It's less of a Cuban revolution - and much more of an evolution - for Sandbach tapas restaurant and cocktail bar, Cubar. 

The popular venue has been under new ownership since September when local restaurateur Nagendra Kumar-Prasad - owner of Sandbach fine-dining Indian restaurant K2H - saved it from closure. 

But after ongoing confusion about the reopening, Nagendra and his team are reassuring Sandbach residents that everything they loved about Cubar - live Latin music, artisanal cocktails and an array of tasty tapas dishes - is still very much part of the new offering.

"In general we're thrilled at the response to the reopening and we've been incredibly busy in the run up to Christmas," explains Nagendra.

Cubar is a popular place on Sandbach's High Street. (Photo: Nub News)

"But it's funny - there are still people who don't know we've reopened or think it's now Indian food or that we're not doing food at all. I can definitively say none of those things are true."

Although there's a new kitchen team in place, the menu remains similar - Spanish-influenced small plates designed to share - and key members of the management team have returned to support Nagendra in Cubar's next chapter. 

"Of course, as we evolve we'll be making some changes and improvements and we're already putting our own stamp on it," says Nagendra.

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"But we'll always listen to customer feedback and we want to keep the elements that people know and love. My intention has always been to savour the essence, upgrade the experience." 

Like most people in Sandbach, Nagendra discovered plans to close Cubar when it was announced on social media. But, believing it was too good to disappear from the town's culinary scene he met with the former owners and agreed a deal to save it - and more than 20 jobs in the process.

"Social media is great," laughs Nagendra. "But I think the initial message about closing went far and wide and we're still letting people know that the new Cubar is open and very much here to stay."

Amongst the changes that have been made, Nagendra has introduced a new lunchtime menu offering sandwiches, quesadillas and wraps. And for the first time ever, Cubar will be open on Christmas Day. 

"We're offering a Cubar-style Christmas menu that includes a champagne cocktail, a tapas-style starter plate and then a more traditional Christmas main course," says Nagendra. 

"We also have a special New Year dining package and, of course, the bar will be open into the early hours with a DJ so there's something for everyone whether your preference is to eat, drink or party," says Nagendra.

"We have exciting plans for 2025," adds Nagendra "We'll be expanding the bar area and adding an outside bar for the warm weather months. We also have a new consultant chef starting in January who'll be adding some exciting dishes to the menu. We can't wait for Sandbach to come on Cubar's journey with us."

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