Merseyside hospitality business Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group is to open and American-themed bar, its 12th venue in Liverpool city region. Tony McDonough reports

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group is to open a new bar in Southport in a town centre unit that has remained empty for several years.

In what will be its sixth bar in Southport, Mikhail will open Maverick’s this month. It describes the venue as an “American-themed dive bar”. It will be located on the corner of Lord Street and Leicester Street in a former Pizza Express.

This ‘Top Gun’ inspired venue has been curated to mimic life in a US dive bar.  You’ll be able to sample the best of American cuisine, washed down with a Citywide Special (lingo for a beer and a shot of bourbon).

There will be pints priced from just £2.95, authentic American food, pool and 12 placed TV screens showing sporting events. Design features will include vintage neon signs, a Statue of Liberty, an original American Flag and an original Wurlitzer JukeBox.

Mikhail, which currently operates 11 venues across Liverpool city region, including Cains Brewery in Liverpool, has already invested heavily in Southport. It completed phase one of the £4m restoration of The Grand in July last year.

This included a brasserie, piano bar and function suite. Restoration work is still in progress at the historic building which will see golf simulators, a roof terrace and sky lounge.

The opening of the latest bar will be the group’s sixth venue in Southport with five of those located in The Northern Quarter.

They include The Bold Hotel, Lord Street Hotel & Sports Bar, Punch Tarmey’s and The Grand with the group also operating the award winning bar at Southport Market.

Chairman Andrew Mikhail said: “I am determined to bring The Northern Quarter back to its best, how I remember it when I came for nights out when I was younger, the place to be.

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“I want every empty unit filled with bustling independent businesses for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.

“We wanted to create a venue that people could enjoy socially with friends. We developed the idea of an American style bar which focuses on the social aspect of enjoying the company of friends and strangers, bringing something different to Southport. 

“Top Gun is my favourite film of all time and so the bar just had to have a nod to the iconic Tom Cruise film.”