Marquee AV has provided an audio and lighting installation at the newly opened, exclusive American-Italian Louis Restaurant in Manchester. This latest venture by Permanently Unique aims to transport diners back to another era, exuding sophistication and authenticity.
The restaurant’s owners collaborated with celebrated Chef Zisis Giannouras and Chef Ippokratis to develop an Italian-American menu featuring classic dishes such as Iberico meatballs in marinara sauce, green lip breaded mussels, and Osso Buco alla Milanese, all elevated with specialist ingredients. The menu also boasts cocktail creations like the Bloody Maria, a unique take on the Manhattan, and the PB&J Old Fashioned.
Marquee AV was introduced to the project to design an audio system and lighting display that would facilitate live music performances while integrating seamlessly into the classic design of the space.
The system also needed to keep pace with DJ sets and late-night supper club evenings. With extensive experience in high-end live music and restaurant venues across the country, Marquee AV was well-prepared for this challenge.
The restaurant features a stage at the front of the room for performers, shielded by red velvet curtains and overlooked by a gold feature ceiling. Tables are positioned along the front of the stage, requiring an audio system that distributes music evenly to all tables. The feature ceiling prevented speakers from being mounted above, so Marquee AV sought an alternative solution.
L-Acoustics Syva was chosen to drive the music from the stage, with one unit placed on either side. The sleek Syva package integrates unnoticeably into the venue while delivering the required audio quality. L-Acoustics X8 loudspeakers outline the rest of the venue to ensure even audio distribution, and SB10i subwoofers are strategically hidden within seating areas.
The live audio setup is controlled by an SQ5 digital mixer, which offers precision and flexibility in sound management. This is further enhanced by the DX168 audio racks and the DX012 digital expander, which together provide extensive input and output options, ensuring seamless integration and scalability for any event size. All these components are powered by L-Acoustics amplifiers.
To light the stage, Marquee AV selected the EVE-P160 by Chauvet, which boasts a high CRI and LUX output even when thrown from a moderate distance. These lights were ideal for hanging in front of the stage, achieving high-quality, bright lighting. Claypaky Mini B spots, which are small but perfectly packaged, have been implemented for effects lighting on the stage, including lighting the custom GOBO that projects ‘Louis’ on the red velvet curtains when they are closed.
The Chauvet Intimidator Spot 260X was used for the stage for a more traditional ‘spot’ moving-head with full 360-degree rotation. This light is suited to high-energy, dance floor coverage, and also lights up the two mirror balls installed by Marquee, which are uncovered during the evening music sets to create a ‘70s disco atmosphere.
Rigging for the lighting had to be shaped around the feature ceiling, so the team at Marquee constructed a custom curved rigging that matched the angle curvature of the feature. This was the biggest challenge to navigate, but the Marquee team collaborated closely with the designers, meticulously designing the rigging and spray painting all three of the 3m, fully pre wired box lighting trusses in black to blend seamlessly with the ceiling structure.
Spot 260Xs were installed to the outer area, preprogrammed to focus the spot on any table in the room. This was a useful function for parties and events that might take place here.
The lighting system is controlled by ShowCAD lighting software, a powerful and versatile tool that allows for intricate programming and real-time control of lighting effects. ShowCAD’s intuitive interface enables staff to easily manage and adjust lighting scenes to suit different moods and events throughout the evening. The software supports a wide range of lighting fixtures and effects, ensuring that the lighting setup can be adapted for various performances and occasions.
Senior project manager at Marquee AV describes the journey of the project, “Our team has thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of this project and working at this classy venue. From the outset, we knew that integrating our advanced audio-visual systems would require a delicate balance of technical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity. The décor was so refined, we worked meticulously to ensure that every piece of equipment blended seamlessly with the interiors. This meant not only selecting the right products but also customising elements like the rigging and trusses to match the venue’s elegant style. Seeing the final result and receiving such positive feedback from the venue and its guests has been incredibly rewarding for our entire team.”
The new audio-visual setup has been very well received by the venue, its guests, and the musicians performing there. The founder of Louis Restaurant explains, “I experienced the venue for the first time last night and was blown away. The audio-visual setup by Marquee AV has truly transformed our space, creating an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and vibrant. We’ve received great feedback on your handover team, who have been incredibly helpful in bedding the system in. This collaboration has exceeded our expectations, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”