I visited a Manchester cocktail bar that’s one of the best in the UK- its cool vibe makes it easy to see why
Manchester’s cocktail bar scene has rarely been underappreciated in recent times
However, this particular scene is improving and the release of the 2025 Best Cocktail Bars in the UK list reaffirms this. No fewer than four Manchester establishments feature on the list, and one is a bar which is in the top 50 for the first time.
The Red Light is tucked away behind Kampus, down a cobbled street and on the doorstep of popular Pizza eatery Nells. To see what the fuss was all about, I paid a visit to The Red Light for an afternoon drink.
The sleek design of the bar's sign on the street outside welcomes guests. A leafy exterior is a crude contrast to the red brick buildings of Kampus, and this LGBTQ+ friendly bar has a cool vibe that I enjoyed from the off.
Visiting shortly after the bar opened its doors for the day, a chilled atmosphere was interjected by some club sounds. These felt just a bit too loud for the time of day, but after a few minutes I could feel the sounds and the atmosphere coming together in unison. The walls of the bar show scenes of LGBTQ+ rights events over the years, and it's hard not to feel inspired looking around at the images.
Now for the important part- the drinks. The menu has a vast selection of alcoholic cocktails, and plenty with no alcohol for anyone not inclined that way, or who might be a designated driver. I opted for The Golden Eagle, which sounded very grand in name.
The drink is a tropical cocktail that blends tequila, pineapple, passionfruit, lime, and Campari. The kick of the tequila is given a more subtle roll in this drink, and the fruit drinks make for a tasty sweet finish. Cocktails are priced between £11 and £13 bounds and are made by a team that is clearly skilled at what they do.
Around the corner from Canal Street and nestled on Little David Street, The Red Light makes for a fine spot for a sophisticated drink in a moody setting. The speakeasy vibe that the bars website suggests it aims for is spot on, and I felt as though I was drinking in one of Manchester’s best kept secrets.