New Permit Room Restaurant Opens in Liverpool, Showcasing Bombay-Inspired Design
Macaulay Sinclair's fifth Permit Room collaboration with the Dishoom team.
Interior architecture and design studio Macaulay Sinclair has unveiled the latest iteration of the Permit Room restaurant, now open at No.1 Dale Street in Liverpool. This all-day bar café, developed in collaboration with Dishoom, draws its inspiration from traditional Bombay permit rooms and quarter bars, reimagined within a more expansive and grand setting.
The venue is housed in a Grade II listed building, originally designed by architect Charles Robert Cockerell and constructed between 1856 and 1858. The location is notable for its impressive civic architecture and monumental scale, which adds to the restaurant’s unique atmosphere.
Spanning 5,300 square feet at ground level and accommodating 140 guests, the design integrates seamlessly with the existing structure. The building’s decorative ceiling, featuring a vaulted profile and ornate cornice, remains a focal point, finished in a calming sea green hue.
Ian Roome, director at Macaulay Sinclair, commented on the design process: “With so much significant historic fabric, the design here needed to respond directly to the building, rather than follow what we’ve done before with Permit Room.” He emphasised the use of a material palette that prioritises quality natural materials, stating, “There is still a playfulness in pattern and colour, but it sits more quietly against the 19th century architecture.”
The interior features geometric terrazzo flooring, honed marble bar tops, and a selection of vintage cabinets that enhance the back bar area. A large glazed timber screen separates the bar dining area from the breakfast room, while still allowing for a visual connection between the two spaces.
Music plays a vital role in the identity of the Permit Room, with a dedicated DJ desk positioned at the entrance beneath an extended canopy on Dale Street. Ian added, “Alongside this, a hand painted playlist and a vintage jukebox help to anchor that part of the room.”
The restaurant’s aesthetic is further enriched by artwork from contemporary Bombay creatives and emerging South Asian artists. Vintage furniture, lighting, and screens have been sourced from India and meticulously restored by skilled craftspeople before their arrival in the UK.
This project marks the fifth collaboration between Macaulay Sinclair and the Permit Room brand. Permit Room Liverpool is located at Exchange Court, 1 Dale Street, L2 2PP, and officially opened its doors in March.
