Corridor Bar, in Darlington, to reopen after years away

The Corridor Bar is set to throw open the doors to its stylish bar on Friday, November 1 following a recent revamp. 

The Northumberland Street venue, which initially opened in Darlington around 15 years ago, has been closed since before the Covid pandemic.

Since then it has remained vacant, being used by popular sister venue Imperial Express Cafe for storage space. 

Inside the Corridor Bar (Image: CORRIDOR BAR)

However, the wine glasses and cocktail shakers have been dusted off and polished after Imperial Express owner Tony Bowie decided it was time to revitalise the empty space. 

Taking the reins of the exciting new project is Tony’s daughter Ella, 20, who has been doing “bits and pieces” since January to breathe new life into the bar. 

Tony, who has worked at the Imperial cafe since 1991, said he thought “long and hard” about relaunching the venue while having a clearout. 

Ella Bowie (Image: Ella Bowie)

The Corridor Bar is back (Image: CORRIDOR BAR)

Now, the doors are set to re-open in a matter of weeks, serving quality wines, cocktails, and a string of other luxury spirits. 

“We’re trying to be a bit different”, Tony, 60, told The Northern Echo this week.

“We’re going to introduce some small menu items, similar to what we previously had with a small selection of Italian-style tapas. 

Ella Bowie is taking the reins of the project (Image: CORRIDOR BAR)

“My daughter Ella is 20 and didn’t want to go to university, and wanted to work for me since leaving college, despite getting good A-levels.

"This is her little baby next door. “We’re going to open on Fridays and Saturdays and then will see how it goes - and potentially roll out further.” 

From new lighting to revamped stools, the bar has a whole new look, also benefitting from a fresh lick of paint. 

Tony continued: “It took Ella about a year to do the work, she’s been doing it on and off really.” 

Ella added: “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after my A-Levels but I loved working at the cafe. Then my dad mentioned doing this. 

Recommended reading:

• Greggs opens new store at Morton Park in Darlington
• White Stuff to open Teesside Park store in matter of days
• Matei Baran and Darlington Market team up for Social Canteen

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 5 months for just £5. Click here.

“We had quite a lot of customers mention whether we were going to re-open. Then dad suggested doing it as a project.” 

The Corridor Bar recently posted several pictures on Facebook of the luxury venue, teasing punters of its return earlier this month. 

Fans said they “loved the little bar” - saying it “looks fantastic” as the announcement of its return was confirmed on October 20.