For more than two decades until it closed in 2020, 60 Hope Street was a favourite with Liverpool diners and now a new fine dining venue – Elite 60 – has taken its place. Tony McDonough reports

A new restaurant has opened its doors on the site of much-loved Liverpool venue that closed down in 2020.

60 Hope Street was one of Liverpool’s best known and best-loved restaurants for more than two decades. But owner Gary Manning decided to close it down for the final time at the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Now Elite 60 has been opened by Turkish chef Bayram Yuce who is promising “a new take on fine international cuisine” with key ingredients including wagyu beef, lobster, quail and a selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Mr Yuce already operates three other restaurants in Liverpool – Kassap on Bold Street and Macello Meathouse in Childwall and West Derby. He comes from a long line of chefs in his family. He began his professional career in Istanbul. He moved to the UK in 2017.

Elite 60’s A La Carte menu will be made up of dishes created with what he says will be the finest ingredients, focusing on the highest quality seafood, the best cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables to celebrate each and every ingredient.

The restaurant has been restored with emerald green and gold hues dominating the main dining room on the ground floor. It offers 44 covers, as well as an exclusive private dining room upstairs.

Downstairs, there’s a cocktail bar serving a range of cocktails including classics such as Pornstar Martini, Negroni, Cosmopolitan and Mojito, as well as whisky, gin, rum, vodka, tequila, and brandy based cocktails.

Bookings are available from Thursday, December 16, and Elite 60 will be open Tuesday to Sunday 3pm-11pm for the restaurant and 3pm-12am for the cocktail bar. Mr Yuce added: “Elite 60 is a new and exciting concept that will take our guests on a culinary journey.

“Showcasing the very best produce, and cooking them with love and attention, we’ll be presenting them perfectly to ensure we deliver the highest quality dishes. We’ll be creating a very welcoming yet luxurious ambiance that’s complete with our cocktail bar downstairs.

“We’re very excited to welcome everyone during the festive season and beyond to experience our  fine international cuisine set in what is a truly iconic building.”