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Nightclub returns as Lido Complex shapes up

Lido shuffle: Ennio Lucarini, left, chef de partie Kayla Williams and executive chef Serge Bottelli of the Lido complex at Elbow Beach, unveil a new look at Sea Breeze and new menus throughout its restaurants in time for the America’s Cup (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Restaurant group MEF is planning to reopen the nightclub at Elbow Beach.

Once known as The Deep, the club closed in 2009. It is to be reborn for the duration of the America’s Cup as an upmarket nightspot aimed at visitors and residents, opening on May 25.

The news comes as MEF, which operates the Little Venice Group, announced a revamp and new menus at its three restaurants at the Paget resort.

Ennio Lucarini, general manager of the Lido Complex at Elbow Beach, said: “It’s because we are a nice destination down here.

“We’re not using The Deep in that particular way any more but it’s a lovely space and it is an alternative quality destination for visitors to the island during this period.

“For sure, we intend to put together programmes for yacht owners, visitors and residents, not only the nightclub, but also at the restaurants.”

Mr Lucarini was speaking at the complex, which includes Cafe Lido, the open air Sea Breeze Lounge, the Marina Terrace and Mickey’s Beach Bistro.

Serge Bottelli, the executive chef, said Sea Breeze had benefited from a new paint job, changing from a sandy colour to crisp blue and white, while the menus at all the venues had been revamped.

He said: “We eliminated what was not going very well and came up with new specials.

“We have pushed a bit more seafood into Mickey’s compared to what it was before.

“Lido will be completely changed from next week — we’re going to have a lot of pasta — people like pasta. For the main course, the garnish will be a pasta dish, but not always the same.”

He added: “Between Lido, Sea Breeze and Mickey’s, we have seafood towers by request”

The seafood towers will include shrimp, scallops, oyster, lobster, crab claws, crab and tuna tartare among the marine tastes.

And Mr Bottelli added that the restaurants hoped to tap into Mother’s Day on Sunday, with a total of four sittings at the flagship Cafe Lido.

Mr Bottelli said the complex would also use the idyllic setting of the beach for dinner parties.

“Locals, yacht owners, overseas people, can have four to five course meals or a seafood tower with a bonfire.

“We want to emphasise the beach during the America’s Cup. We felt the summer is here and want people to remember summer is here.”

Mr Lucarini said: “We are really hoping it will be busy during the Cup. We’re addressing a lot of people, yacht owners, America’s Cup teams and their organisations.

“We’re putting together a membership for the nightclub and we will have a door cover charge too. That’s something we’re still working on.

“And we will definitely be using bottle service in the nightclub.”

The nightclub will feature Scott Roy — DJ Vibes — with food available as late at 2am.

Adnana Blaj, the complex’s general assistant, said: “There will be a lot of people coming here who have never been here before but who have come straight to us asking for Mickey’s and Elbow Beach.”

She added: “The location is a huge factor because it’s between where people are staying around Dockyard and Hamilton.”

Ms Blaj said the complex had already seen extra booking as a result of the America’s Cup, including corporate groups staying at Elbow Beach.

She added: “We expect things to speed up a lot when the yachts start coming in.”

The Deep will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for the duration of the event, opening from 11am to 3am after the Big Chill entertain crowds at Sea Breeze.