IN its decade long history on John Dalton Street, Panacea has always attracted those of a certain ilk.
The fit-out is, indeed, befitting for Panacea's core crowd: glossy, high-maintenance and feels set for a weekend of hedonism.
Those with a devoted attention to personal style, a taste for the finer things (like Dom Perignon and Michael Kors watches); those good at kicking a ball or appearing on the box. That looks unlikely to change following the plush club's £900k makeover. You'll still need to polish those Paul Smith shoes, sonny.
On Thursday 26 March, Panacea will swing open the doors of their completely refurbished space. The team are calling it the 'Second Coming', 'the dawn of a new era' and 'Panacea II'. Crikey.
So what's changed?
The 6250 sq ft bar and club venue, once licked in cool tan leather, honeyed onyx and polished teak paneling, couldn't be further removed from its former self (well, unless it'd been to the Roadhouse clearing out sale).
The extensive makeover follows a much darker colour palette with a new central DJ booth, hand-made Italian leather booths plus new textural elements including bespoke hand-cut glass filigree murals and 50 metres of laser-cut paneling. Other upgrades include a complete new Adlib sound and lighting system.
Well-known interior designer Bernard Carroll directed the refurb, he said: "One's style does not change but evolves over time. So do habits, desires and occupations. The Panacea brief has not changed that much from the original, other than tweaks that have come with a ten year experience. Entertainment is a form of fashion. This is the lead element in the creation of the new Panacea, with the understanding that we are not aiming to create within the current trend but create an environment for the future."
The fit-out is, indeed, befitting for Panacea's core crowd: glossy, high-maintenance, and the blacks and deep reds prep the mood for a weekend of hedonism.
As the complete antithesis to the multitude of street-food parties and dive bars that have gained popularity in recent years, Panacea's return will be much anticipated by those more accustomed to glamour. Welcome back.
Panacea regulars can still expect the most popular club nights: Playhouse is back and the Cuckoos Nest will bring in Bank Holiday on Sunday 5 April.
PANACEA, 14 John Dalton Street, City Centre, M2 6JR.
