Former Sugar Hut venue set to re launch as XOXO this October

We love seeing new bars and restaurants opening in the city and the former Living Room has undergone a huge transformation.

The site of the former Living Room and Sugar Hut in Liverpool city centre is being transformed into an elegant contemporary restaurant serving modern Pan Asian dishes and small plates, plus a VIP basement nightclub. Now with new owners, the famous Victoria Street location has been given a stylish multi-million-pound makeover to become Dash restaurant and XOXO club.

XOXO will be revealed on Saturday October 27, with the restaurant due to open a few weeks later in November. The 15 Group plans to create a glamorous high-end destination, adding something unique to the city centre but keeping the personal feel of an independent.

“It’s such a great space, there’s so much potential to get it right, and the design and decor for both venues are even better than we’d imagined so we’re really excited about it,” says Gary Carr, one of four partners in The 15 Group.

“We want the club and the restaurant to give people a reason to dress up again because that is Liverpool’s trademark. The style has gone more relaxed recently so we’re aiming to bring back that idea of a thriving place where everyone wants to be seen.”

The four owners have more than 10 years’ experience operating venues across the city, and they have personal links which make them passionate about this particular site. Gary put on his first event at Mosquito – now XOXO – five years ago, while partner Dean Jones has fond memories of both Living Room and Mosquito.

“I went as a customer and when I was a barman working off Victoria Street I always used to think how much I’d love to work there … I never imagined I’d ever own it, so that’s why it’s great to have this opportunity to do something special with it,” said Dean.

Dash promises elegant contemporary dining with Pan Asian influences, and lunchtime and evening menus focusing on large and small plates. There’ll be live DJs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to create the perfect atmosphere for customers to have a drink in the bar then head downstairs to XOXO.

“We’d love people to come in for lunch at Dash, then come back in the evening glammed up for food and drinks and finish off their night in XOXO until the early hours – they’ll feel like they’ve had a full night out around Liverpool but it’s all under one roof.

“We know people are going to be amazed when they see it because Liverpool’s never had anything like it before,” he added.

Playing all genres of music from house to R&B, the exclusive basement club will have a stunning look, void acoustic sound system and state-of-the-art lighting which Dean says would be at home in some of Las Vegas’s world-famous clubs.

To find out more about Dash and XOXO head to the official Facebook page here.