Alexander's Of Skipton Launch Gin And Jazz Night

I've had Pie and Pea nights, Prosecco and Pizza nights but Gin and Jazz sounded a bit different.

Just as Alexander's Bar and Kitchen is a totally different dining experience from what is the norm, the Gin and Jazz night held on the first Tuesday of every month is a unique and rewarding experience.

The jazz aspect comes courtesy of rising jazz and blues star, Tom Seals who has been described as "amazing!" by Jamie Callum. Seals has appeared alongside Gregory Porter and Jools Holland, artists who I have seen live many times so it was interesting to see how he performs when mentioned in the same breath as these artists who are all at the top of the modern jazz and blues hierarchy.

With a touch of Curtis Stigers in his voice Seals is a pianist who has a wide repertoire which ranges naturally from Jamie Cullum's These Are The Days to jazz standards such as The Lady Is A Tramp to What A Difference A Day Makes. Slip in there the Michael Jackson classic, Man In The Mirror and Sam Cooke's Twistin' The Night Away and you have the perfect cocktail for a night of Gin and Jazz.

The next Gin and Jazz Night will be held on Tuesday 6 November at a cost of £15. On arrival you'll get a Gin and Tonic followed by a tasting board with two Harrogate Tipple Gins – blueberry and gooseberry, and a Harrogate Tipple Rum with mixer and garnish pairing suggestion, plus a masterclass talk from Steve Green, owner of Harrogate Tipple which will take place in the parlour.

Harrogate Tipple is run from the Ripley Estate by Steve and Sally Green, who already supply 50 bars, restaurants and shops. Apparently most of their botanicals are grown in the 750 year old garden within the castle walls.

You could easily if you wish, dine at the restaurant and have Seals provide the soundtrack to your dining and not indulge in any of the gin as there is no charge for the Gin and Jazz nights.

The evening menu has some very tempting offerings such as Harrogate Blue Cheese Beignets for starters, followed by scrumptious Treacle Beef as a main. If you have enough room left then the selection of Gelato and Sorbet comes in 6 flavours, so tasty and authentic I thought I was in Sicily not Skipton.

A great evening awaits to banish away those mid week blues with the jazz of Tom Seals and the fine dining of Alexander's, served with a locally sourced tipple.

Alexander's, 4-6 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JZ
Telephone 01756 228030
www.alexanders-Skipton.com