Arctic Monkeys Pick Up The Bill At Pub Opening

British rockers Arctic Monkeys were left with a massive $18,500 (GBP10,000) bar bill when a licensing blunder meant they were forced to give away free booze at the opening of their new pub.

Drummer Matt Helders, 22, and ex-bassist Andy Nicholson, 22, who left the band two years ago, had been preparing for months for the opening of The Bowery in the band's home city of Sheffield, England.

But the celebrations went wrong at the last minute when a delay in obtaining a licence for the bar meant the event had to be switched to a private party.

And to avoid getting in trouble with the law, the Mardy Bum hitmakers had to dish out free champagne, wine, beer and cocktails to party-goers.

A source tells British newspaper the Daily Star Sunday that the musicians were upset about the glitch, adding: "It had been a highly-trumpeted launch and people were coming from all over to be a part of it. Everyone obviously had a really great night but it wasn't quite the start Andy and the others had hoped it would be."