Alistair Julius is one very modest man.

The owner of Blush, the recently launched cocktail bar in Ashley Cross, Poole, set his heart on becoming a musician from the age of 16 which – in his words – he’s achieved “quite successfully”.

Something of an understatement.

In fact, growing up in Southampton Alistair and his friend, a certain Craig David – yes, that Craig David – played all over the city as a duo.

It was before they were even legally old enough to be let through the door of some venues with Alistair on vocals and Craig as the DJ.

For the last two decades as MC Alistair he has been one half of UK garage outfit Artful Dodger, performing to sell-out audiences in this country and abroad with Producer/DJ Dave Low, pictured left.

Alistair said: “We play all over and I get to travel the world.

“We don’t stop really. Up and down the country and I’ve just got back from a tour of Australia.

“I’m really lucky to do what I do for a living.

“It’s brilliant and I absolutely love it.

“I get to travel and see people from all walks of life.”

Now 42, Alistair acquired the former Mai Thai Cocktail Bar in Bournemouth Road last December.

It reopened under its new name, Blush, two months ago after a major refurbishment costing more than £200,000.

Alistair, who in the past has owned bars in Southampton, said: “A friend of mine pointed it out and said there’s an opportunity here.

“We knew immediately it would be a great venue but it needed a bit of TLC (tender loving care) and a rebrand.

“It was previously quite dark and a late-night venue.

“We wanted to bring the opening hours forward and open it up to the local community.”

Blush has 120 covers inside and out and standing room of 320.

The eight staff include a cocktail barman formerly with Soho House – “our cocktails are top shelf and he’s absolutely amazing” said Alistair – and a chef from a five-star restaurant.

The food ranges from oysters, lobster, burgers and salads during the summer to up to ten different types of pizza, including ‘build your own’, now winter is approaching.

Currently open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from afternoons until 2am, Blush also offers Saturday brunches.

Alistair said: “We want to hang our hats on brunches so on a Saturday you’ll be able to come here, regardless of whether it’s themed or not, and have a bottomless brunch.

“We want to be the home of the brunch, 12 to 5pm.

“On my travels, and especially over the last three or four years, I’ve seen brunches become really popular.

“You pay your money, you get fed, have a show and you can drink.

“Over the next few weeks a full waterproofed and warm marquee will also be going up outside.

“We’ll be serving hot chocolate, Baileys and other drinks and offering pizzas and other food.”

Although it’s only been open two months Alistair said Blush – named after the pink in the bar’s colour scheme – was attracting a loyal customer base, both local and further afield.

He said: “We’ve had really good feedback but are still making changes with regards to sound and what people see when they come in.

“We’ll keep changing stuff until it’s absolutely perfect.

“Some people are coming from as far as Bristol and Portsmouth to see us.

“We have some great acts coming up in the evenings.

“Obviously with my UK garage background I’ve got some friends involved.

“We’re multi-faceted with great day parties and then it changes in the evening.

“We’re also doing private receptions and parties and I’d like to get corporate bookings as well.

“I think we’re onto a winner here.

“A lot of passion and thought has gone into it.

“I’ve got a great team around me and I’m happy with the way things are going.

“We’ll definitely look at opening other venues and, eventually, a roll-out to other parts of the country would be the dream.

“But let’s nail this one first.”

• blushpoole.co.uk