Two Reid Street diners, Champions Bar and Locals Restaurant, has recently expanded with the establishment of Locals II, which has opened upstairs in the Champions bar.

Owner Delvin Bean said the idea behind the new restaurant was that customers of Locals - celebrating nine years in business at the end of March - wanted a sit down dinning experience rather than take-out food.

Mr. Bean bought the old Ambassador's Club above Locals with his brother and partner Allen Bean Jr., and has run it as a members club. He has now thrown his doors open and created Hamilton's most authentic Bermudian seafood restaurant.

Mr. Bean also said there existed a perception that Champions was an "after hours" club, but he clarified that it was a private club, with a membership fee to get in.

Mr. Bean is very excited about his new venture.

"This is the closest thing to red lobster on the Island," he said. "The restaurant has a lively atmosphere, the prices are great, the food is immaculate." Outside patio dinning is currently in the works, and the entrance to the restaurant will soon be moved to Joel's alley.

In the age of "Buy Bermuda", Locals boasts it has never sold anything but Bermuda seafood.

Mr. Bean and his brother often fish together aboard Nothing's Easy. One reason they opened the restaurant was to create another avenue to sell their fish, in addition to the 12 restaurants and supermarkets Island which already buy it.

"We are the only restaurant on the Island that has sold 100 percent local fish for the last nine years," said Mr. Bean.

Some customers have asked that imported fish be served. Mr. Bean says he is close to breaking down and offering imported fish and shell fish, but says the vast majority of the food in the restaurant will remain locally caught and grown.

And, with lobster season ending in two weeks, Mr. Bean advises making reservations as the last days of the crustacean feast can get extremely busy.

He recalls that in previous years, he has sold literally hundreds of lobsters in the dying days of the season.

In addition to managing Locals, Locals II and Champions, he is also bar tender, part time DJ, and often fishes with his brother, starting before the sun has broken the horizon, sometimes only hours after closing the bar.

Closing time varies and Mr. Bean says: "As long as the register is ringing, we are open." Looking back at nine years in business, Mr. Bean said: "It's been nice, it's been an experience. I would also like thank all the customers on behalf of the management and staff."

Mr. Bean this week plans to launch an advertising blitz to promote Locals II, selling it as Bermuda's most authentic seafood restaurant.