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Carolyn Wednesday 04.11.09, 1:03pm
A swish new bar opened under Afflecks Palace last week with a glitzy launch. The Blackdog Ballroom is a complete antithesis of the small and dark bars that populate the Northern Quarter. This new addition is a really large basement space, with a stylish New York feel to it.
With its late night gourmet burgers and pizzas, draught beers, pool tables and secret rooms policed by password, the stylish new concept is sure to be popular.
The concept is the result of collaboration between Ross Mackenzie, of One Central Street, Sankey’s and basement club The Purple Pussycat, and Jobe Ferguson, the man behind the success of the Northern Quarter Restaurant and Bar.
The venue is to be found in the space underneath Afflecks Palace, previously inhabited by Isobar and Club North. The space has recently housed some of the UK’s best DJs and live music acts in its temporary guise as pop-up bar BLINK.
The builders have now gone and left behind them a sumptuous and dramatic interior with décor that evokes the atmosphere of the Big Apple’s infamous speakeasys with dark wooden paneling, funky lights and long distinguished bars.
Jobe Ferguson said: "Ross and I live both in the heart of the Northern Quarter right next to the Blackdog and hope to create a new local which will become the heart and soul of the scene for both ourselves and our fellow residents."
www.blackdogballroom.co.uk
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