"That’s why there are no tables set up there, because that’s the dance floor."
Pointing to the empty space next to the bar, manager at Dracula’s, Alin Scortari, described how in the evening customers at the restaurant will regularly break into song and dance. Dracula International Bar and Restaurant, on Rice Lane, opened less than a year ago in the former Fratelli Italian restaurant and Prince Alfred pub.
Many people will have walked or drove past the venue and wondered what exactly is behind the doors. Alin said it’s an "experience" , as well as a Romanian restaurant.
READ MORE: Restaurant takes hundreds of bookings after Michelin star awards
The 38-year-old, originally from Romania but now living in Bootle, told the ECHO: "It’s an amazing atmosphere, it’s an experience. It’s common for people to have their dinner here and then when the DJ starts the music the customers start to dance here in the middle.
"That’s why there’s space free because when the music starts everybody comes in the middle and dances. I’m very happy because it’s working very good so far. I hope for the future to see more English customers come and enjoy it."
Every Friday Saturday and Sunday the venue also hosts karaoke parties after 8pm. There is also regularly live music in the evenings.
At Dracula customers can order traditional Romanian food including, Pastrami, chicken schnitzel, cabbage rolls, polenta and meat platters. However less traditional meals including pasta and a children’s menu is also available.
There are many glowing reviews online, with the venue racking up an impressive 4.9 stars out of five on Google. One reviewer said: "First time, and we loved this place, from the outside it really doesn't look quite nice, but when you get in it's different, food has been amazing and super generous portion sizes."
Another said: "Fabulous experience. The food was fantastic and the wine, served in the traditional Romanian way was excellent. Service was superb and great atmosphere. Will definitely go again."
While a third added: "Visited here to try out more restaurants in the area and was very happy with this place! Was greeted and welcomed really quickly, our waitress then let us settle in and gifted us all a shot each of a traditional Romanian drink which definitely had a kick but was really nice."
Speaking about the food, Alin said he encourages customers to try something different and doesn’t charge them if they don’t like it.
He said: "I always say to the customers, if you like the look of something on the menu, you can try it and if you don’t like, you don’t pay and then you can choose something else. But I find a lot of the time they do enjoy it."
Asked why the restaurant is named Dracula, Alin said the owner simply liked the novel which is thought to be inspired by the 15th-century governor Vlad the Impaler. The restaurant attracts a mixture of locals from Liverpool and from the Romanian community.
Alin said he was "surprised" by the variation and hopes more people will visit. He said: "I thought maybe we won’t attract English customers because of the international food , I said maybe it’s not for the English customers here but I was surprised.
"We get a lot of English customers here. I was also surprised by how very nice the people are. Also the neighbours here come in often to have a drink and try the food."
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