THE life expectancy of city centre bars seems to be getting shorter. Latest in a spate of closures is Roc & Rye on Spring Gardens, which opened less than two years ago as a cocktail and coffee bar. Owners Maritza Haydon and Matt Bonner have blamed the "uncertain economic climate".
Such a shame. We had high hopes when they launched it in collaboration with legendary bar consultant Sean Finnegan guiding the cocktail offering (we never tried the coffee).
The venue was equally glam. The grade II-listed building, designed by Town Hall architect Alfred Waterhouse, was transformed by the trio into a riot of teal leather upholstery, botanical print wallpaper and gilded chandeliers. Latterly it was remodelled in shades of shocking pink.