Glamourous new cocktail bar Manahatta will create 75 jobs in Nottingham if plans are approved to transform the former home of Red’s True Barbecue. “Nobody Does It Better” is the motto of the award-winning bar group Arc Inspirations, which proposes to open at the site later this year. The same group opened sports and karaoke bar BOX in Thurland Street last November.
The new Nottingham Manahatta will evolve the brand whilst staying true to the original concept – a glamorous, exciting cocktail bar inspired by the beat of New York.
The new venue will feature an art-deco style back bar, inspired by the New York speakeasy but made modern by LED moving artwork, while guests will continue to find neon touches around the venue. Manahatta’s mirror ball has also been evolved into a giant NY-inspired ball drop to bring light and movement into the venue.
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Nottingham City Council would have to approve the proposed change of use and refurbishment of the building in Queen Street. The proposed launch of Manahatta is this autumn.
It’s Arc’s second attempt to open in the city. Plans for the former French Connection shop in Victoria Street were thwarted due to the historic former bank’s listed status – with later moving into the building instead.
The new venue will build on Arc’s city centre growth strategy, which is key to its ambition to operate 50 bars by 2030. It recently secured £7m in extra funding to accelerate its expansion across the UK, with a £4m loan from its banking partner, HSBC UK, alongside a £3m equity injection from its shareholders, including BGF which has backed the business since 2022.
Arc Inspirations co-founder and chief executive, Martin Wolstencroft, said: “We’re thrilled to be doubling our presence in the centre of Nottingham, a city where we’ve seen great success in the last year, and we can’t wait to unveil our new-look Manahatta design. BOX Nottingham was one of our best ever launches, and we can’t wait to bring the beat of New York to the city this year.”
The new site will create around 75 new jobs, with members of staff able to partake in training and development programmes.