Featuring great cocktails, handpicked wines and sakes, classic Asian high balls and moreish bar snacks

After a drastic refurbishment, the Norman Bar, which closed in April 2019, is to reopen on the 22nd of November as 'Power, Corruption & Lies’.

Leeds bar group Akito, headed up by local bar veteran Paul Lane, is behind the new venue, which promises to be a quality place to eat, drink and dance

One of the minds behind Oporto, Neon Cactus, Jake’s Bar & Still Room and Knaves Kitchen, Paul has more than made his mark on the independent Leeds food and drink scene. ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ will be Akito’s first brand new opening since taking over the other Call Lane bars in Autumn 2018, and the team are relishing the challenge. 

2019 10 13 Oporto
Akito are also behind other Leeds institutions such as Oporto

Akito are striving to create an unpretentious, ambitious and quality place to eat, drink and dance, centered around a huge 40-foot bar specialising in innovative cocktails, the best wines and authentic sake, matched with Pan-Asian small plates. 

Created by a dedicated and experienced team of bartenders, the drinks menu at ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ has been built with the same commitment to innovative and ambitious offerings the group is famous for, featuring great cocktails, handpicked wines and sakes, as well as classic Asian high balls. The new bar team will draw on their expertise and experience to create an original selection of unique & diverse cocktails alongside an ever-changing line up of guest wines and Asian-inspired spirits.

Complimenting the impressive drinks offering is a menu devised by Akito executive chef Harley Ali, that is ambitious yet respectful of the culinary traditions that inspired it. They’ll be serving a selection of moreish bar snacks like ‘Chicken Karaage & Szechuan Aioli’, alongside dishes that are designed to share like ‘Massaman spiced crab’ and ‘aged beef rump cap’. These main dishes will also be served alongside a revolving selection of Dim Sum and Bao, built around seasonal, local ingredients. 

2019 05 07 Espresso Martinis Neon Cactus
Espresso Martini at Neon Cactus, another Akito bar

Named after the seminal record from synth-pop pioneers New Order, music, as with all Akito bars, will be at the heart of ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ and sees the bar drawing on their love of all things disco. The bar’s playlists & regular late night DJs will track the genre from it’s birth through to the present day, honouring the originators and innovators of the movement.

Paul Lane, Director of Akito says: “We’re so excited to open our first brand new venue as Akito and the team have knocked it out of the park, creating an incredible food and drink offering. For our first venue to be opening on Call Lane where I’ve spent over half my life is a dream come true. Can’t wait to get the doors open!” 

‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ will be open 7 days a week from 12pm until 2am (3am at weekends) Reservations and enquiries can be made by calling 0113 4300 144 or by emailing info@powercorruptionandlies.co.uk