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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Dianne Bourne

The underground bank vaults hailed "perfect place for a party" with pool tables and drinks safes

The hidden bank vaults beneath one of the city's most luxurious hotels are ready to host party nights open to the public. Club Gilt underneath Hotel Gotham also boasts opulent private dining rooms with golden safes filled with booze, and a dining table that converts into a pool table.

The venue has already been causing a buzz on the city's social scene, with TV star Helen Flanagan billing it "the perfect place for a party" on her Instagram. Helen posted pictures in the subterranean club and party rooms on a fashion shoot with Oh Polly last month.

Now, the club is preparing to host the first of its ticketed cabaret nights in the main events space, which is accessed via a "secret" staircase uncovered during the works to upgrade the former bank vaults. The club is located two floors beneath Hotel Gotham's main entrance at the very top of King Street.

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It's the first time the secret bank vault has been open to the public - after years spent under dust and grime. Hotel bosses have lavished almost £2m to create Gilt - named in the banking and 1930s theme that the hotel is known for.

The private dining room includes the pool table that converts into a dining table (Hotel Gotham)

They decided to develop the space to offer a new events experience to private members, as well as hotel guests. The spaces in the vaults are also available for private partys, events and even weddings.

Former Corrie star Helen was one of the first to have a look around the completed space last month, and was suitably wowed by it all. She posted a video walking around the club on her Instagram stories and said she never wanted to leave.

She told fans and followers: "It's my favourite hotel in Manchester, it's so cool, if you've never been you need to go."

Explaining the club space she said: "They've just opened the new events space. It's amazing it's so, so cool.

Helen's Instagram video included the golden padlocked safes in the private dining room (Instagram/@Hjflanagan)

"The Gotham used to be a bank in Manchester and it's got the original vaults it's so cool I went there to have a look at the events space. It's like the perfect place for a party."

The video included a closer look in the private dining room with its huge pool table, and the quirky golden safes that are padlocked. But these can be opened to reveal an amazing drinks cabinet for guests to select their beverages or cocktails of choice that dedicated party hosts prepare.

Gilt club - inside the hidden vault underneath Hotel Gotham (Hotel Gotham)

The King Street hotel is known as one of the world's most luxurious hotels. It is based in the stunning former Midland Bank building, designed by Edwin Lutyens and known as "the king of King Street".

Entertainment in the main Gilt club space starts from Friday, February 9, and upcoming events include jazz nights, soul sessions and big band party nights. Tickets are available to buy now for the events priced from £49 which includes a glass of prosecco on arrival and a sharing platter of food.

The main club space in Gilt - pictured on a party night at Christmas (Hotel Gotham)

There is also a special Afternoon Tease event on March 4 from 1.30pm, with entertainment from West End favourites The Globe Girls. Tickets at £59 include a full afternoon tea with glass of prosecco.

Meanwhile the private dining spaces in the vaults are also now available to book. In this space, you can choose from a raft of tasting menus for your party, ranging from £79 per person to £119 per person.

The huge old bank safe doors are still in the vaults (Hotel Gotham)

In the private dining room, guests will be served by their own private chef and sommelier for the occasion. There's also a large video screen for those who want to use it for a private screening, watch a football match or host a corporate presentation.

The opulent Art Deco theming of the hotel runs throughout the club space - even through to the toilets. Here you'll find striking tiling as well as some original banking details that still remain.

The main hotel is spread across the top floors of the Art Deco building, with the hotel's restaurant Honey found on the sixth floor, while private members bar Club Brass is on the roof.

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