Nicosia, Cyprus. A recently opened jazz venue in Nicosia’s old town, Ella Jazz Bar, is hosting weekly live performances and weekend programming in a dimly lit setting designed for intimate concerts.
A new venue on Lykourgou Street
Ella Jazz Bar has opened at 7 Lykourgou Street, in the space where The Winery previously operated. The venue features table lamps, jazz posters and a lit “Ella” sign above the stage, with a colour palette dominated by red and brown tones.
Weekly programme and performances
On Thursdays, the Charis Ioannou Quartet—Charis Ioannou, Marios Spyrou, Kyriakos Kesta and Christos Yerolatsitis—plays classic jazz standards and improvisations and performs at the venue every week. Friday nights are dedicated to vinyl with DJ Harrycane, also known as Charis Ioannou, and Saturdays feature the Charlotte Storer quintet.
Sound and audience interaction
The venue’s music is presented at a high volume with clear sound. During performances, Ioannou speaks to the audience without a microphone, contributing to an atmosphere described as similar to a concert in a living room.
Owner’s background and aims
Owner Marios Polycarpou said he wanted to open a jazz bar because of his interest in the genre and his attachment to Nicosia’s old town. He previously co-owned Patio Cocktail Bar and later worked at club Zoo outside the Venetian Walls, which he has turned into MAP Boutique Hotel.
Polycarpou said he began learning saxophone two years ago and joined a university jazz workshop led by Charis Ioannou. He said his research led him to view jazz as a niche interest, comparing it to fine dining in terms of audience size and the occasions when people choose it.
He said MAP remains the core of his business, while Ella reflects his focus on music. Polycarpou also described jazz as “a very democratic language,” and said he played on stage during a jam session after the bar opened.
What type of live music night would you be most likely to attend at a venue like Ella Jazz Bar?