Snobs boss snaps up high profile city centre restaurant and bar

The owner of Snobs Bar & Nightclub has snapped up Jailbird, the up scale restaurant and bar on Birmingham’s Colmore Row which closed suddenly in January.

The venue housed in a Grade II-listed former bank, which replaced lobster and beer place Nosh and Quaff, had been open for less than eight months when it became the city’s first restaurant casualty of 2019.

Originally an office and banking hall for Alliance Assurance until the 1990s, the site has been bought by Wayne Tracey, who most notably operates Snobs Bar & Nightclub, a staple of the Birmingham nightlife spanning decades.

He is also due to start trading at the former Bureau Bar on Colmore Row later this year.

Despite the popularity of the Snobs operating model, he says he plans to embark on a new venture, focusing on a premium bar and late night operation to complement the surrounding venues nearby.

Tracey plans to rebrand and reopen the site and said: “We are looking forward to opening Theatrix this August Bank Holiday in arguably one of Birmingham’s best locations, Colmore Row.

“Foused in a stunning Grade II listed building, we are working hard to restore the original details of the venue with a unique twist and ensure that Theatrix will be exactly what the location is crying out for.

“Expect a relaxed atmosphere by day, to wind down with a few drinks amongst friends, and see the venue come to life at night with spectacular entertainment and live instrumentals from talented musicians.”

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co handled the sale.

Joshua Sullivan, senior business agent at Christie & Co, said: “The disposal of the former Jailbird unit garnered significant interest both from Birmingham and London based operators. Following a comprehensive marketing campaign, we managed to secure an attractive proposition for the client from a successful multiple operator based in Birmingham.

“The sale emphasises the continued interest in Colmore Row and the City Centre from operators for licensed and leisure premises, despite the current political uncertainty and challenges faced by the high street. Birmingham appears to be bucking the trend with the addition of new operators entering the city centre marketplace such as Flight Club, Rudy’s, and Franco Manco, and this supports a positive outlook for the leisure sector compared with the casual dining scene.”