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Located across from the Chapters/Paramount complex, (tucked in behind Montana), M Lounge - with its newly implanted gothic entrance and music drifting through the doorway – is a 4,700 square foot 'clubland hugging' space that was previously The Big Smoke.

Dubbed “M,” in order to kill off any connection to its previous existence, the lounge is fitted with private booths, bottle service and a 500-piece illuminated glass-art installation. Designer Marc Kyriacou (West, Brant House) helmed the interior design of the 300-person boutique bar and lounge; using the appeal of fashion and chocolate as inspiration, M is heavy in rich woods, marble and ultra suede. The shiny, dark wood floor brings character to the space, as do the large columns and a recessed section of the ceiling. A projector screen loops videos on the front wall. A huge hanging glass and wood sculpture hangs above the main bar that doubles as a premium vodka freezer.

Kyriacou did a great job at retaining the original architecture of the place while adding his own lounge-style ultra-suede-Dionysian twist. The back room, for example, is lit with RGB lighting, which changes the colour of the space throughout the night, mixes the comfortable and the cutting-edge. Private booths offer folks a semi-intimate experience with complete bottle service. Smart, square tables ringed by puffy banquets occupy the raised seating arrangements, but in truth there’s not a bad spot in the house.