Five years of foliage, DJs and community on Lord Street
House Of Ivy, one of Southport town centre’s most recognisable café bars, will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Friday 21 August 2026 with a day‑long party and evening events inviting customers to join the milestone.
The Lord Street venue has become known for its striking interior, where colourful foliage covers walls and ceiling and a prominent ‘God Is A DJ’ sign overlooks the DJ booth. The space doubles as a relaxed café bar during the week and a party spot at weekends, hosting its popular Singalong Bottomless Brunch with local singer Hayley Murray and DJs providing live entertainment.
- Anniversary date: Friday 21 August 2026
- Location: Lord Street, Southport
- Owner / operator: Paul ‘Spender’ Drewery
- Offerings: food and drink deals throughout the day and into the evening
The menu combines classic café bar dishes and lighter choices, featuring pizzas, salads, sandwiches and cakes alongside gluten‑free options and a World Of Slimmers healthy menu. That range of food, coupled with music events, has helped the venue maintain a broad appeal to both daytime visitors and evening crowds.
“And just like that, we are five years old! I
The venue is run by well‑known Southport operator Paul ‘Spender’ Drewery. His hospitality career in the town includes a spell as head bartender at Maloney’s Bar on Lord Street and later responsibility for the bars at the Scarisbrick Hotel while working under general manager Tony Cafferkey. During that time, the Maloney’s team he led won a Best in the World title for flair bartending.
Drewery later opened Bar Humbug, which became Spender’s Bar on Scarisbrick Avenue and was operated alongside House Of Ivy before Spender’s Bar closed two years ago. The operator has also been active in the local charitable scene, supporting causes such as the Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice and taking part in the hospice’s Strictly‑style dancing fundraiser at the Prince Of Wales Hotel last December.
Why it matters for Southport
House Of Ivy’s fifth birthday is more than a single celebration. The venue sits on Lord Street, a central artery for Southport’s retail and leisure economy, so its continued presence speaks to the resilience of independent hospitality operators in the town centre.
For residents and visitors the venue offers:
- an accessible daytime café bar with varied menus, including dietary options;
- a weekend entertainment draw that supports nearby businesses through increased footfall;
- community engagement via fundraising and local events.
The anniversary events—advertised as running throughout Friday and into the evening with food and drink deals—are likely to attract regulars and newcomers alike. That sustained trade plays a part in keeping Lord Street lively, especially as operators navigate changing patterns of town‑centre retail and leisure use.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | House Of Ivy, Lord Street |
| Years in business | 5 (from opening to 21 Aug 2026) |
| Owner | Paul ‘Spender’ Drewery |
| Signature event | Singalong Bottomless Brunch (Hayley Murray and DJs) |
Customers have been invited to visit the Lord Street venue on Friday to join the fifth birthday celebrations. For Southport, the occasion will be a reminder of the independent hospitality that helps define the town centre’s character and night‑time offer.
As the town continues to adapt, venues such as House Of Ivy will be watched by nearby traders and residents alike — not just for the parties they throw, but for the role they play in keeping Lord Street busy and welcoming.
