A new nightspot with a touch of jazz is jamming in the customers.

For the Bourbon Street lounge -- an addition to Coconut Rock in Hamilton's Reid Street -- has been voted a hit after only three weeks of operation.

The $100,000 lounge, designed to look like a warehouse conversion, offers live jazz and blues at weekends in a bid to liven up the Island's nightlife.

Co-owner Gary Silva said: "Bermuda is ready for something different and there is nowhere in the Front Street or Reid Street area which has jazz or blues.'' Mr. Silva added that the lounge was created to appeal to the older, more sophisticated market in Bermuda, as well as to offer visitors something different.

He said: "We want to cater to that clientele which has maybe stopped going out so much.

"And tourists need something to do -- they come here and ask for entertainment. The Island needed something different instead of the same old thing you get in Hamilton.'' The addition to the existing Coconut Rock restaurant and bar -- a Reid Street fixture for almost seven years -- held a glittering black tie opening last month.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell cut the ribbon and Progressive Labour Party leader Jennifer Smith was among the VIP guests.

And since then, public reaction to the new nightspot has been favourable.

Mr. Silva said: "Everybody says it's great -- people really seem to like it.

It's got a whole different atmosphere, totally different from the restaurant.'' Bourbon Street is dominated by a circular bar at one end -- reminiscent of a warehouse-style freight elevator -- and a small stage at the other.

And The Royal Gazette figures prominently in the interior decoration -- for the wall-coverings are old pages from the newspaper painted over to give a rough and wrinkled look to the walls.

Mr. Silva said: "It's very jazzy, quaint and stylish and a very comfortable and relaxing place. It's meant to look a bit like a warehouse, although a very unusual one.'' The opening is also set to provide a popular addition to the Hamilton tourist trail and feelers have already been put out to cruise lines visiting the Island.

Mr. Silva said:: "Once we get our advertising in gear, I'm sure a lot of tourists will come here.

"I have talked to people from the cruise ships and they are very keen to send passengers to us.'' Bourbon Street is primarily designed to provide live music -- initially at weekends only.

But Mr. Silva said it was designed to be multi-purpose and can be used as an overflow for the restaurant at busy periods like lunchtime.

He added Bourbon Street also had potential for private parties and sports events.

And if all goes well with Bourbon Street, the Reid Street premises offer even more scope for expansion.