JJ’s anniversary celebration

ISLAND institution JJ’s Irish Restaurant is celebrating its 15th anniversary this weekend with a nostalgic step back in time.

UK pop tribute act Boyband Legends will provide the sounds of yesteryear by performing hits from Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, Take That, Boyzone, Westlife, Blue, New Kids On The Block, 5ive and Boyz II Men among others.

JJ’s manager, Siyana Koycheva, said: “It’s going to be a great night and the three guys will perform all the ’90s male groups’ biggest songs.

“The reason we chose them for our anniversary is because this music was popular during the period when JJ’s was growing up. Even now when we play this music on the weekend, people still remember and like it.”

The venue has grown into a firm favourite with both expats and locals alike, and has long been known for its traditional Irish fare and friendly atmosphere.

Bulgarian national Siyana says the reason for JJ’s success is the attentiveness of the staff and the quality of its food and events. She said: “We have been awarded the title of ‘best bar on the island’ several years running and have won best bar food awards too.

“We offer great atmosphere, great events and the staff are very friendly. In fact, most people know the staff members by name and that doesn’t happen in every place.

“When you walk in it feels like home, you can come here any night of the week and see someone you know, or a friendly face.”

Throughout its 15 years, JJ’s has remained remarkably unchanged, with all of the furniture and decorations having been flown in from Ireland to create a truly authentic feel.

However, it has had to adapt to survive and was briefly closed five years ago following a move by MPs to close bars and restaurants attached to one and two star hotels.

The move prompted an outcry with letters pouring into local newspapers. After walling up the entrance to the neighbouring Al Bustan Hotel (which has since been demolished), within three months JJ’s secured a touristic restaurant licence and was back in business, much to the delight of regulars.

Today JJ’s continues to pull in customers from across the island thanks to its popular theme nights including karaoke, pub quizzes and ladies’ nights, plus screening top soccer action.

Siyana joined the company seven years ago as bar supervisor before taking over as manager four years ago, a task which is no small feat in a profession usually dominated by men.

Her success, she says, all comes down to hard graft and respect. “There are not many female bar managers and yes, it’s a difficult job, but I love it,” she explained. “It’s a male driven profession but if you stay strong, prove you’re tough enough and work hard you can win people over.

“My security team consists of 15 Bahraini guys and if you can earn their respect, you’re obviously doing something right.

“In turn, I respect every member of staff and we’re very close. Most of them call me ‘mum’ because whenever they have a problem, they come to me and talk because we’re not just colleagues; we’re like a big family.”

As for the future of JJ’s, innovation is on the menu and Siyana promises that the venue will continue to live up to its catchphrase: ‘often copied, never bettered’.

The Boyband Legends show starts at 10pm on Friday and tickets cost BD5.

Call Siyana on 39329083 for more details.