A music venue that first opened in Camden 15 years ago has been named bar group of the year at a major award ceremony.

The Blues Kitchen in Camden High Street got an early birthday present at the National Pub and Bar Awards, when it was handed the accolade along with its stablemates in Shoreditch, Brixton and Manchester.

Part bar-restaurant, part gig venue, it is loved for its live music, Southern-style cocktails, and barbecue food.

The music venue has a bar serving southern cocktails and restaurant offering barbecue foodThe music venue has a bar serving southern cocktails and restaurant offering barbecue food (Image: The Blue Kitchen)

After opening in Camden in 2009, a second venue arrived in Shoreditch in 2014, and Brixton the following year.

Owned by the group behind The Jazz Cafe and The Parakeet in Kentish Town, The Blues Kitchen estimates that since opening they have served 925,000 burgers, 6 million chicken wings, and 5,250,000 cocktails including 800,000 'good ol’ Margaritas'.

Meanwhile they have hosted live performances by musicians spanning six continents including The Libertines, Seasick Steve, The Mystery Jets, and Gary Clark Jr, Errol Linton, Acantha Lang, Baby Shambles, Remi Banton, and hosting the world's longest blues jam, lasting 100 hours.

Steve Ball, Founder and Director of The Columbo Group which owns the venues said: "At The Blues Kitchen, we're all about making sure our guests have an awesome time. This award really shows how much hard work, creativity, and love our team puts into everything here, from the amazing food and drinks to the live music.

"This year, we're celebrating The Blues Kitchen's 15th birthday! We're more than just a bar and restaurant – we're a full-on music venue. Since 2009, we've hosted over 100,000 hours of live music, featuring both legendary acts and fantastic homegrown talent. We're excited to see what the next 15 years bring."

The venues serve barbecue food including burgers, chicken wings and ribsThe venues serve barbecue food including burgers, chicken wings and ribs (Image: The Blue Kitchen)

On Friday July 19 they are celebrating with a 15th birthday party at their branch in Curtain Road, Shoreditch, featuring a line up of house bands from across the years including The Beekays - The Blues Kitchen’s very first band in Camden, and She’s Got Brass - an all-female brass band who joined the venue earlier this year.

Sets of classic 1960s and 70s soul, rock 'n' roll and blues, a nod to the sound The Blues Kitchen launched with, will blend in with the modern R&B, neo-soul, funk and hip hop that is heard at the venue today.

Throughout the night, the “BK Street Band – The Brassholes” will be playing their trumpets all around the venue.