New bar, Thirst trap coming to Union Street in Hereford

Thirst Trap will be opening in Union Street on Friday 13 September- but new owners Ed and Stuart don’t seem to be phased by the scary date!

Opening in the former Babar premises, the quirky new establishment run by Ed Payne and his husband Stuart promises to bring a vibrant nightlife scene to the Hereford street.

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Describing the new venue, and its atmosphere, Ed said: “Its a place for all people to come and have a party, no matter where they've been or where they're going.

"You can just be yourself, and you're all welcome. But we are priding ourselves on being a safe, inclusive space for everyone, so discrimination or music snobbery is not for us.

"We are also hoping to provide a community space for local DJs, both amateur and seasoned; somewhere for them to network, learn new skills and take to the stage without judgement or pressure".

The launch night on Friday September 13 promises to be seismic. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

The couple decided to take over the former premises when the previous occupants shut up shop, adding that Barbars had left "such a legacy behind".

“We always loved the place, and so many others did too. So when it came up for sale, Stuart and I looked at one another and said: let’s do it!

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“We're both veteran bar managers from former lives and have really enjoyed bringing this project together. And of course we wanted to keep some of Barbar’s spirit, but in our own unique way; a theatre for clubbers, music lovers and pioneers," he added.

The new bar is set to be a safe and inclusive community space. (Image: ROB DAVIES)

Ed who is a Hereford native says he left the city for the capital in 1998, because “Hereford was not seen as a particularly progressive place for a young gay man such as myself in the 1990s.”

Ed described it as being a “full circle moment” to open an entertainment venue on the very street that he used to" try and escape from", and to "recapture the iconic subculture of 90's Hereford nightlife but in a much more accepting world".