'Luxurious' Nottingham bar with rooftop terrace goes on the market

Skybar at the Cornerhouse

A bar with the best views of Nottingham has gone on the market. Skybar, on the second floor of the Cornerhouse, is one of the city’s biggest bars with a capacity of 550 and boasts a rooftop terrace.

The price of the lease and turnover have not been revealed in the advert on Rightbiz but are available on request. The venue is described as “luxurious” and an “outstanding” restaurant, bar and club opportunity.

Before becoming Skybar, the venue was former boxer Carl Froch’s nightspot Alto. But his dreams of making it a “classy” bar were dashed and four years after opening, it was put up for sale. It was taken over by the team behind Nottingham’s Groovebox Festival and given a swanky new look with turquoise decor and quartz-effect panelling.

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They later pulled out and the bar changed hands again in January 2023. The current directors are Akaash Boodhoo and Ferudun Civi. The venue remains open for Breathe Saturday nights with rooftop partying, and House, Afro Beats, R ‘n’ B and Hip-hop with forthcoming events on March 2 and March 9.

Skybar’s website states: “Skybar’s environment and reputation is defined by exclusivity. With the only rooftop terrace overlooking the city, we are a unique entity and an authentic experience.”

Its VIP menu offers drinks packages starting at £300 up to the £2,750 Billionaire’s Show, which includes three bottles of Dom Perignon Champagne. However, the bar has suffered a string of negative one-star reviews.

One said: “We visited this so-called luxurious bar. Shocking experience, £15 entry fee, and they advertised as lush bar but then served you a drink in a cheap plastic cup. Barely seven people around 11pm. To make the situation worse the toilets were filthy and outside seating area was sticky and chairs everywhere, cups lying around as if there was a riot. We left within 20 minutes and never returning.”

A second wrote: “Don’t bother wasting your time or money with this place – I shall certainly never be returning.” Amongst those giving it a five-star rating was a man who said it was an “amazing place.”

When the Cornerhouse first opened the rooftop venue was the restaurant Saltwater, which later changed to Rocket at Saltwater and then Alto in 2018.