Up Close: Honiton's Bruv's Bar celebrates second anniversary of opening

Bruv's Bar in Honiton marked its second anniversary on Sunday, September 19 – and the family who own and run it have plenty to celebrate.

Despite the stresses and challenges of the Covid crisis, which took hold just six months after the bar opened, they've kept the business going and retained all their staff, as well as their many loyal customers.

Now they're bringing back live music and entertainment, extending their food offer, and enjoying being back in the heart of Honiton's community.

"It's so nice seeing familiar faces again and seeing people enjoying themselves," says Lauren Hagon, one of the bar's owners.

Food tailored to what the community wants

While it's known as a lively entertainment venue, Bruv's Bar is also popular for its food – and the team are keen to offer something to all members of the Honiton community. For that reason, they've just introduced a 'Senior Citizens' Special' – a reasonably priced menu for OAPs, who can get a main course, dessert and a drink for £8 from Monday to Friday 12-3pm.

"The menu will change constantly – the chefs are excited to use their talent and flair for flavour to create new dishes," said Lauren.

Bruv's Bar has also begun to serve food between 3pm and 5pm, something new for the business. Customers get a kids' meal for half price when they buy a main course or burger Monday-Friday 3-5pm — ideal for parents on the school run.

Deliveries of Sunday roasts are back, too. During the second lockdown Bruv's Bar started offering home deliveries from its food menu, and the roast dinners proved particularly popular. So they're now available again – for eat in, home delivery or takeaway.

Live music, quizzes, sport and more

Also back on the menu for Bruv's Bar is a full programme of entertainment. There's karaoke on the second Thursday of each month, and open mic on the last Thursday. The bar hosts regular quiz nights, screenings of live sport, and lots of live music.

"We really like to support the local bands, and a lot of the ones we've got coming up are Honiton born and bred," said Lauren. "We're already booked up until Christmas."

There will also be a themed Halloween night and lots of festive music and entertainment in the run-up to Christmas. Remember Christmas parties and socials? Bruv's Bar is looking forward to hosting plenty of those.

'We all have our different strengths'

As most local residents know, Bruv's is very much a family concern, with its five-strong management team all related to one another. The Hagon family have lived in Honiton for 20 years, having moved from Essex. Jim 'Bruv' Hagon had dreamed of running a pub for many years, and when the former Café 102 became available, he jumped at the chance to take it on – winning over the rest of the family to help with the management and day-to-day running of the bar.

They spent three months refurbishing the interior, which needed a lot of work, as the former café had lain empty and disused for three years. Jim built the wooden tables, seating and bar himself, while a team of friends helped with the rest of the renovation. The rest of the team, who came on board to open and run the bar, are Jim's wife Sharon, his son Reece, his daughter Shannon, and Lauren, who is Reece's wife.

Lauren admitted that it isn't always easy for the family to be working so closely together. "We try to keep it all very separate from our personal lives – we have times when we say, 'we're not going to talk about the bar!'" she said.

"But we all have our different strengths and we just let each other get on with it – and our staff are all amazing too.

Bruv's Bar now sponsors our What's On page!