Dukes 92 to get £1m makeover in time for summer 2016

Dukes 92 in Castlefield is to get a £1 million refurbishment to mark its 25^th anniversary next year.

The 6,000 sq ft space will be stripped back to the brick to reflect its industrial heritage and softened with hotel lobby style furniture. The focal point will be a 50 ft long main bar, and trees and foliage will extend right through the building to an extended covered terrace, with dining throughout. There will also be a private dining room to seat up to 14 people with its own outside private terrace.

There will be a greater focus on food with a carefully curated menu from Albert’s executive chef Rebecca Bardsley. There will be DJs on Friday and Saturday nights and live music every Sunday.

The former stable block for the horses that pulled the barges up the Rochdale Canal is one of Manchester’s most enduring city centre bars. It is particularly popular in the summer months, when drinkers and diners enjoy the canalside location next to Lock 92, from which it takes its name.

James Ramsbottom, managing director of Dukes 92 and Alberts Restaurants said: “This project is the culmination of 12 months of careful planning. We are fortunate to have a fantastic building in an amazing location and this has made Dukes 92 into one of Manchester’s top destination bars. To continue this success it’s crucial we create a space that works just as well for laid-back lunches as it does on Saturday nights when there will be a DJ to entertain the weekend crowd. I’m very excited about the transformation and looking forward to revealing our new look in the spring.”

Dukes 92 will move into a temporary tipi home from 2 January 2016 for a 3 month period.