Mahiki schedules September for Manchester opening

The international tiki bar brand has confirmed that it will open its first Manchester venue this autumn, at One Central Street off Albert Square.

The bar is being brought to Manchester by a joint venture between co-founder Piers Adam, and Gary Neville, director of GG Hospitality and St Michael’s Partnership.

In December, Neville confirmed that the joint venture had signed a 20-year lease on the 4,500 sq ft unit. The building forms part of the 100,000 sq ft Albert Estate portfolio owned by the London-based LJ Partnership, which has invested £28m in acquiring and refurbishing the properties.

Mahiki’s Mayfair venue

The venue will feature the group’s standard tiki décor.

Split into two rooms, in market materials Mahiki Manchester said it will deliver “a next-generation Tiki concept which promises to capture the essence and elegant fun of the original 1950s Polynesian Tiki bars”.

A cocktail lounge area, accessible from Southmill Street, will be open daily from 5pm and 12pm on Sundays for brunch. As part of the venue’s refurbishment, the original windows have been restored, while the newly installed kitchen will serve up unique Pan-Asian bar snacks and sharing platters.

At 11pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the club will open, with its own entrance on Central Street.

Mahiki’s club atmosphere centres around music, exotic dancers, and elaborate cocktails, such as its signature Treasure Chest, which includes rum, brandy, peach liquor and champagne.

Mahiki first opened in London’s Mayfair 12 years ago, and prides itself on its popularity with A-listers and members of royalty.

Other branches are open in Marbella, Sardinia and Dubai.

Neville said: “We are excited to bring Mahiki to Manchester, it has long been known in London and overseas for offering a unique, fun experience and now Manchester will be able to offer that too. Mahiki is a global celebrated nightspot and we know the people of Manchester will not be disappointed, it will add a new exciting vibe to the ever growing nightlife scene in the city centre.”

Zerum Consult acted as planning consultants on behalf of GG Hospitality and Mahiki, and work is currently underway at the premises.