A new live music venue offers comfortable surroundings, fabulous wine and a full food menu and is giving local performers the audience they deserve.
Turkuaz Wine House and Bar on Bolton Road (not to be confused with other Turkuaz venues in Eastbourne) offers music performed by accomplished musicians on Fridays and Saturdays as well as the opportunity for new talent to perform, be discovered and attain their own gig booking at the venue.
I recently attended a Friday night offering and enjoyed good food, fine wine, first class musical entertainment and a convivial atmosphere. There are few better ways to while away an evening by the seaside.
Aside from the regular music nights, something pretty special happens at this Turkuaz venue twice a month on Wednesdays…
Open Sessions Live made its debut on Wednesday 1st July, transforming the intimate Mediterranean venue into a welcoming showcase for some of Sussex’s emerging musicians. Judging by the success of the opening night, these events – held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month – look set to become regular fixtures on Eastbourne’s live music calendar.
Unlike many traditional open mic evenings, Open Sessions Live takes a more curated approach. Rather than performers simply turning up and waiting for their turn, each event features a carefully selected programme of five to eight artists. The line-up is designed to flow naturally from one performance to the next, creating an enjoyable evening for audiences while allowing each musician to shine.
Expect an eclectic mix of musical styles including folk, singer-songwriter, blues, jazz, pop and rock, with performers travelling from across Sussex to take part.
The venue itself plays a significant role in the evening’s appeal. Turkuaz Wine House & Bar offers a cosy, relaxed atmosphere where guests can enjoy Mediterranean food and wine while listening to live music. The intimate surroundings create a far more personal experience than a traditional concert venue, allowing audiences to connect with both the performers and the music.
One of the highlights of the launch evening came after the official programme had ended. Rather than packing away, many of the musicians remained, gathering around tables with guitars and other instruments for an impromptu acoustic jam session that continued late into the evening. Even when I attended a professional Friday night performance, this occurred. As I left the venue, people were still gathered around the piano joining in with the impromptu sing-song. Friendships will be formed and nurtured this way. Organisers hope these informal performances will become a regular tradition, encouraging musicians attending as audience members to bring along an instrument and join in once the scheduled performances have finished.
Audience participation plays an important part in the concept. At each event, visitors are invited to vote for the performers they would most like to hear again. Each month one artist will be selected as the Featured Artist and invited back for an extended headline performance.
The longer-term ambition is even more exciting. Should the sessions continue to grow in popularity, organisers hope to launch a dedicated Open Sessions Live Festival in 2027, showcasing the Featured Artists chosen by audiences throughout the year.
Programme Director, Tomáš Široký, believes Eastbourne and its surroundings already possesses the musical talent needed to make the idea a success.
Musicians who would like to perform can apply to appear at future sessions. Every application is individually considered, and successful performers receive use of a professional PA system, a complimentary drink and photographs and short video clips of their performance.
Sessions are scheduled for the first and third Wednesday of every month at Turkuaz Wine House & Bar, Bolton Road, Eastbourne, with free admission for audiences.
Whether you’re looking to discover new local talent, enjoy an evening of live music over a glass of wine, or perhaps even perform yourself, Open Sessions Live promises to be one of Eastbourne’s newest and most enjoyable musical evenings.
