Whatever you do, don't confuse Dublin's new Sugar Club with London's fashionable restaurant of the same name. The Dublin version is an interesting mix of bar, nightclub and performance venue, and it got its name because it is on the site of the old sugar company headquarters on Lower Leeson Street. The venue has been developed by Nicholas Toppin, currently owner of two Eddie Rockett franchises. He is leasing the 4,500 sq ft premises for £70,000 per annum and says he has spent close to £500,000 on extensive refurbishment.

Older film buffs will remember it was once the members-only Irish Film Theatre, which closed 15 years ago. At that time, the entrance was on Earlscourt Terrace. The main room is still the same but its cinema seating has been replaced with comfortable, heavily upholstered seats which have their own drinks tables. There is a stage and a large screen. "The idea was to create a comfortable venue for people who are 25-plus and who want a bit of comfort and luxury when they go out," says Mr Toppin. There is a waitress service to further appeal to slightly older patrons whose days of jostling at a bar to get a drink is over.

Aside from its use as a performance venue, its owner hopes that its sophisticated audio-visual and DVD system will encourage its use as a conference and seminar centre.

Mr Toppin says he can comfortably seat 220, and if there is any overflow, it can be accommodated in the bar which is soundproofed to prevent stage acts being drowned out by pub chat.

The Opperman architecture and design practice was responsible for the new look of the place and it chose a mixture of dark colours to give it a late night feel. The Sugar Club's bar is designed to look like a sophisticated cocktail bar and there is also a very contemporary looking glass-canopied entrance on Lower Leeson Street.

The building was available for lease for a considerable period of time and Mr Toppin admits that most of the major nightclub owners in the city had a look at it before deciding that as it does not fit into an easy niche, it would be too difficult to market and run.

Nicholas Toppin however, is very upbeat about his new venture, saying that thirtysomethings are always looking for a comfortable place to socialise, especially one that offers an ever-changing programme of entertainment.