Manbar Marketing Director Chris Amos explains why they are dropping the venue’s cover charge…
Manbar has dropped its entry cover charge. Why was it in place anyway, and why drop it now?
When we took over the premises licence, we inherited with this an annoying compulsory cover charge for after 10.30pm every night. Which is no good as Manbar is a late night bar, not a club. Our door security even had to turn Alan Carr and his mates away one night because of the clause in our licence, and they didn’t want to pay entry. So as you can imagine, we have been rather keen to remove the charge as soon as possible. And now Westminster Council has granted us permission to not have to charge. This means Soho now has a late night gay venue, with free entry always. It’s perfect for men who leave Comptons, Rupert Street or Duke of Wellington who just want to have “one more” before heading home for the night.
How would you describe the venue to a newbie who has yet to visit?
Manbar is very much a bar for ordinary guys. Since we opened the clientele we have been getting is a mix of businessmen, bears, some gym fit guys, mainly 30+. The overall vibe though has been attitude free and very social. The bar is a little bit cruisey, and I am sure plenty of guys have hooked up at Manbar already. The interior design with the sexy murals on all the walls has created lots of curious onlookers and we are still getting incredible feedback from newcomers. Visitors to London love Manbar and literally hundreds have had their photo taken with our Prince Harry mural.
How have the past six weeks gone since opening?
The early days has exceeded our expectations. We are really happy with our bar staff and customers. They are a good mix of nice people. We always planned for this to be a bar that accepts everyone without being too cool or trendy. The tie in with Pleasuredrome has been a success too, many people coming here first and getting a voucher to go to Pleasuredrome afterwards.
You’ve introduced DJs every night, too…
Manbar is going live every night with London’s finest DJs including Alessandro Londra, Brent Nicholls, Rich B and Pier Morocco. I can’t recall there ever being a late night gay venue in Soho open late where there is no cover charge to get in with DJs spinning until the wee hours. Manbar is the place to go for that “one more drink” after the bars shut. And with January here, what better way to go out and save some money!
• Manbar is at 79 Charing Cross Road, Soho, WC2H 0NE.
