Old Nottingham boozer Yates's has been laid to rest - after a £450,000 makeover to transform the former 19th century pub into a new-style Slug & Lettuce.
Opening today, a big surprise lies in wait for cocktail lovers, who might expect an exact copy of the existing bar in The Cornerhouse. Even though the menu is the same, from breakfast and bottomless lunches to burger and late night drinks, the look of the venue is very different.
In the space of just four weeks the pub, in Long Row, has been gutted. The old-fashioned brownness of Yates's has been replaced with bird cage booths, neon signs and more flowers than your nan's greenhouse.
Sports on the TV have gone. Instead of cussing about the opposing team scoring, the new crowd will be taking selfies in front of the 'hello gorgeous' flower wall or underneath the 'hello handsome' neon lighting.
Downstairs the main bar has been switched to the left, while on the right bird cage booths, entwined with pretty pink blossom and fairy lights, have been installed.
Upstairs, the dated stripy booths have been ripped out and in their place are more domed bird cage booths, which can seat up to ten.
The upper floor, decked out with fashionable pink, blue, gold and green decor and soft furnishings, has been designated the restaurant with its own bar.
It will always be open so no bar tender faces a treacherous walk balancing a Pornstar Martini tree up the stairs.
Outdoor seating still overlooks Old Market Square, although there's a better view from the balcony which has been kitted out like a mini garden with artificial grass and topiary hedging.
The new S&L will host cocktail masterclasses and has two stations for muddling and shaking Mojitos - one of them is positioned in the gallery where there was once a pool table. That's long gone but the listed building's elaborate wooden archway remains, as does the cast-iron balustrade enveloping the first floor.
Another old familiar feature is the towering mahogany-cased grandfather clock made by Nottingham's Cope brothers.
"People are happy we left the clock - we had to. Even though it doesn't fit in with the brand, it works," said Bo Cranson, area sales manager at pub operators, Stonegate.
He added: "For Nottingham this has been a long time coming. I think it looks amazing. The look on people's faces when they walked in has been pleasing because everyone knows it's going to be a Slug & Lettuce but it's a different style.
"There have been lots of places closing around here but this will bring life back to the Square. Yates's wasn't for everyone but people will get off the tram and see the Slug.
"It's going to be something special. We've already had bookings for cocktail masterclasses and Christmas parties. This is the place to be because it's new."
The bar is opening today but Friday, September 13, will be the VIP opening night with live music.
