WE'VE had this intriguing press release at Confidential.
'Named after the poet and free-thinker John Milton (who penned the famous poem – Paradise Lost) the Milton Club is located in the heart of the city at 244 Deansgate in the historical Milton Hall, once home to the BBC Northern Orchestra.
'Offering exceptional service within its elegantly designed amber and charcoal grey interior (created by top interior designer Bernard Carroll, remember Reform, now Room) the Milton embodies the style and warmth that is the signature of this great city.'
This all sounds ok but Confidential hopes that there's a good door and admissions policy in place. We've been assured there will be.
The press release goes on to describe 'a classic drinks menu (including rare whiskies and cognacs) juxtaposed with modern cocktails and, of course, a superb wine/champagne list from the separate champagne bar'.
The capacity is 250 and membership will be via registration (no fees), for professionals over 25-years-old. The perks package will include priority reservation of booths, guest-list, invites to parties/events and a concierge service working with hotels and venues.
There's a private bar within a 'premier booth'.
This all sounds ok but Confidential hopes there's a good door and admissions policy in place. We've been assured there will be to quote, 'a good ethos, a strict policy'.
Private members clubs in Manchester, especially those with 'VIP rooms' tend to be a problematical proposition. There's something about them that attracts 'bad uns' with 'issues'. Let's hope the club management knows how to weed out the threatening types and let elegant fun reign.
What is beyond doubt is how good-looking the place will be - as long as the CGI images are realised.
It has good bones too. The building was originally built in 1909-11 in a confident Baroque style by Bradshaw and Gass, the same architects of the Royal Exchange. It has a cutesy domed tower on one end. It was the Congregational Church's prime meeting place in the North West, one of loads of church halls on Deansgate and Peter Street - Gaucho Restaurant occupies one hall, Albert Hall (above the old Brannigans) another.
The Congregationalists of the time were teetotallers.
Would-be members of Milton House needn't fear about maintenance of the 'dry' policy - as the above quotes prove. For Milton, that sober God-fearing poet, the building named after him might become a Paradise Lost, for others, as long as the door-policy is good, it might well become a Paradise Regained.
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Congregational House
