Welcome to The Pillars Restaurant and Lounge Bar - an exciting new venue in the heart of Street
We're quickly earning a reputation for one of the best venues in town. Set over two floors with a secluded alfresco terrace, our ground floor bar offers an extensive range of wines, Champagnes, beers, ales and ciders as well as our own brand of home brewed craft ale.
Experience and enjoy the sophisticated atmosphere that Street's newest venue now offers.
The Pillars has been sympathetically refurbished to acknowledge its entertainment history throughout the decades.
History of The Site
The beginning
The building was built in 1920 for two local businessmen, Mr Voaks, a local butcher and Mr Hecks, the forerunner of the local Hecks cider farm. The doors first opened on 15th January, 1921 as "The Playhouse Theatre." The Playhouse had four changing rooms, a 20ft deep stage and a 26ft wide proscenium. The original proscenium arch can still be seen today above what is now the piano deck. The arched ceiling is an original pressed tin design.
The transition
The Playhouse Theatre gave way to the Playhouse Cinema as technology evolved and the big curtains gave way to the big screen.
The age of the cinema
The building retained the name "The Playhouse" for 25 years until July 1946, when it was renamed "Maximes Cinema". For over 40 years, the building enjoyed life as a cinema with a variety of owners including Cornell Cinemas until the mid 50's and then Myles Byrne Cinemas. Maximes had one screen and 561 seats. Many local Somerset people will recall watching their first film on the big screen and many we are sure will recall magical and memorable romantic interludes within the many rows!
The end of the big screen
Maximes cinema played its last film on 15th September 1989.
The start of the nightclub
After the cinema closed, the seats were removed to create large open spaces. The screen was taken down to create more depth to the building and the next phase of the building's life was born into Maximes Nightclub. Maximes traded as a night club for many years. In 2001, the club embarked on a major refurbishment and was re-born as "Envy". Most residents of Somerset refer to the building now as the 'Envy building'.
Envy enjoyed being a popular destination for thousands of party-goers hosting many themed nights and live music presentations.
In June 2015, the owner Adam Fynn, announced he was to relocate and set about plans to sell the building and applied for planning permission to develop the site into residential properties.
The end of the night club era
On 11th December 2016, the then operators of Envy announced that the club would close at the end of the year and on 31st December 2016, Envy Nighclub opened and closed its doors for the very last time.
The building sat dormant, empty and cold for nearly four months before going to auction on 27th April 2017. The building failed to sell at auction and the doors at Envy remained closed.
A new beginning
The building was finally purchased by us in June 2017. The new owner vowed to preserve the historic building and return it to back to its former glory as an entertainment venue for the mid Somerset arena. Throughout the remainder of 2017 and into the first half of 2018, plans were made and relevant planning permissions granted to commence the transformation of the building into the Loft.
Throughout the re-development of the site, we have been sympathetic to the buildings unique history as an entertainment venue. We have combined all its past into the future, with food, drink, entertainment and music, all under one roof!
We are very proud of the achievements and of the building. We do hope that you enjoy your experience here and look forward to welcoming you back to Pillars again soon.
The Management
Facilities include:
Facilities :
- Unrivalled Grill Menu
- Al fresco dining area
- Regular Live Music & Entertainment
- Our own craft ales and beers
- Over 45 wines from around the world
- Available for private hire
- Wedding Receptions
- Unrivalled Cocktail & Gin Bar
- Market Fresh Daily Food
- Christmas Parties
- Christenings
- Large Dance Floor