Adding to the bustling neighbourhood that is Kampus this May is an exciting new opening known as Red Light. Mancs can get excited for the highly-anticipated and swish LGBTQ+ cocktail den, which is set to provide a stylish new spot to drink and catch up with mates at.
Set in a Victorian warehouse just off Little David Street, Red Light plans to be the city’s newest ‘laid-back lounge’, providing a little bit of escapism with plenty of cosy corners, industrial décor complimenting the existing features of Minshull Warehouse and queer art. In addition to fantastic cocktails, guests at the reservations-only space will also be able to enjoy disco beats setting the cosmopolitan vibe, alongside outdoor seating on the stunning Little David Street, where they can soak up the Kampus vibes throughout the summer months.
Deana Ferguson, Red Light founder, said: “We’ve created a cool and edgy queer bar that couples’ incredible drinks with top-notch service, something that we know will compliment what’s already on offer in this area.” The bar’s name is a nod to the LGBT+ history of Kampus, with the canals and warehouses once at the heart of the cotton industry, but then becoming a hidden red-light district after the businesses wound down.
“Red Light is an LGBTQ+ space but everyone is welcome. Our walls will be adorned with queer local artists, showcasing Manchester’s finest talent, and celebrating icons from history. We have a selection of signature cocktails that I’ve been perfecting over the years. Red Light is dimly lit and intimate, the perfect date spot or somewhere to simply while away the night with some of the best drinks in town”, said Deana.
Cocktails include “Red Light Calling”, Deana’s own take on the modern classic, London Calling featuring home-made lychee soda and coconut fat-washed gin alongside “Artists Special #2” which is an ode to her homeland of Belfast, featuring Jameson’s whiskey and olorosso sherry. Plus, guests can try “Naked & Almost Famous”, Deana’s own take on the modern classic, Naked & Famous featuring mezcal, Campari, Aperol, yellow chartreuse and lime. There will also be an extensive martini menu, featuring the classic dry martini to a jalapeno and olive mashup dirty martini.
Opening on May 3, the cocktail bar will also boast a menu of natural wines as well as ales from the city’s independent breweries such as Bury’s Brightside Brewery and joins the likes of Nell’s, Barkside, Yum Cha and the recently announced Seven Bro7hers and Three Little Words at Kampus.
You can now book your table at Red Light here.