United Kingdom, Manchester
October 2025
N/A
Traditional Drapery, Track System, Manufacturing
Event Venue, Bar, Restaurant
7 New York Street in Manchester is home to Bar Shrimp. The venue is built around the concept of “Drinks, Seafood and Sound.” Moreover, it is a new addition to the city’s growing hospitality scene. The team behind the venue also created Higher Ground and Flawd Wine. Therefore, the project continues their focus on quality, atmosphere, and thoughtful design.
Guests visit Bar Shrimp for different reasons. For example, some stop by for a beer after work. Meanwhile, others meet friends for seafood and drinks. Later in the evening, many stay for cocktails and music. As the night progresses, the atmosphere gradually changes. The music becomes more prominent. At the same time, the lighting remains low and atmospheric. Consequently, the space feels intimate and engaging. In particular, the bar lounge creates this mood through plush red floor-to-ceiling drapes and soft lighting.
Most importantly, sound sits at the centre of the venue’s concept. The team did not treat music as simple background noise. Instead, they made it a key part of the experience. As a result, the space delivers an immersive and balanced sound environment. Furthermore, every design element supports this goal. Together, these features create a clear and detailed sonic identity within the venue.
Because of this vision, Bar Shrimp contacted J&C Joel. A previous client had recommended the company for its expertise in specialist drapery solutions. Initially, the brief included floor-to-ceiling drapes made from Royal Velvet and several smaller window drapes. At first, the enquiry came through to the UK sales team. However, the team soon passed the project to the Creative Team. This decision followed a review of the client’s mood boards. In particular, the design required several more complex solutions.
To achieve the design, the team used more than 70 metres of J&C Joel’s most popular cotton velvet, Royal Velvet. Specifically, they selected Port VEL880/1 for the main masking drapes. This fabric provides a luxurious appearance. In addition, it offers strong acoustic properties. Therefore, it supports both the visual atmosphere and the sound quality within the space.
Furthermore, the installation included Triple E Two Way track systems. These tracks support the large window drape along the side of the bar. In addition, it carried the drape used to mask the kitchen entrance area. Meanwhile, the team also created a bespoke feature. They rolled and fabricated a custom bar to support a circular entrance drape. As a result, guests experience a striking and theatrical entrance.
Finally, a small team of our specialist fitters installed the tracks and drapes. They completed the work efficiently and to the owner’s satisfaction. Overall, the project highlights the flexibility of J&C Joel’s services. Traditionally, the company supplies drapes for theatres and large events. However, it also supports projects in bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and commercial office spaces. Therefore, Bar Shrimp stands as another example of how specialist drapery can transform hospitality interiors.
