The launch of Durban's new arty eatery and bar, Sidebar, promises an artistic reboot for a city that has a reputation for being rather laid back. Nestled between restaurants on Durban's trendy Florida Road, Sidebar is little more than a passageway transformed into a creative epicentre.Owned by businessman Marco Santoniccolo, Sidebar began its existence literally as a side piece to his chief enterprise, Durban's iconic restaurant Spiga d'Oro. The space has in the past served as a waiting area for guests of Spiga.But the restaurateur was looking to rejuvenate the artistic elements of the city and decided to put his side business to work as the base from which to promote his "Brother from Another Mother" programme, which kicked off last month.It runs every Thursday and aims to provide much-needed exposure for Durban artists from all walks of life.Last Thursday's gig saw first-time exhibitors Mieke Ola Jansen and street artist Taik mix the work of architect Nikhil Tricam with colour-filled, off-beat pieces from graffiti artist "Damn Vandal" Shaun Oakley.Santoniccolo said the motivation behind Sidebar was to create a place where artists, established and otherwise, could come together to showcase Durban's talent."Brother from Another Mother is a platform where everyone can be connected; it is a place where friends are treated like family."A lot of the time artists are sidelined. We want to bring together the city's different artistic disciplines and try to retain them in Durban."Artists tend to leave us for other parts of the country and then make it big. Let's harness them here," Santoniccolo said.The bar/restaurant is reminiscent of the New York street art scene, with its red brick walls, cement floors, minimalist wood and iron furniture, coupled with an eclectic mix of tunes and a quirky entrance fee of "R20 or a tin of canned food for charity".The exhibited work, though, has a distinctly Durban flavour."We aren't trying to be like any other city. In order for Durban to stand out it has to have its own identity."We want it to be seen as a modern African city."There is so much substance and energy in town. We shouldn't waste it."..