Tucked away behind Lever Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, brand new Latin American-inspired restaurant, bar and music-first venue Dahlia Stereo is cooking up a storm. Two years in the making, this independent, creative space maintains a strict capacity of under 200 guests to preserve a personal and immersive atmosphere.
Designed by DJs, musicians, and sound engineers, Dahlia Stereo aims to set a new national standard for acoustic design in hospitality, functioning as a sonically optimised bar and restaurant open until 1am five nights a week.
Three concepts of Dahlia
The venue seamlessly integrates three distinct concepts under one roof. At the culinary core is Barbacoa Cósmica, an open-fire grill kitchen inspired by the flavours of Latin America and the American South.
Anchoring the central room is Bar Más Bonita, a vibrant liquorita modelled after Latin American neighbourhood spirit shops. Bar Más Bonita specialises in tequila, mezcal, rum, and regional spirits, featuring a bold, in-house drinks menu with signature batched and bottled creations such as frozen drinks and the Champagne Su-Paloma.
Completing the trio is the dedicated Dahlia Stereo listening lounge, engineered entirely around bespoke audio equipment. Exceptional sound design is the foundation of the venue. The main system, named System Sonida, is a custom setup handmade by the renowned Hatchett Sound and technically calibrated across both floors by Jonny “Oppo” of Manchester’s Neuron Audio.
Music programming is led by Jonjo Williams (Maribou State) and Rich Reason (Hit & Run), alongside co-founder Andy Windsor, bringing world-class selectors to the Northern Quarter.
‘El Primera’ launch weekend series
The venue debuts with its ‘El Primera’ launch weekend series.
- Thursday 10 September showcases BBC 6 Music’s Gilles Peterson
- Friday 11 September back-to-back launch set from Joey T and Jon Da Silva
- Saturday 12 September hosts the “Soulbound” launch party with Rich Reason and friends
- Concluding on Sunday 13 September with a relaxed Sunday Barbacoa session
The broader Season 1 roster includes festival-calibre names such as Jamz Supernova, Dam Swindle, Quantic, Gia Fu, and DJ Die.
Dahlia Stereo operates Wednesday to Sunday, opening from 4pm on weekdays and from midday on weekends, with DJs playing continuously throughout operating hours.
Reservations for dining, drinks, and late-night guest list access go live on Friday 11 September.
Due to the venue’s limited capacity, advance booking is strongly recommended to guarantee evening entry.
📍 Dahlia Stereo, Unit 1 + 2, The Hive, 47 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN.
