If you want to meet up with friends and socialise over a coffee on an evening in Swansea, it can be really hard to find somewhere to go - that's what business owner Gurinder 'Inder' Singh told us when we asked what led to him opening a new late-night coffee shop and bar in the city centre. Whilst Swansea boasts a wide range of restaurants and bars serving food and drinks until the early hours, before he opened his business, the only place that served coffee late at night was McDonalds, he said.
With this in mind, Inder wanted to set up a business where people could go and relax with their friends and enjoy a cup of coffee on an evening and while the hours away. 'Chuckaboo' - which means 'close friend' in Victorian English - is now open on The Strand in Swansea city centre.
Its front area operates as a coffee shop serving hot drinks from 6pm to midnight, whilst its back area and outdoor space serves as a bar area for those who fancy a drink or two close enough to Wind Street to go there afterwards for a night out but far enough away to have a more relaxed atmosphere.
Inder came to Swansea almost 20 years ago as an international student at university. He told WalesOnline that it's very common abroad, particularly in African and Asian countries, for people to go out for a coffee late at night, especially students and young people - and that it's becoming more and more popular in the UK too. Inder hopes his new venue will become a popular hub both for people who have moved to Swansea from abroad and anyone that just likes a coffee on an evening. You'll also find other hot drinks and alcoholic drinks on the menu. You can get the biggest Swansea news stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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Discussing how his business came about, Inder said: "I came to Swansea as an international student studying computer networks and electronics 19 years ago and I've loved the city ever since. I was working for Dominoes and I decided I wanted to have my own place.
"This place used to be Box Bar, we've gutted and refurbished it. We offer affordable drinks, close to Wind Street. It's perfect for students but also for local people too. 'Chuckaboo' means 'close friend' and this is a place you can socialise with your friends. We're open from 6pm to 12am at the moment from Wednesday to Sunday and we'll be extending our opening hours very soon.
"We've got a coffee shop here and a bar area with beers, wines, cocktails. We offer popular international drinks and we'll be changing them every three months, we'll have Indian beers, Japanese beers etc. And from March 16, we'll start offering live music here."
Summarising what Chuckaboo offers, Inder added: "Chuckaboo cafe-bar can be best described as a cosy and casual hangout spot with a vintage vibe that supports local artists and musicians. It aims to recreate the old Monkey Bar/Mozarts-style entertainment by hosting live music performances and art exhibits. The atmosphere is laid-back and unpretentious, with cheap drinks that cater to all budgets!"
"Chuckaboo is not trying to cater to the gentrified hipster scene but instead aims to be a welcoming space for everyone who enjoys good music, art, and drinks," he added. "It's a place where people can come together, connect, and have a good time without feeling judged or excluded. In summary, Chuckaboo is a community-oriented, affordable, and inclusive establishment that provides a platform for local artists and musicians to showcase their talents while offering patrons an enjoyable and relaxed experience."
Chuckaboo can be found on The Strand in Swansea City Centre. Currently, it's open Wednesday to Sunday from 6pm to midnight.
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