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Libertines frontman Carl Barât set to open new music venue Justine's in Margate

By: Max Chesson mchesson@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 16:05, 21 March 2023

Updated: 16:05, 21 March 2023

A music venue co-owned by Libertines frontman Carl Barât is finally set to launch - 18 months after it was initially earmarked to open.

The 44-year-old has teased the opening of Justine's in Marine Gardens, Margate, on his Instagram page, revealing it will be "coming very, very soon".

The club will be accessible via a doorway between the former Love Cafe and Tops Pizza in Marine Gardens, Margate. Picture: Google

Barât, whose previous venture Love Cafe closed last November after just over a year of trading, had been set to open the new business alongside the cafe in September 2021, but it never materialised.

The response to the post has been positive, with music-lovers welcoming the news.

One commented: "Exciting news, more fun times for us in Margate."

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Another joked: "Cheap beer or I’m not interested."

The venue, which will be located underneath the old Love Cafe site, sits opposite the former Kabuki bar in Marine Gardens.

Access to Justine's will be via an entrance between the former cafe and Tops Pizza.

Barât had previously mentioned the Justine's brand - which is a joint venture with his partner Edie Langley - on his Instagram page in February last year.

Carl Barat of The Libertines. Picture: Barry Goodwin

It is not yet known when the venue will open, but an advert calling for bar staff has been posted on the Justine's Instagram page.

It even has its first event booked in - an alternative rock night called 'Can't Stop!' from organisers Totally Wired, which is set to make its return after a short hiatus following the closure of Love Cafe.

The club night, which will also play pop punk, emo and metal music, will be running monthly with the launch night on April 22.

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Scott Sibley, who will run and DJ at the event under the stage name Orlandimus, told KentOnline "it was a no-brainer" to get involved.

"I’m incredibly excited, the venue looks amazing inside, they’ve done some fantastic work with it and I can’t wait to get in there!" said the Totally Wired co-organiser.

Carl Barât has been teasing Instagram fans over the arrival of his new music festival, Justine's. Picture:@carlbarat78/Instagram

"When I was given the opportunity by my Totally Wired business partner, who was helping Justine's get set up, to do my own event in my hometown, it was a no-brainer.

"I have a lot of love for the alternative scene in Thanet and I’m very happy to give a place for like-minded people to come together and enjoy the music they love."

The Love Cafe, which opened in September 2021, had promised "great British seaside food with a modern and playful twist".

Working with partner Edie, restaurateur Gizzi Erskine and music manager Ronnie Traynor, Barât said it would take inspiration from the classic greasy spoon, while serving local produce and an array of cocktails.

However, it unexpectedly closed last year and appeared on the market for let, with a price tag of £18,000 a year put on the building by letting agents Miles & Barr.

The Libertines also launched a boutique hotel in the town in 2020, which is still going strong.

The Albion Rooms Residence - a seven-room hotel featuring a restaurant, café, bars and recording studio - is on the seafront in Cliftonville.

Singer Peter Doherty previously described it as "a fine Arcadian bolthole, a perfect place to recline, write, record, with rejoicing and knees up aplenty".

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