A Whitefield tribute bar is packing a punch with its entertainment as it gets ready to welcome a former world heavyweight boxing legend through its doors.
Roberto Polacco and Adrian Edwards, both from Bury, opened Icons on Higher Lane last May with the goal of "upping the ante" and going above and beyond what a normal restaurant would do.
As well as being a restaurant, Icons regularly welcomes a large range of tribute acts as well as hosting its weekly "Soul Sundays" and karaoke nights.
Chef and co-owner, Adrian, said that it can be hard work but "there is nothing else he would rather do".
He said: “It can be tough work and we are busy in the kitchens, but the tributes are amazing and it's so much fun.
"Last week everyone in the building ended up doing one huge conga line!”
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Adrian and Roberto say they have worked together for years and will continue to develop their venue by "giving the people what they want" and giving back to charity.
Roberto said: “We want to make good money for charity, it is something we must do where and whenever we can.”
In swapping tributes for "the real deal" on May 27, the pair hope to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) through a black-tie event with entertainment, a three-course meal and a night with Frank Bruno, a former heavyweight world champion.
Tickets cost £100 per person or £250 for a VIP ticket which among other perks, entitles the holder to have their meal with Bruno.
Adrian said: “We have had him in at our old place before and he is incredible, and I must add that his laugh is real!”
The pair said that if the night is a success, they have been looking at doing a similar event with James Argent (Arg) from The Only Way is Essex.
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Although the unique venue has seemingly gone from strength to strength since opening in May, the pair admitted that the cost of living crisis played a part in reducing their opening times.
Adrian said: “It has been hard, but we have regular customers who love what we do.
“When we first opened, we did seven days a week for months but with bills going up and some days being quieter, it made more sense to cut it to four days, Thursday to Sunday.
“We also had to start charging for tickets to the tribute nights as the performer's fees went up too as well as the cost of food and electric.”
Having previously worked together in Congleton, the pair, jumped at the chance to open somewhere closer to home.
Roberto said: “This wasn’t gonna be Icons but we always had the idea of having famous people on the walls.
“After a while, everything started coming together, we turned into Icons and it escalated to having the tributes.
“We are always trying to up the ante and be different which is why we had such a laugh when making the menu and names for the dishes.”
One of the best reactions from customers is for the "Shrimps on a Barbie" dish, which is served on a Barbie doll.
Adrian said: “When we have chefs coming in from other places to cover, we get a few funny looks as to why we have a load of Barbie dolls stashed in the back but the reaction from customers is fantastic.”
Both owners, who are fathers, say that they want to use their niche and success to help prevent child abuse or help victims by partnering with the NSPCC.
There are 100 tickets for the event which will take place next door to Icons at Mahal and more information can be found here.
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