Award-winning LGBTQ+ cocktail bar Red Light has made a surprise return to Manchester, reopening on Tariff Street in the Northern Quarter with a revamped interior, an expanded food and drink menu, and a fresh programme of music and live performance.
Founded by Deana Ferguson, the much-loved venue has relocated to a new space next door to The Whisky Jar, bringing its signature aesthetic allure to a bigger home complete with sleek booth seating, striking red lighting and an outdoor terrace open until 11pm. The interiors also showcase work by queer local photographers Jen Melia, Sara Carpentieri, Nick Priestley and Harmeet Singh.
The cocktail menu retains familiar favourites, from the spicy pickle martini Especiado and the Pink Picante to the Pomme Verte appletini twist and Pornstar Chic, made with homemade passionfruit sorbet. Alongside the drinks, a new savoury snack menu features boquerones, pickled guindilla peppers, Gordal olives, mini croissant butter blondies from Pollen and homemade salted popcorn ice cream.
Beyond the bar, Red Light is expanding its entertainment programme with weekly live jazz, drag showcases, burlesque and late-night DJ sets spanning Italo disco and French house, alongside themed nights encouraging guests to dress up and express themselves. Further events are expected once the downstairs club space opens later this year.
Operating primarily on a walk-in basis, with table service throughout and private hire also available, Red Light’s new Northern Quarter address reintroduces a popular name to Manchester’s nightlife landscape with a broader offering and a more fully realised home.
Red Light is now open on Tariff Street, next door to The Whisky Jar. Find out more via the venue’s website.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Mon 12 Oct 2026
