The new beach bar at Horseshoe Bay Beach will be fully open within a week, owner Rick Olson said yesterday.

Mr Olson’s Chops Ltd is already selling beer and wine from a concession stand at the site.

He said: “As long as the weather is good, business is good. But it’ll be a lot better once we have an actual bar.

“We’re definitely shooting for next week some time. At the end of the day it comes down to getting the last bits and pieces in place.”

Chops Ltd was awarded the concession in February, after a special panel looked at a total of 16 bids to operate a bar and restaurant at the landmark beach.

Mr Olson, whose company also operates Red steakhouse and bar and Bermuda Bistro at the Beach, both in Hamilton, added that a 3,000 square-foot patio area, which will feature live music several nights a week, was almost finished.

He said: “Everything is going to be very casual, very informal — structurally, we are pretty much there.

“It’s a scramble, but we’re definitely on schedule and we’re looking forward to a really good summer.”

He added that the site was on track to be fully operational by the start of July.

Mr Olson said: “We’re doing a lot of little things, sail shades, furniture, and some of that will take some time, but the bar will be open soon.

“We’ve got a lot of hurdles to deal with, but it will be a great place to sit off and relax when we have finished.”

Other plans for the site include a happy hour, a gift shop and a restaurant offering a mix of Bermuda and overseas cuisine.

When complete, the site is likely to feature a timber roof at the south-western end of the existing building with a deck above and a buttery-style roof above the existing entrance to the building.

Horseshoe Bay Beach was this year voted the 14th best beach in the world by the prestige Condé Nast Traveller magazine.

Mr Olson said: “It’s the single most-visited spot in Bermuda — everything is going to be very casual, very informal and relaxed. We aim to provide a great environment in one of the most beautiful spots on the island.”

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