A former registry office in Consett is set to be transformed into a cocktail bar, food and entertainment venue later this year.
MR MIX HQ is planned for the former Believe & Be building on Medomsley Road, with a provisional opening date of Friday 16 October 2026.
For owner Dan Bowes, the history of the building gives the project a personal connection.
“It was once the local Registry Office, and it’s actually where my own birth was registered, so I like to say I was literally Registered to Party Here!”
The venue will combine cocktails and food with live entertainment and themed experiences.
Plans include bottomless brunches, sing-along cinema events, live music, tribute acts, themed nights, festive events, private parties and community activities.
The building will undergo a complete refurbishment before opening, including new interiors, neon lighting, artwork and disco-inspired décor.
Although work on the venue is still to be completed, hundreds of people followed the countdown to the location announcement, while tickets for several planned events have already been sold.
The opening programme includes The Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing Along Cinema on 23 October and a Grease Sing Along Cinema event on 27 November.
Christmas events are also planned, including Miranda Newton Christmas Brunches on 5 December and A Country Christmas Bottomless Brunch with Mikey Pipe, also known as Mountain Man, on 12 December.
Further plans include festive Grinch experiences, an Around the World New Year’s Eve celebration and additional themed events towards the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.
Dan said:
“I wanted to create somewhere people don’t just visit for a drink, they come for an experience. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, singing your heart out at Rocky Horror, enjoying Bottomless Brunch with friends or simply popping in for cocktails, I want every visit to feel memorable.”
The business has also introduced Founder’s Cards and Founding Supporter Cards ahead of the opening.
Dan added:
“The support from Consett has honestly blown me away. People were buying tickets, becoming Founding Supporters and backing the idea before they even knew where HQ was going to be. That means more to me than I can ever put into words.
I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s commented, shared a post, bought a ticket or simply wished me well. You’ve backed me throughout my journey with MR MIX over the years, and now you’re helping me turn my biggest dream into a reality. I genuinely can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors of MR MIX HQ.”
MR MIX HQ is aiming to open on Friday 16 October 2026, subject to planning approval, licensing and the completion of refurbishment work.
