Preston’s social scene is set to get a bold new addition when NYTCLAS opens in the former Lost Bar and Pizzeria in Market Street West next month.

The progressive cocktail and pizza parlour is aiming to bring a big-city speakeasy vibe with a warm northern welcome to a part of the city already buzzing with independent energy, thanks to neighbours Chain House Brewing Co Taproom and Chew’s Yard.

The development is part of Preston-born designer Ben Casey’s vision for a cultural destination under the banner of Market Street Social.

Serving boundary-pushing drinks and Detroit-style pizzas, NYTCLAS is the creation of hospitality gurus Kane Mason and Alex Leigh from Escapade Events.

Having started with the company as glass collectors over a decade ago, the pair rose through the ranks to become directors in 2020. Escapade joined with Heathcote&Co in February 2023, and the company has been running the bar at Chew’s Yard since its original Christmas pop up that year.

Speaking to Blog Preston as we visited the venue, Kane explained the origin of the bar’s unique name: “NY is a nod to New York and the wider northeast area of the USA, while CLAS references our proximity to UCLan, plus the northern slang use of class to mean something good.”

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But it’s not just the name – Kane and Alex’s creativity is stamped all over the venue, with every detail, right down to the scent, being curated to their high standards. Describing themselves as ‘young and hungry’, the duo say NYTCLAS is their opportunity to create the kind of venue they’ve always wanted.

“This is our first time having free rein on everything rather than activating ideas for others,” says Kane.

“We’ve spent years bringing other people’s visions to life – winning awards, setting trends, and creating drinks that became brand signatures. Now, we’re pouring all that passion, creativity, and charisma into something for our people.”

Kane and Alex have incorporated elements from their favourite bars, one of which is Tayēr + Elementary, an innovative London-based venue that ranked fourth in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024.

One example of that creative approach is the drinks menu, which is designed to flow with the day.

Kane says: “We begin with ethical, high-quality coffee from Extract, served bottomless. As the hours pass, our cocktail menu comes into play with flavour profiles moving from lighter spritzes into more robust and complex creations.”

NYTCLAS cocktails are prep-heavy – Kane reveals some can take up to 36 hours – using advanced techniques like infusions, brews and dilutions.

Alex, however, is keen to emphasise that this approach isn’t designed to overwhelm or intimidate. “Our goal is to create a social space where high quality doesn’t mean highbrow,” he says.

“We’ll have a high class feel, but it will delivered in a laid back and welcoming way, with our team on hand to explain drinks and techniques to those who are interested.”

In addition to the specialty coffee and craft cocktails, drinks will include alcohol-free options, frozen margs featuring Casamigos tequila, and boutique wines in cans.

Beers will come from Thornbridge Brewery, with a German-style brew, a hazy IPA and a nitro stout on long-term plus a rotating fourth option, starting with Favorito, a light Mexican lager with lime and salt.

Food-wise, the menu is set to be simple yet fun. At launch, four Detroit-style pizzas will feature – chicken caesar, hoisin duck, hot honey and goat cheese, and the Coney Island inspired hotdog and mustard – plus a couple of sides, and whoopee pies for dessert.

All this will be set to a carefully curated, feel-good playlist which, according to Kane, will be played with “depth and oomph, but not loud.”

“A record player and vinyl selection will also be available for people to take control of if they wish,” he adds.

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And the plans don’t stop there.

“We believe in Ben’s vision of Market Street Social being a destination for the North West,” says Alex. “It’s a beautiful site with loads of character, and with NYTCLAS, we think Preston hasn’t seen anything quite like this before.

“We have a series of events and experiences already in the works, including a ‘sip and paint’ and a vinyl night. It’s about adding something new to the street, rather than just spreading out existing visitors.

“We can’t quite believe the amount of love and support we’re seeing and feeling already. We’ve not even opened our doors and it already feels like we’re going to have such a strong community.”

NYTCLAS officially launches on Thursday 8 May, but has a soft launch this weekend that includes hosting Jazzin the Park DJs on Saturday 3 May as part of the Market Street Social Block Party.

Read more: Preston venue Chew’s Yard to celebrate first birthday with five days of free events

NYTCLAS will be open Thursday to Sunday, from 12pm to 11.30pm. It’s located at 131 Market Street West, Preston, PR1 2HB.

To find out more, follow @nytclas_ on Instagram.

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