A lost Manchester venue was one of 'the' places to be seen for 20 years in the city.
Specialising in trendy cocktails and stylish food, The Living Room in Manchester quickly became the city’s place to be seen, with both local and non-local celebrities venturing there. One of Manchester's most popular nightlife spots, it was the first in a series of venues.
Founder, the late Tim Bacon, opened the first Living Room on Deansgate in 1999 and built up the chain to 13. It was not particularly living room-like in style, as the original décor was very modern for its time with expanses of dark wood, big windows, plants and candlelit tables.
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But it did have a guest list other restaurants would die for – with footballers, reality stars and Hollyoaks and Coronation Street cast members heading there over the years. By day, it was the ideal place to do business over a leisurely lunch, or recharge your batteries after a hard day shopping.
And by night the stylish bar and restaurant was ideal for a night out with friends or colleagues. In June 2007, the Living Room chain of restaurant and bars did change hands in a £28m deal.
It was sold by founder Tim Bacon to Newcastle-based Ultimate Leisure Group, run by former Yates chief Mark Jones. At the time, Australian-born Mr Bacon, a former actor, said the sale had been prompted by key shareholder the Restaurant Group’s desire to withdraw from the high street.
He said: "In one respect it’s sad to sell Living Room without taking it to its natural conclusion but in another respect this is an opportunity to do it all over again."
What are your memories of The Living Room on Deansgate? Let us know in the comments section below.
In its lifetime, things continued to get even more exclusive for entry into the cloaked VIP rooms of Deansgate celebrity haunt. And in 2010, the establishment refurbished its upper levels - the Lounge and the Study - with plans of, streamlining its current membership to reflect the new exclusive look.
In its heyday, The Living Room attracted hordes of footballers, reality stars and actors. One image shows former Manchester United footballers in the early 00s heading into the venue.
In September 2010, The Living Room celebrated its 10th birthday in Manchester, unveiling a glitzy new look with a party for celebs and VIPs. Guests included Coronation Street stars Michelle Keegan and Brooke Vincent, Emmerdale starlet Sophie Powles and glamour model Rhian Sugden.
In October 2016, David Beckham made a high-profile appearance with his whiskey brand Haig Club. Over the years, numerous celebrities frequented the bar and in more recent years in its history, The Living Room was visited by TOWIE's Jess Wright, Geordie Shore's Chloe Ferry, Corrie's Sonia Ibrahim, Jsky, and Gemma Atkinson.
In 2016, the bar was given a major refurbishment and filled with pastel coloured seating to replace for the former dark leather. It also hit headlines with its cocktail 'trees', with drinks such as pornstar martinis suspended from a brass metal contraption, the MEN previously reported.
But it wasn't all good news for The Living Room though, which was targeted in a drive-by shooting in 2017 following a similar incident in 2014. Five shots were fired at the bar in 2017, while a charity fundraiser starring Ricky Hatton took place inside.
But by September 5, 2019, the MEN reported that the glamorous cocktail bar on Deansgate was closing its doors after 20 years in the city. Stonegate Pub Company, the group behind the bar, announced they would be turning the site into a Be At One, which felt "best fits the location".
At the time, a spokesperson for Stonegate Pub Company said: "Stonegate Pub Company, which owns the Living Room regularly review the estate and which business best fits the location. The company are transforming the Living Room into a new look Be At One which will open in November."
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Following the announcement, many MEN readers took to Facebook to share their memories of The Living Room in Deansgate. Kaz Mcvey said: "Many a night in there many moons ago then onto sugar lounge ...remember that."
Pam Hartford posted: "Remember being in there one evening way back when and the creme de la creme of Manchester United players at the time rocked up!." Elsa Humphries wrote: "Lovely memories. Fish and chips, and champagne."
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Aarun Jones commented: "I used to go there all the time when I was between 11 - 16 years old, with my parents. Although, I've only been once in the last 13 years. Most memorable moment for me was seeing Fabien Barthez sat at the bar having a cigarette." Nicola Stubbs commented: "Happy happy times in this bar!."
Mark Richford said: "I remember seeing David Beckham and Justin Timberlake getting into Ferrari's outside." John Duffin said: "Wow we will miss this bar had some great Saturday afternoons in there."
Sonja Jones commented: "Loved going in to people watch, sad to see it close." Steve Cross posted: "Gutted some good memories in there."
Sharon Holland wrote: "So sad ,my husband proposed to me there." And Claire Sweeney posted: "What a shame I love the living room. Lots of great memories there."
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