Greater Manchester town's new cabaret bar to have celebrity opening- including Happy Mondays singer

A new cabaret live entertainment bar is set for a celebrity packed launch this weekend promising a ‘city centre’ experience in Prestwich. Icons will open on Friday, December 1 in the former Riley’s snooker club building, opposite Marks and Spencer on Bury New Road.

One of the team behind the venture, Roberto Polacco said work to transform the long derelict building into a cabaret bar serving ‘premium food and drink’ has been completed in an intense 14-week period. He said the opening night will see Happy Mondays singer Rowetta attending along with television celebrities from Geordie Shore and Married At First Sight.

Roberto, said: “The place was in a state when we started, properly derelict but with a lot of hard work we’ve managed to get it ready to open for December. We see Icons as aimed at an older crowd who are looking for a memorable night out. I see it as a city centre type venue but right here in Prestwich.”

Changes to the building include a new oak effect raised deck, ramped access and a fence to the front of the venue to form a new outside seating area. Roberto said the bar, which has a maximum capacity of 250 people, and will employ up to 20 people in full and part-time roles, has gained a temporary licence to trade ahead of a full hearing for a licence held by Bury Council next week. 

The bar has a licence to sell alcohol from Monday to Thursday until 11.30pm, 1am on Friday and Saturday and 10.30pm open Sundays. Conditions attached to the permanent licence application include the beer garden and outside area not being used for the consumption of alcohol after 10pm and that they operate a ‘Challenge 25’ proof of age policy to be prominently displayed within the premises. 

Two objections to the granting of the licence have been received by Bury Council, both cite concerns about noise from music at the venue. One neighbour, said: “I will be able to hear not only the music but as this is a party style venue with lots of alcohol involved there will be raucous activity singing along to the music.” 

The entertainment line up of Icons in December certainly lives up to the name with performances from tributes to Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, The Spice Girls and Tina Turner all booked to perform before Christmas.