Highland live music venue replaces R&B with B&B
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CITY centre bar and restaurant Hootananny is taking a new direction in response to changing trends in the hospitality industry.
The ground floor bar which is famous for its live music will still major on traditional offerings that have delighted locals and visitors for many years.
But the second floor Mad Hatters rock bar and the third floor Glow Bar are in the process of being converted to seven up-market bedrooms that can accommodate 14.
All being well, the rooms will be ready in the summer.
Owner of the multi-award winning live music venue Kit Fraser said the popular and spacious ground floor bar will continue largely as before.
"We installed a mezzanine floor to increase the number of people we can entertain there," he said.
"The upstairs floors are of Georgian proportions which lend themselves to a boutique hotel atmosphere.
"Guests will have a coffee and croissant type of breakfast as part of the deal, and dinner will be available downstairs, and of course the nightly entertainment.
"The decision was taken as a result of various things including Covid. Since the pandemic people are coming out less, and younger people are watching live bands on their screens."
While Hootananny remains very popular, Mr Fraser acknowledges that the hotel trade does quite well in Inverness while pubs have high turnover and less profit.
With manager Nick Firth, a top Scottish fiddle player, Mr Fraser is currently planning their opening hours into the early morning, possibly 2am or 3am at weekends.
The bar currently does not open until 5pm although on Saturdays it is likely to be 3pm.
Mr Firth added: "A more condensed live music entertainment will be on offer."
Meanwhile in London, sister establishment Hootananny Brixton, a live music venue and club is "roaring" said Mr Fraser.
