Reid Street is about to sizzle with a new nightspot unlike any other — one that could bring live music, employment for Bermudian entertainers and some much needed pizazz to Hamilton nightlife.

Entrepreneur Kemar Maybury — of Smokin’ Barrel fame — has a plan to turn the top floor of the building at 88 Reid Street into the Smokin’ Barrel Tropical Cafe.

It will mean flavourful food, entertainment and a lot of colour much like the Latin-themed Mangos in South Beach — but tamed down to a Bermuda version (which means Bermuda Fire Dancers on the back terrace!).

“One of the main reasons we want to emphasise live music fusion is because there are a lot of underworked Bermudian musicians with a lot of talent,” said Mr Maybury, the son of renowned Bermudian drummer Kevin Maybury.

“When things really get going in a couple of weeks,” he said, “it will at first be mostly private or special events — BYOB events because there is no liquor licence.”

But the food will take its cue from the smoked and barbecue style for which he has come to be known. Mr Maybury anticipates there will be an opportunity for a liquor licence concession later.

“We have the whole top floor. We are going to be using a unique concept for Bermuda, using a special menu, fire dancing and a host of other things. It is a large location and we are going to be able to accommodate a fair number of people. We’re talking about live entertainment — fusion.”

Mr Maybury said that once the summer is over, he will need to make some renovations to realise his dream.

“It’s going to be a sizeable undertaking. It will take something like a $250,000 to get the full concept executed.

“We are going to use it as an entertainment hub, but also as a venue that people can book — for a party, a wedding or any type of function. We would basically host the event with our catering and our live music or entertainment.

‘We will look to do this three to four times a week over the summer and then completely shut down and construct the full concept. That will include the whole new kitchen, and work we will do to dress up the outdoor terrace.

“If you’ve been to Mangos (in Miami and Orlando) you’ll have a better concept of what we are looking for — the kind of place where so much is going on, you will truly be entertained.

“It’s what you used to be able to do in Bermuda: go out to eat in the city or the hotels and get a show with dinner — something that was coordinated and rehearsed, whether it was a carnival costumed performer or the fiery limbo dancers, or a live band.

“You just don’t see that very much on the Island anymore. Miami takes it to the next level, exciting and high energy, but a tasteful and intriguing version can be delivered in Bermuda.”

Smokin’ Barrel Tropical Cafe will use the old Green Lantern building as a kitchen and have the food quickly delivered and served on Reid Street.

The company will also use the Serpentine Road kitchen to create a menu for delivery to central areas of the Island.

Mr Maybury said: “We have a brand new $10,000 food smoker outside of Green Lantern, which is impressive.”

He was the businessman behind Vitalzymes, the popular Black Seed-based health drink sold around Bermuda by word-of-mouth. He operated Mill Reach Grill in Pembroke selling barbecue and jerk chicken.

He still operates the Smokin’ Barrel food service from a concession trailer on Front Street near the bird cage.

He said: “The concession trailer is in for repairs right now, so we have the mini Smokin’ Barrel in its place outside the Ferry Terminal.”