Maidstone is to get its first Irish pub - featuring a painting of the archangel Gabriel dressed as Superman, 'bubble' cocktails and a karaoke night which celebrates terrible singing.

The Nellie Gerkins Irish Pub is the latest addition to Mu Mu, a night hotspot in Week Street and opens tomorrow.

Mu Mu owner Ciaran O'Quigley, who designed the pub himself, said: "Our front bar was one of the last places to be refurbished and I thought Maidstone and probably Kent needs to have a good Irish pub.

"They are the most famous pubs in the world."

The ceiling is decorated with tiles from a "grand New York hall" dating back to 1898 and lights from a ship which has been languishing in Panama port since 1973.

Two renaissance-style paintings with modern twists by artist Slasky, described as "weird and strange" by Mr O'Quigley, were commissioned and will adorn the walls.

British and Irish tapas, such as beef and Guinness pie, boiled bacon and cabbage, and of course, homemade sausage rolls, will be on the menu.

Staff have also created 'Nellie Gerkins' cocktails, with bubbles forming from the glass.

When the visitor bursts the bubble they will receive a face full of smoke infused with the flavours of their beverage.

However, the mini-dishes and intriguing cocktail creations will not be available tomorrow, launching instead on Tuesday.

Further down the line, when communal singing is once again allowed by the government, there will be a karaoke night twice a week, but you may want to bring ear plugs.

"We are particularly interested in bad singers, normally the best singer gets a prize but there's going to be a prize for the worst singer," the entrepreneur said.

The evenings will be presided over by Ivy Paige, a Maidstone songstress and burlesque star who got Olly Murs hot under the collar when she appeared on TV show The Voice.

"Maidstone and probably Kent need to have a good Irish pub..."

As for the name of the pub? Nellie Gerkins was the childhood nickname given to Mr O'Quigley's daughter, Sineal, who is "a bit embarrassed" about its use.

The pub has capacity for up to 80 people but because of social distancing around 30 people can fit in. Visitors will sign in and there will also be temperature checks.

Mr O'Quigley, who has run Mu Mu for 28 years, is known for his novel and ambitious ideas. Last year, he launched a laundrette in the style of a 1920s speakeasy club at Mu Mu.

Five years ago, he was granted permission to build a five star hotel in the town, called Hotel Mu Mu, in Brewer Street.

Before getting the go-ahead, Mr O'Quigley described the concept of the hotel "Claridge's meets Willy Wonka" and said he wanted it to rival the world's best resorts.

However, plans for the hotel have been "on the back burner" because of the pandemic, and construction has yet to start.

The new pub will be open from 5pm tomorrow.

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