Quay Bar

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Quay Bar was a building situated next to the Bridgewater Canal basin in Castlefield, Manchester. It was designed by architects Stephenson Bell for their client Wolverhampton & Dudley Brewery (better known as Banks).

Shortly after completion in 1998 the building won a number of awards, including an MSA Design Award, RIBA Award and the Manchester Civic Society Award. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Prize.^[1]

With competing bars and restaurants opening closer to the city centre, particularly the popular Deansgate Locks, Quay Bar faced difficulties in attracting the same crowds it achieved when first opened.^{[citation needed]} Following a spell of dubious management tactics, the bar closed in 2003.^{[citation needed]} It was bought by Urban Splash who rebranded it as the rather short-lived Modo Clubroom^[2], and was subsequently let out on an occasional basis to Vietnamese^{[citation needed]} military themed bar operator Canteena.^[3]^[4] The building became vacant in 2005, subsequently falling into disrepair. During 2006-07 it became notorious for its use by drug addicts, suffering a number of arson attacks and prompting calls for it's demolition.^{[citation needed]}