Huddersfield music lovers have been left heartbroken after a much-loved bar called time for good.
King Street’s Zephyr Bar closed its doors for the final time on November 1 after 11 years as one of the most prominent independent venues in the town’s night life scene.
A favourite haunt of numerous musicians who crafted their art on its stage over the years, it championed local music and helped to showcase the wealth of talent in the area and will leave a hole in the town’s live music scene.
But a member of the Zephyr team revealed that the spot, which was also popular among craft ale drinkers, will not be left empty for long, as they sold it to new owners who want to turn it into an independent bar of their own before Christmas.
They will now focus on their other recently acquired venue on Byram Street, Zephyr Bar and Kitchen, which used to hold Neaverson’s Tea House and Restaurant.
One of the first independent venues to open in the town centre, Zephyr Bar attracted many fans throughout its life, who expressed their opinions on Facebook after a message was posted to announce its closure.
One said: “Really sad news – you have no idea how much the place meant to me and my friends. It really is such a great place and I’ve so many good memories.”
Others added that it was the ‘end of an era’ and several turned up to the bar for a final drink on Saturday night.
But the building’s survival should come as a positive update to some Facebook posters, who were worried that the venue would not be used as a bar again.
Commenting on the decision to close, staff member Lee Alderman, whose brother Scott owned the King Street premises, said: “It’s a shame but it was just time for a change.
“It’s been an amazing 11 years – we’ve had fantastic customers and the venue did really well.
“Gigs were a big thing there and we will continue to have some music at our Byram Street bar but we have been focusing on jazz and swing to create a 1930s prohibition era vibe.
“There are lots other places which are great for live music and we’re glad that the venue will be able to continue to carry on as an independent bar.
“Refurbishment work will start there in the next few weeks and I think they intend to re-open it before Christmas.”
Click below to see a gallery of lost Huddersfield nightclubs from the 1990s that are no longer there. Do you remember them?
