You may remember back in episode 21 that I discovered that D’Loovi’s Music Bar was no more. It had closed, and was now just a characterless non-descript bar. The day after I was searching on Google for bars in George Town Penang and I spotted the name D’Loovi’s. At first I thought it must be an out of date link on the internet. I clicked on it, and noticed a review from 2 moths ago. I soon discovered that D’Loovi’s music bar was still alive but in a different bigger location.
The old D’Loovi’s on Love Lane back in 2018
It was Thursday night and I went out in search of the new D’Loovi’s. I followed Google Maps on my phone to the location. It was dark and I stood at a cross roads, but no sign of bar on any of the four corners. It was in a part of town where there were no signs of life at all. I almost gave up and then I spotted a small sign on the wall of a building.
The sign in the shape of an arrow said D’Loovi’s, so set off down the very dark street. I could hear some very faint music coming through a door. I slowly pulled the door open and then suddenly, there was a loud dinga-linga-ling coming from one of those old fashioned bells, that hung above a shop door, half a century ago. Inside the door was a wooden staircase, and from somewhere beyond the top of the stairs I could here a voice shouting “hello”. I shouted “hello” back and slowly climbed the stairs. At the top I emerged into a very large, dimly lit, old fashioned warehouse space. I was met by Kelvin, the owner, who was just getting ready to open up. He served me a beer and we got chatting.
Kelvin (orange T-Shirt) and barmaid Kate share their food with me.
Kelvin was explaining to me that he moved venue before covid, due to the ridiculous yearly rent increases imposed upon him by his previous landlord. At this point one of his bar staff – Kate arrived with take-away food. She then shared out this food with Kelvin and myself. All three of us sat at the bar and tucked into the most delicious, braised duck thighs with gravy, and rice. Some people are just so nice and generous.
Anyway I spend most of the night talking and drinking with Kelvin. He tells me that business is slow at the moment, but their highlight of the week is a Tea Dance for the elderly on a Sunday afternoons. He explains that they put on a live band that plays music for the aging locals to dance to. Glen Miller, The Beatles, that sort of thing. He convinces me to come along on Sunday afternoon.
To be continued…..