Under decades of nightclub flooring at the old Pandora’s, the builders have found treasure. A terrazzo floor, hidden since long before Dirty Dora’s days, has been uncovered during the fit-out of Cosy Club in the Exchange Buildings, and it has been polished up to take centre stage when the doors open.
Those doors will be open by Beaujolais Day. The chain is taking bookings at the Swansea venue for Thursday 19 November, its first bookable date, with Christmas tables on sale for December too.
Inside the Grade II listed Maritime Quarter landmark, floors are being stained, bathroom tiles laid and the original brickwork exposed to bring “warmth and texture” back into the space, the company says. The building is wired, the paint is on the walls, and the bar and furniture are being made to order.
Lucy Knowles, the chain’s managing director, said: “We’re creating a space that celebrates the building’s heritage while offering something completely new for Swansea.”
The terrazzo under Dirty Dora’s: what the builders found in the 1913 Exchange Buildings
The Exchange Buildings were designed by Charles T. Ruthen in 1913 and, for a generation of Swansea, are remembered for Pandora’s, the basement nightclub everyone called Dirty Dora’s.
Cosy Club is taking the ground floor, as announced in August. Its design team has worked with manufacturers and artisans on bespoke carpets, wallpapers, lighting and one-off pieces inspired by 20th century design, the company says.
The terrazzo floor, a polished mix of marble chips set in concrete, was found beneath “decades of coverings” during the works. It will be one of the venue’s standout features, the chain says.
“Every week brings another exciting reveal, and we can’t wait to welcome guests into a venue that feels both nostalgic and wonderfully glamorous, especially as we head into the festive season,” Knowles said.
Photographs of the finished Swansea interior and the menu will follow soon, the company says. For now, the pictures it has released show its other venues, and the look it is bringing to the Exchange Buildings.
Beaujolais Day on 19 November: a £49.95 three-course menu and music through the day
Beaujolais Day is one of the biggest days in Swansea’s social calendar, and Cosy Club is making it the first date in its diary. Swansea and Cardiff Bay are offering a three-course celebration menu with a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau for £49.95, with music throughout the day.
There will be an a la carte menu and party dishes for groups who want something looser, and the Beaujolais will be served by the glass all day. Tables are open to book now.
‘A real vote of confidence in Swansea city centre’, say the neighbours
Kate Bowen, general manager of The Morgans Collection, the hotel group that shares the Maritime Quarter with the new venue, said: “Investment from a brand like Cosy Club is a real vote of confidence in Swansea city centre.”
“It adds to the already very good hospitality offering in the city, and more quality on the street means more reasons for people to visit, stay and explore. That’s good for everyone, we wish the team every success and look forward to working with them.”
The Morgans Collection is part of Swansea.com, which owns the Exchange Buildings and plans to turn the upper floors into aparthotel rooms.
Swansea will be the 38th Cosy Club and the third in Wales, after two in Cardiff. The brand is owned by Loungers, which also runs the Lounge cafe-bars and Brightside roadside restaurants.
The all-day menu will run from breakfast and brunch through to dinner, with gluten-free and vegan options, cocktails and late opening. An exact opening date has not yet been announced.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
