January 29, 2019 12.08 pm This story is over 62 months old

Swampy Johns shuts after four months

Could a new concept be on the cards?
Photo: Emily Norton for The Lincolnite

Swampy Johns American showbar has closed down after just four months.

As previously reported, Swampy Johns opened on in the former Status bar on Silver Street in Lincoln on September 14.

Although the Harewood Group are still ongoing tenants of the venue, which was open four days a week, it is unclear what the future will hold for the premises.

A spokesperson for the Harewood Group confirmed to The Lincolnite that the business has closed down. They said managers are looking at “new concept ideas and possible new brands”, but nothing is yet confirmed as to what will happen next.

After a £350,000 renovation, Swampy Johns looked like it could impress with multiple bars, a dedicated stage for live music. There was also a kitchen serving, pizzas, chips, burgers and much more all night.

A new band formed just for the venue called the Swampy Johns Junkyard Dogs, who were down to perform every Friday night with Saturdays playing host to acoustic sets.

The venue created over 40 new jobs for Lincoln with floor staff, security, the band and other performers.

Does the building have an unlucky recent history?

The building that was formerly Chicago Rock Cafe reopened as a nightclub called Wahoo in January 2011, but it closed in early 2012 due to the previous management going into administration.

After the closure of Wahoo almost seven months previously, the disused bar was replaced by a new venue for party goers called Quo Vadis, which officially launched on December 7 2012.

It reopened as Status Bar & Nightclub in 2014, but in May 2016 it was announced it had closed after owners battled with licensing restrictions.

Then along came Swampy Johns in September 2018, which lasted just four months.

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