Hospitality on the up in Ipswich street for nightlife

Since the Covid pandemic, Ipswich has struggled in terms of nightlife offerings with various places closing, and people not able to or wary about going on nights out.

However, with the success of Ipswich Town bringing more fans to the town, and people noting a need for a more vibrant Ipswich in the evenings, there seems to be three streets, all in a stretch, which are thriving in terms of customers and things for people to do.

These being Falcon Street, Dogs Head Street and Tacket Street.

The Falcon on Falcon Street is part of the establishments thriving along the streets (Image: Google Maps)

Along Falcon Street, there are pubs such as The Falcon and the soon-to-open Miami Bar, along with eating establishment Lanterns and potentially another few, with the former Luna Bar being bought recently.

Dogs Head Street features both Revolution and Pulse, offering entertainment to the early hours, along with the much-loved The Plough on the corner.

In Tacket Street, there are pubs including Shamrock, Distilled Republik, Bloom Lounge and the recently opened Supper Club.

Revolutions on Dogs Head Street in Ipswich (Image: Tom Cann)

The restaurants in the area for people to choose from are also booming, with people able to choose from Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Turkish and desserts.

Not to mention the number of takeaways along the three streets and pubs just off those roads, such as Bar Twenty One, Spread Eagle and Cock & Pye.

The opening and success of the businesses has caught the eye of community leaders.

Ipswich borough councillor John Cook, portfolio holder for communities and ward councillor for the area, said: "It's great to see Ipswich on the up.

"It supports a lot of jobs and contributes to the economic prosperity over time.

"It's pleasing to see that while there are still tough times for many trades, it's good to see this as a sector that is heading in the right direction."

Councillor John Cook (Image: Newsquest)

Steven Wells, owner of the Shamrock in Tacket Street, which recently celebrated its first birthday, said: "There's lots of negativity around Ipswich, it gets talked down a lot.

"When we took over, there were closures happening.

"But now, with places opening up along the three streets, it's bringing vibrancy to the town.

"Ipswich now has a number of quality bars that cater for all kinds of people, from traditional drinking holes such as us, all the way to places that are palatial.

"Then you have the young people venues with their crazy music and strobe lighting and all the rest, and some quality restaurants.

"The hospitality sector is live and kicking."

Gus Chrysomalis and Steven Wells from Shamrock (Image: Tom Cann)

Gus Chrysomalis, manager at Shamrock, said: "With all the venues opening, it will be like it used to be.

"There's new fresh bars and places coming in which is good.

"It's really good for the students too that they have something and somewhere to go because they have been cut short in the past with not having many venues to choose from, but it really is changing now."

David Thomas recently took over the keys of the former New York Exchange Bar in Falcon Street.

This space is to become Miami Bar in mid-September.

Mr Thomas said: "As a hip-hop artist, I have spent a lot of time in a lot of the venues in this area, so it’s an honour to be able to now be part of it as a bar owner, not just as an artist."

David Thomas is opening Miami Bar on Falcon Street, adding to the list of hospitality options (Image: Charlotte Bond)