From the glitz of the stage to the thump of nightclub speakers, one of Street's most iconic buildings has seen it all. And now, more than a century since it first opened its doors, it's found new life as The Loft Lounge and Bar — a family-friendly venue with serious community spirit.

Once home to The Playhouse Theatre, then Maximes Cinema, and later Envy nightclub, the Leigh Road venue has always been about bringing people together. Now, it's back at the heart of Street's social scene — this time with steak nights, drag brunches, daytime discos and private hire parties that range from proms to christenings.

Behind it all is Mark Tobin, with over 35 years of hospitality and event experience, who stepped in after the pandemic when the building was on the brink of being lost to history once again.

"This building has been at the heart of community, entertainment and fun in Street since it was built in 1920," he says. "We've gone through just about every crisis there could be since I opened – the tail end of the pandemic, the fuel crisis, the cost of living, Brexit uncertainty, the war in Ukraine – but we're still here, and we're stepping through every challenge that has been thrown at us."

After a brief stint as Pillars Bar & Grill, the venue sat dark through Covid. When the former owner decided not to reopen, Mark bought the business, rebranded it, reinvested in the property and started from scratch — at a time when most people were still staying home.

"There were some very hard times," he says. "People had got used to staying in. The mindset had changed and the late-night economy was floundering. But Street was crying out for somewhere to go. Somewhere with atmosphere, great food, and suitable for the whole family."

Since opening in November 2021, The Loft has become exactly that — a space for all ages and all occasions. It offers everything from bespoke buffets and five-course banquets to cabaret nights, live music, and even over-30s daytime discos. It's open for private hire seven days a week, with much of the Christmas party diary already booked up.

"There is absolutely nothing that's been asked of me over the years that I haven't been able to deliver. I believe that each and every event is special and unique and I tailor-make the event to suit the individual's exact requirements," says Mark. "We've hosted wedding celebrations for couples who met here back when it was a nightclub. I've had people tell me this was the first place they went to the cinema. I love the history of this building and the community of Street."

Mark hasn't just brought the venue back to life — he's thrown himself into life in Street, too. He sits on the board of the Glastonbury & Street Chamber of Commerce, chairs the Street Retailers & Traders Group and actively supports several local charities and community events, continuing the building's long-standing tradition of serving not just as an entertainment space, but a true community hub.

The building also holds deep personal meaning for Mark. Nestled upstairs is Marion's Lounge, a self-contained, private space named after his late mother. "She passed away just before I took the venue on," he says. "It's an exclusive, peaceful space, perfect for smaller gatherings – and it means a lot to me that her name is part of the building's future. She never got to see my dreams become a reality."

That future is built on rich history. The site first opened as The Playhouse Theatre in 1921. It became Maximes Cinema, seating 561 locals for decades of blockbusters before closing in 1989. Then came the nightclub era — Maximes became Envy, a hotspot for Somerset's partygoers until its final New Year's Eve in 2016.

After all its incarnations, The Loft is once again doing what it's always done best — hosting everything from birthday parties and baby showers to award ceremonies and corporate functions, all with Mark's trademark personal attention to detail.

Proud to partner with The Loft

The Loft is the newest sponsor of Glastonbury and Street Nub News, and we're delighted to welcome them on board as they continue to grow their place at the centre of Street's community and late-night economy.

Want in?

Whether you're planning a wedding reception or just fancy a burger and a boogie, The Loft has it covered.

Book a table or make an enquiry at theloftstreet.co.uk.or email Mark at [email protected]