A NEW cocktail bar is set to open in Billericay High Street - promising a “vibrant, warm and welcoming experience” with top of the range cocktails and Italian-inspired bar food.

Lee Munyard, better known by his DJ alias “Lee Charles” and his partner Cristina have taken over the empty building and are transforming into “Cristi’s Bar” ahead of an opening later this month.

The site has a history as a bar and a pub, however the new owners have insisted they will be here to stay and ensure the new business becomes a thriving success.

Lee said: “We’re extremely excited. We’re really looking forward to it. Billericay needs a place like this.

“It’s a nice opportunity for a new vibrant cocktail bar in the area. We are going to have Italian inspired bar food such as pizzas and easy-going bar food.”

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The couple are planning a host of events, including bottomless pizza and Prosecco brunches, with DJs and live music.

Cristi’s Bar has a few signature cocktail drinks such as a tiramisu martini and “CBD sours” which is gin with CBD, elderflower, aquafaba (chickpea water) and green matcha tea powder. They will also be offering “Pink Dragon” - pink lemonade vodka with Sicilian lemonade, dragon fruit and mango cooler.

Lee added: “We’re planning for a soft opening around late September. We will be inviting all our friends, family, suppliers, and anyone who helped with the building.

“We’ll be hosting food for them, taste tests and a practice run before we officially open up.”

The interior of the bar will have a green theme, and the owners want to make it a “warm and welcoming experience for everyone”.

The building previously operated as Momo Lounge, which took over from Pasha’s Lounge. Before that, it was the White Hart Inn.

Lee said: “This building has been a few different things over the years, it’s really important to let people know this is our own business and we are a brand-new project.”

The bar is located at 138 High Street in Billericay.