Sevens fans popped in for a pre-rugby drink The new gay friendly and long promised Ivy Bar is open in Lower Cuba Street central Wellington. It replaces the previous bar which flourished first as iMerst Bar and then as Club Ivy for several years on the site of the long gone Wellington rep theatre in Dixon Street which converted into a straight strip club in 2012. The new bar is just a stone's throw away at 49 Cuba Street in the basement of the old James Smith's department store below a clutch of boutiques and a gym. "We're not a gay bar in the purist sense," says manager and self described 'head honcho' Grieg Wilson, "but we expect to pick up quite a lot of the younger gay and lesbian community, especially on a Friday and Saturday, just as with the old Club. "Whether we can host functions, live music and events remains to be seen. We'll see how things develop. But in the meantime there's plenty of sit down space and all the popular cocktails. We've also got a god wine list." The bar is open Tuesday to Saturday 5PM to late and is already attracting a lively crowd.