Nightlife Exchange comes to Portrush
The initial phase of the project last November saw 14 countries swap global nightlife all on the same night when Ireland swapped with Argentina.
This time the entire club was transformed into an Argentinean carnival with stilt-walkers and tango-dancers performing throughout the night. Kellys and Lush! were lit up by fire-eaters and inspired theatrical acts. Visitors to the venue were welcomed at the door by Paka the fire-breathing horse. More than 200 metres of fabric was used to dress the venue, creating a sea of light blue and white, the colours of Argentina.
The music acts also drew on the best of Argentinean culture. DJ David De Valera, who represented Ireland in Buenos Aires as part of the Nightlife Exchange in November, brought a fusion of UK dance music mixed with the best beats from South America. Joining him on the bill was Lush’s resident DJ Col Hamilton who played crowd-pleasing tunes with an Argentinean twist. Completing the line-up was one of Northern Ireland’s most popular DJs, Cool FM’s Connor Phillips.
The project also gave visitors the opportunity to sample South American-inspired drinks including an Argentinean take on the Smirnoff Mule. There were golden tickets up for grabs on the night with each one giving exclusive access to a VIP area where Smirnoff Argentinean cocktails were served.
Even the food menu was Argentinean-themed with chori dogs and papas fritas on offer.
Smirnoff’s Brand Manager for Ireland Carol McHugh commented, “Smirnoff was recently voted number 30 in the Social Brands 100 report. It was the highest-ranking alcohol brand and the only spirit on the list that ranked brands on the basis of their social interaction with people. Campaigns such as the Nightlife Exchange Project only serve to reinforce the commitment of the Smirnoff Company to consumers by creating dynamic, one-off nightlife experiences”.
