Sheffield’s pub-goers have welcomed the latest addition to the city’s bar scene.
Manahatta, in the Fountain Precinct next to the City Hall, officially opened on Saturday after a £2 million refurbishment of a previously derelict two-storey building.
The New York inspired bar, which has eight venues across the UK has created several jobs in roles such as kitchen crew, bartending, waitressing and social media and advertising.
Arc Inspirations, Manahatta’s premium bar operator, describes the bar as “a glamorous cocktail bar that brings the exciting unmistakable beat of New York to the UK”.
Sheffield drinkers seem optimistic about the city’s newest venture, and bar workers don’t consider it to be a threat to the CITY’s already thriving independent bars.
West Street, often dubbed as ‘Party Street’ by locals and students, is the main hub of Sheffield’s nightlife with a wide range of independent pubs and bars to suit all tastes.
Molly Simpkins, 19, a teaching student, said: “I think me and my friends will probably stick to bars on West Street. Big chain bars seem more directed at older people who have more money.”
Ben Barker, 18, a biomedical sciences student, said: “I would go just to see what it’s like, but it doesn’t really seem like somewhere I’ll go every week. Independent places are cheaper so ideal for me as a student.”
However, Saskia Akmene, 23, a retail worker, said it will be good to have a different venue as an option.
She added: “It’s something new and a bit more upmarket so I would imagine it’ll be popular. I like West Street, but it gets repetitive.”
One assistant bar manager at an independent West Street venue said he didn’t see Manahatta as direct competition.
Matthew Watson, who works at Tigerworks, said: “West Street is very unique and the independent bars on it are so popular amongst locals.”
The 22-year-old added: “It would take something massive to take all the students and locals away from it.”
Jamie Salter, a bartender at the newly opened Manahatta, said: “It will help improve Sheffield’s nightlife because it’s a step up from what we’re used to in terms of quality of service, food and drink, and atmosphere.”
The 20-year-old added: “Sheffield hasn’t really got many places that are in the same realm as Manahatta and this will benefit Sheffield by creating a new environment and thus a new crowd of people.”
“It’s also created a lot of new jobs for local residents and students so even though it’s a chain, it’ll help Sheffield economically just as much as the independent bars.”