The Live Lounge, above the Commerical Hotel, in Wishaw opened last month with a visit from heart throb Calum Best. No doubt the man, who probably has frequented more nightclubs than he has had hot dinners, was impressed. The new-look Live Lounge, designed by Space-id, certainly does not lack the glamour factor.
From the outside which has been clad in timber with added recesses which boast LED lighting, to the fully-tiled entrance stairwell which takes you directly into the Live Lounge, there is no doubt about it, this club has been transformed. Says owner Steve Graham, “It has always been a popular club, and I felt our customers deserved the very best. We have done very well with the club over the years and it was time to put some investment back in.”
It may have the usual nightclub details such as multiple glitter balls, private booths and a dance floor but that would be under describing… the booths upholstered in cream faux-leather are huge – seating 10 to 12 people, and have high backs which allow privacy (that’s if you don’t count the discreet cameras) and above each booth there are bespoke cream lampshades encased in a short shimmer curtain. The booth nearest the bar also has its own private ordering area. The glitter balls arrangements throughout the club also are encased in a short shimmering curtain – each set has one large ball with four smaller balls (although there is a bigger set near the door) – while the glitter ball set above the dance floor matches the shape and size of the floor below and is also encased in a short shimmering curtain. Here glitter balls are augmented by swivelling lights. Says owner Steve Graham, “We have invested a lot of money in the lighting and in the sound system. It’s a Pioneer Nexo STM system and I liked the glitter balls because they added a bit of retro.”
The Live Lounge has in fact got two dance floors – with one of a small mezzanine. It is an infinity floor. It is coloured with LED’s and has cubes which appear to tunnel down into ‘infinity’. Behind the dance floor is a huge mirror with a cream padded surround.
The DJ station is semi circular and sits on the edge of the lower dance floor. It is clad in dark wood with strips of LED lighting, which obviously change colour. A similar lighting arrangement is used on the private booths which has a similar finish and are rimmed around the bottom with stainless steel.
As you come through the doors of the club you are greeted with a lounge area to your left – the walls here have exposed brick – a complete juxtaposition to the glamorous glitter balls which hang above this bar area. Immediately in front of the stairs is the bar. It is one of the shiniest I have seen. It has a beautiful black granite bar top, which has been polished within a degree of its life. The hologram mirrored paper (which you just want to run your hands over) adorns the large pillar which is a feature of the bar, and has been used on the surround at the top of the bar. The bar itself has two sides – the side facing the door features large mirrors, which line the back bar itself. Perfect for customers to admire themselves as they are ordering their drinks. While round the corner the bar faces into the main dance area and has mirrored shelving to display its spirits. Beneath the black granite bar there is another juxtaposition – a gleaming white carved bar front which is light with LEDs placed beneath the marble bar.
The lounge area also has some fixed-high seats and posing tables, but no carpet. Here a wood floor has been used, but throughout the rest of the club a deep-pile Winton carpet has been used which goes right up to the edge of the bar and extends through the main part of the club.
At the opposite end of the club there is a raised area, which has a long stretch of fixed cream-faux seating, mixed with black faux-leather cubes and tables. Above this area there is a feature wall decorated with designer wallpaper.
Outside is another feat of engineering. Contractors Dimension have certainly had their work cut out. Despite being on the first floor, a substantial outdoor structure has been created. The walls have been lined with astro turf, a plasma screen has been embedded, heating is abundant and it is fully furnished. I didn’t see the finished area – but from the sound of it, it is almost as luxurious as the club itself.
Says Steve, “I wanted to create a premier nightclub in Lanarkshire.” He has certainly done that and with a capacity of around 300, it is certain to be packed out.