| VME | 01 Feb 2010 |
Entourage, Manchester - A new “super club” has opened in Manchester promising premium drinks and a fun atmosphere
After running Tiger Tiger in Manchester for three years and branches of Bar 38 from London to York before that, Doug Waldron has gone into business for himself. He has opened a new “super club”, Entourage, in Manchester city centre’s entertainment complex, The Printworks, spending close on £1million on kitting it out, including £80,000 on a new sound system.
It holds 800 people over two floors, with four bars, and aims to be “oriented around the roots of the city, moving away from cliché London nightclub remakes”. Waldron designed the venue himself with business partner Brett Collier who also has a background in the leisure industry. “No professional designers have been used in the design of the venue from day one,” Doug says, a little controversially. “When you are starting up for the very first time, designers can be a large expense which you could do without.”
Doug describes it as a “cool slick look”, with a palette from white to black via greys and silvers, highlighted by almost rainbow-like tracks on the ceiling. Large print images have been created by local artists, including a scene of Manchester at night measuring eight feet by 12 feet.
“We have brought together Manchester traders, from builders and electricians to sound engineers and joiners,” Doug says. “We’re grateful for all the local support and feel it’s a key aspect to creating the right atmosphere within the venue.”
Working with JL Shopfitters, they have created distinctive furniture to suit the venue, from armchairs covered in classic cow hide to large comfortable booths with illuminated champagne tables on the first-floor balcony. There are several snug booth areas across the four bars, which are all bookable.
The dancefloor, overlooked by the balcony, has a sound and lighting system installed by VME of Knutsford. The DJ booth is suspended above the dancers and is a real focus point of the venue. It features Kling and Freitag speakers, with two massive bass bins either side of the dancefloor.
Using the venue’s existing bar systems, they have put together a back bar which, according to Doug, is good enough to rival a bar like The Living Room rather than the standard club offering. There is also full table service on the first floor. “We are a nightclub so we’re not trying to be a full-on cocktail bar but we do drinks well as we come from a style bar background,” he says.
Working with bars manager Johnny Culkin who has joined from Mojo in Manchester, they have a cocktail menu made of classics plus variants such as fruit Mojitos.
The spirits on offer reflect the support they have received from Pernod Ricard UK, such as Absolut and Havana Club, complemented by a range of other premium brands. An experiment in offering bottles of spirits at tables accompanied by carafes of mixers has proven a success, with a list ranging from Belvedere and Grey Goose to Jägermeister and amaretto.
Champagne is delivered to tables with sparkling flames on top which “catches everyone’s attention so that they want one too”, Doug explains. As well as Pernod Ricard’s Mumm as house champagne, brands include Cristal, Dom Perignon and Veuve Clicquot.
The club has been attracting top local DJs, with events such as the glamorous Saturday nighter Glitterati and student night Rumours. “We want to bring a bright and happy atmosphere to Manchester, filled with nostalgia and adding a fun and vibrant atmosphere to the scene for all to enjoy,” Doug says.
Who did it
Sound and lighting: VME
Furniture: JL Shopfitters
