Getting to know Olly Grant

Portsmouths Hampshire Boulevard's General Manager

1: See you have been Manager of Hampshire Boulevard for a while now, how long is it? and how did you get into it?

So it’s been a good 13 years since I started as a bar boy while I was still in the Royal Navy as I was one broke ass sailor in dyer needs of funds to keep up with the every night is a Friday night lifestyle. So yeah only a short 11 as GM

2: Do you enjoy it? what do you love the most?

I tolerate it and closing time is the best! Get me to afters!

Joking I actually adore my job, the best time is at 6am in the morning after a big night like pride and the sun is up and people are wading through all the plastic glasses in the garden after a 15 hour event leaving absolutely exhausted but saying what a great night they’ve had. Did I mention looking at the z-read?

3: What do you hate about it?

I hate hate hate HATE anything that involves me having to be there before 7pm. (Oh and Karen’s that say “do you know who I am“ boring bye!)

4: Favourite venue? (other than the one you work in)

Heaven is a guilty pleasure! I miss GAY Astoria! I like a lot of venues all over the country, I love a club full of thousands but I also like the quirky bars that have a one off feel. If the sound and lighting looks and sounds like it’s from Argos then it’s a no from me.

5: What have you been up to this year? how was covid affected you?

this has been a very tough year, one I wouldn’t wish on the bar that banned me but I’m like a dog with a bone I’ll never give up, give me a problem I’ll find a solution. People need an escape from normal day to day life therefor every day we could be open we have been. It’s not been the same but there’s light at the end of the tunnel ️

6: Are you single? Who is your Ideal Guy?

yes, very single. Mates tell me I’m not that approachable on nights out. Inside I have a face of thunder while being in a human pinball machine and in the smoking area there’s just to much going on for in-depth life story. (Still out there for 9 hours) ideal guy...... ugh I’ll know when I see him.

7: Celeb Crush and Porn Crush?

that one from the fall! Irish 🤤

I’m bad at celebs, I’m never going to meet them so I have no interest. People talk about celebs and I have to google them all. Obviously I know the important ones like the GC, Keith Lemon, Blanch from Corrie and Joannie Taylor aka Nan

8: Advice you would give your teen self?

like he would’ve listened! DON’T SMOKE! Oh god! I don’t know, there’s not that much, I mean it’s fun to find everything out and experience most things. I look back and laugh at most things, I find everything funny.

9: What are you goals in life?

I had a lot of goals when I was younger to reach by the time I was thirty and I was very lucky to have them all. I think my next step is to buy a bigger house but in the country. I hate having neighbours, and they probably hate both me and the constant garden party from April-September. Give and take, take and take. I think I always want to better myself and work towards bigger and better but I’m very happy and comfortable in life with amazing people around me and that’s the most important.

10: Favourite Drink?

Luxardo black sambuca. Makes me gag but it’s moorish.

11: Favourite TV/Film you have seen this year, and of All Time?

gangs of London, The crown, pose, Hollywood all lockdown binges I adored. Films I’m not arsed about, although there was a cute one about a boy that didn’t like Christmas that then loved it. The grinch?? Favourite film of all time is studio 54 🥰

12: Anything exciting coming up for Olly Grant?

Exciting....... at the moment putting the bins out is exciting. Roll on festival season!

13: Anything you would like to say?

it’s best I don’t, it could go any direction and often gets me in trouble

14: Where can people see you? let us know your socials/sites

all the usual haunts IG:ollygrant2017 Faceache OllyGrant.

Olly Grant General Manager & DPS Hampshire Boulevard LTD Hampshire Terrace Portsmouth PO1 2QN