The owners of two of Bolton's most popular nightspots are opening a stylish late-night cocktail bar.
Sam Zegrour and Charlie McGrath have owned Level nightclub and The Dragonfly pub in the town centre since 2015 and will open Circle, in Nelson Square, this weekend (August 26). It is based in the unit previously occupied by The Bar and has undergone a huge re-fit since the owners took over the site in March.
Sam told the Manchester Evening News that the bar is aimed at a slightly older audience than the 18 to 24 demographic of Level.
"A lot of people who've been coming to Level since it opened may be getting to the age where they feel like they're almost graduating out of it because they're too old to enjoy the product, so we're trying to give them something," he said.
"For the past seven years, while we've been in Bolton town centre, a lot of people have told us that they want more nice venues. It became available in March, it's between our two current sites and we just wanted to create something that's a bit more cocktail-led for those people who usually stay in outlying areas like Horwich or Ramsbottom, to try and get them into Bolton.
"In our view, it's perfect timing for this place because other valued bar operators are investing in this area. We can't do it on our own because it's all well and good having a nice bar but it helps if there's some semblance of a circuit for people coming into the town to bar hop because they're not going to get a taxi from an outlying area to just go to one bar."
Throughout the bar are neon lights, with phrases such as 'The Inner Circle' and even a Sugababes lyric - 'Round Round Baby Round Round' illuminated. There are a number of circles emblazoned on the walls, with foliage hanging from the ceiling, close to the bar area.
Sam said that he wanted to create a classy space, while keeping it fun and without making it 'pretentious'. One of the quirkier elements is a buzzer on the wall in the ladies' bathroom, accompanied by a sign daring customers to press it; when they do, Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack' blasts from the speakers and a disco ball starts lighting up the room.
"We want it to be really accessible and fun," Sam added. "The music will be predominantly R'n'B but is going to be quite eclectic and may change over time depending on feedback. We don't want to isolate the music policy and put people off coming in. It's been a case of us trying to find the balance of it being nice without it feeling pretentious or off-putting to people.
"At the end of the day, we're in a working class town and we don't want to be a stuck-up or pretentious - that's not us. We're asking people to try and dress nicely but it won't be used as a stick to knock people back because it'll be more about a group's overall attitude and manners. As long as there's no faux pas like man bags or sportswear you should be fine."
Cocktails on the menu are priced between £7.50 and £9, with names such as 'The Inner Circle' and 'Peachy Keen' alongside classics such as strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas. There are also two mocktails - 'Designated Driver' and 'Got Work at 8' - available for £4.50. Madri lager and Tiny Rebel Cali Pale are available on draught, while several flavoured shots, wines, spirts and champagne are also available.
Circle opens this Friday (August 26) from 8pm until 3am. For more information, visit the Circle Facebook page.
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