SWANSEA: Cosy Club to open in the Exchange Buildings, once home to legendary Pandora’s nightclub

One of Swansea’s best-known buildings is getting a new tenant, with restaurant and bar chain Cosy Club opening in the Exchange Buildings this November.

The chain will take the ground floor of the Grade II listed landmark in the Maritime Quarter, designed by architect Charles T. Ruthen in 1913.

It will be the third Cosy Club in Wales and the city’s first, joining the two Cardiff sites as the 38th in the group, which is owned by hospitality operator Loungers.

For many in Swansea, the building is remembered less for its architecture than for what went on in its basement: Pandora’s nightclub, affectionately known as Dirty Dora’s.

The venue became a South Wales nightlife institution, drawing rock fans, students and professionals long before Wind Street dominated the city’s nights out.

The opening still depends on the council. Full planning and Listed Building Consent applications covering the ground-floor change of use, replacement windows across the whole building and access improvements were submitted in November 2025, and both are listed by Swansea Council as being considered.

The building’s owner, hospitality group Swansea.com, began the process with a pre-application in early 2025, saying it wanted to help Cosy Club take occupation as early as possible.

The group’s wider plans go beyond the ground floor, with the upper floors earmarked for an expansion of its Morgans Collection accommodation business and a goal of more than 100 aparthotel bedrooms in the Maritime Quarter.

Jacob Hughes, the group’s managing director, said when the pre-application was lodged that developing a Grade II listed building was “both meticulous and incredibly rewarding”, with the group working alongside heritage specialists and Swansea Council’s heritage lead to restore and retain the building’s historic features.

Cosy Club says it is “proud to pick up the mantle” with a venue for all-day dining, cocktails and what it calls late-night celebrations.

Lucy Knowles, managing director of Cosy Club, said: “We are so looking forward to introducing Cosy Club to Swansea.”

“We know how important this venue is to the city, and our design team has taken great care to honour that heritage while reimagining the interiors with Cosy Club’s signature sense of glamour. We want to create something truly unique for Swansea.”

The interiors will feature bespoke patterned fabrics, mirrors, carpets and wallpapers, statement lighting and soft furnishings, according to the company, along with disco balls and fish tanks.

Menus will run from breakfast through brunch, lunch and dinner, with what the chain describes as elevated modern classics, signature specials and a strong selection of gluten-free and vegan options.

Ms Knowles said: “From morning to night, we’ll be serving delicious breakfasts, fabulous brunch, lunch and dinner menus, and some of the best cocktails in the city.”

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors this autumn and to help make this building the most talked-about spot in town once again.”

The company says its design team has worked with manufacturers, creatives and artisans on bespoke carpets, wallpapers, lighting and one-off pieces inspired by 20th century design.

Loungers operates three brands in the UK hospitality sector: Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside.

An exact opening date has not been announced, and the November plan is subject to the outstanding consents.