THEATREGOERS in Southampton will have another opportunity to grab a drink at The Mayflower Theatre after one of its bars enjoyed a makeover.

The stars of the Commercial Road venue’s latest show – The Jersey Boys – reopened the popular watering hole after months of refurbishment.

And Tim Driesen, Sam Ferriday, Lewis Griffiths and Stephen Webb, who play Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the internationally acclaimed stage sensation Jersey Boys, popped the champagne at the former Balcony Bar.

It was closed for refurbishment at the end of March and has since been striped back completely and rebuilt, and given a new name – the Spotlights Bar.

The design emerged from a collaborative project between Mayflower Theatre and Southampton Solent University, where second-year BA (Hons) interior design decoration students submitted designs for the balcony bar and toilets.

The brief asked for a functional, contemporary bar and lounge space incorporating existing features of the listed building.

Mary Norledge’s winning design includes a new curved bar and stylish decor and incorporates features from runner up Tiffany Evan’s design including bench seating and 3D words telling the history of the theatre.

Tasha Finch, head of customer operations at Mayflower Theatre said: “We are delighted to open our new Spotlights Bar.

“It is the last of our bars and function suites to receive a refurbishment and we think it looks fantastic.

“The designs we received from Solent University Students were of an incredibly high calibre, and we are proud to be able to display their interior design talents.

“We constantly strive to improve our customers experience at Mayflower Theatre and we hope that our customers will love using the new Spotlights Bar.”

Spotlights Bar is open as a public bar for pre-show and interval drinks whenever the balcony seating area is open.

It is also available to hire as a function room for businesses and private clients.

For bookings and information contact Mayflower Hospitality on 023 8071 1824.