Situated in the basement of Afflecks Palace shopping center, local entrepreneurs Ross Mackenzie and Jobe Ferguson own the bar. Judge Hill named the bar Black Dog Ballroom inspired by a American pool hall called Black Dog Billiards – having resonance with ‘traditional Manchester pub names’.
The interior of the bar features exposed brickwork, bare wooden floors and reclaimed furniture for a ‘rough New York look, without making it too trashy,’ says Matt Wheatcroft, the design director. He adds that a secret door that appears flush with wooden paneling will give way to ‘the Ball Room’, a secret room with a bar, which may guide users to its entrance with templates of dance steps on the floor or a keypad near the door.
The designer also plans to add an oversize ‘porcelain-style dog’ for people to sit on, which will not be made of porcelain. The bar is slated to open in October 2009.
