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Gordon Ramsay to open ‘enormous’ three-storey Lucky Cat restaurant inside old King Street bank

Formerly home to Jamie's Italian, King Street's old bank is set to finally reopen after lying empty for the past four years

Georgina Pellant - 22nd August 2022

Sweary TV chef Gordon Ramsay is planning to open an enormous three-storey Lucky Cat restaurant inside the old HSBC bank on King Street, it has been revealed.

The magnificent old bank space, formerly home to Jamie’s Italian, has lain empty at ever since The Naked Chef’s restaurant company collapsed into administration back in 2019.

Now, the site finally looks set for a revival as one seasoned TV chef prepares to take over from another.

The historic building will soon become home to Lucky Cat, the latest venture from firebrand TV chef Ramsay.

Set to open later this year, it will evoke 1930s Tokyo drinking dens in the heart of the city’s business district with a mixture of Japanese whiskies, Asian small plates, Robata dishes and innovative cocktails.

Elsewhere, a dedicated raw bar will serve sushi and sashimi, whilst a standalone cocktail bar will proffer a fine selection of Japanese gins and over 50 sakes, alongside wine, beer and whisky.

The shiny new Asian dining concept first opened in Mayfair, London in 2019, taking over from its Michelin-starred predecessor Maze, which had previously occupied the Grosvenor Square location for fourteen years.

The Asian Eating House, known for serving a mixture of high-quality Asian small plates and Robata grilled dishes, has been quite the hit with the Mayfair crowd since its launch.

Now, Lucky Cat will venture up north, giving Mancunians a taste of Ramsay’s latest offering for the very first time.

A licensing application has been filed with Manchester City Council for our own Lucky Cat, which would see the new three-storey Asian-style bar and restaurant installed within the former HSBC bank.

Mirroring its reputation as a ‘vibrant late-night lounge’ in the capital, it looks set to be a bit of.a party bar, with proposed opening hours from 9am to 2.30am seven days a week and music a DJ playing into the early hours.

Read more: Manchester’s Swedish meatball cafe bar announces sudden closure

Elsewhere, if the experience in London is to be truly mirrored up north, we can expect chef’s tables offering ‘an experiential journey’ with guests able to choose from bespoke, handwritten, seasonal menus and enjoy a little theatre as they watch their chefs at work.

The bar will also offer the provision of ‘late-night refreshment’ between the hours of 11pm and 2.30am.

Feature image – Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay