A lost champagne bar with "Mediterranean vibes" that only called Liverpool home for a matter of months was loved by celebrities.
Back in June 2016, Bubbles Beach Club, also known as Bubbles Champagne Bar, opened as part of The Liverpool Village's summer celebrations. Serving Champagne and a gourmet beach BBQ menu, the club also featured entertainment against the backdrop of the city’s Three Graces in the evening.
With live music and family friendly events throughout the summer, the VIP launch welcomed a host of celebrities to enjoy "the chilled Mediterranean vibes" in the city. At the time, general manager Jake Ellis said: "The owners wanted to bring the class of the South of France and the coolness of Ibiza to Liverpool and we have been training the staff for some time now to deliver the standards required for this amazing summer destination."
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Customers will remember booking cabana day beds, tables, or booths and trying Champagne On The Rocks, with Moët Ice and Veuve Clicquot Rich, cocktails and the likes of prime beef sliders, king prawns and lobster. At the time of its launch, the city-centre bar also had a special waterfront area with 1930’s style, which included two-person mini cabanas with one of only three Park Ward Continual 20/25 Rolls Royce left in the world.
At the time, John Gilchrist, Bubbles Bars Licensee said: "We are really looking forward to opening Bubbles Champagne Lounge and Bubbles Beach Club. We have installed the very best equipment to ensure the highest of standards.
"In addition to all the champagnes available we have put an easily accessible cocktail menu together with build you own Bellini's, daiquiris and margaritas along with a carefully chosen gin and tonics selection. It’s goings to be the place to be this summer what with quality drinks, food and such a variety of entertainment from Bands to DJ’s and saxophonists."
And Martin O’Shea, managing director of The Liverpool Village, said: "Bringing this level of luxury experience to Liverpool as part of the festival, is exactly what we set out to achieve. The Liverpool Village will showcase the style that Liverpool is famous for.
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"I can’t wait for the sun to come out and to see Bubbles Beach Club in full swing, just perfect. We hope everyone young and old will enjoy the chilled Mediterranean vibes with fabulous food, it is set to be a real treat."
Through the summer, many with remember heading to Bubbles to celebrate an occasion or soak up the sun with friends. Within a few weeks of opening, it proved popular and attracted many customers, including a number of famous faces.
And in September that year, the waterfront champagne bar was given permission to stay open – despite a row with council chiefs. Opened as part of the three-month Liverpool Village festival, the team had originally hoped to stay open in business until the end of September.
The council originally claimed the bar only had permission to operate as part of Liverpool Village and that no application was formally made for an extension, but later the bar got permission to stay open until Monday, October 3. The bar operated from a £150,000 temporary structure overlooking the River Mersey.
Since its opening, it became a hotspot for celebrities with the likes of Jennifer Metcalfe and Nadine Rose Mulkerrin among the regulars. At the time, director of the bar, Alfie Bubbles said they had received "overwhelming support" to keep the beach club open.
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He said: "We are delighted that the mayor and the council decided to let us remain open. We have received such positive feedback from visitors.
"The staff are over the moon that they get to keep their jobs and we are happy we can honour existing bookings." It's now been seven years since Bubbles first came to the city and as the summer ends, many may reminisce about this lost bar and others across the city.
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