One of Manchester’s longest-running bars is to get a huge, six-figure makeover. The iconic Revolution on Oxford Road, will be transformed with £144K being spent on a graffiti mural, new neons and ‘special effects lighting’ that will be a nod to the brand’s history.
And like an episode of DIY SOS, the revamp will be done over just six days, with the venue closing on May 22 and re-opening on May 28 in time for the Jubilee celebrations. It’ll also be throwing a grand re-opening party on May 28 which will pay homage to its 90s roots, as well as more parties over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Inside, the bar will refit its ‘vodka loft’ room, upgrade the venue’s sound system, install a photobooth and also add new lighting and projectors. And for the opening parties, the bar has also created four new cocktails - the Tennessee Cherry Sour,the Gold Rush, the Hollywood Highball and the Malibu Beach Bae, the last one being made from Malibu, Absolut Passionfruit Vodka, coconut, pineapple, lime and mango.
Revolution’s general manager Jack Pople said: “I can’t wait to get this refurbishment finished so people of Manchester can see what we’re all about here at Oxford Road. We feel very lucky to work in an environment where our team is so tight-knit and cohesive, and it will be amazing when the look and feel of the venue reflect this even more.
“From the graffiti mural to the special effects lighting and bold neon signs, the visuals look incredible and help to create the kind of electric atmosphere that guests have come to expect from the brand.”
Revolution was founded by friends Roy Ellis and Neil Macleod, who opened their first bar in Ashton together in 1991. They then bought the Oxford Road site in 1996, and branded it the first Revolution bar, peddling flavoured vodkas and cocktails. Such was the success of the venue, it spawned dozens of branches across the UK, running 21 bars - including three in London - by 2000 before the company floated on the stock exchange.
The company was bought out for more than £42 million in 2006, and launched its spin-off Revolucion de Cuba in 2011, focussing on rum. The company currently has 48 Revolution bars across the UK, and has 67 sites altogether.
However, the group has struggled in recent years, particularly since the pandemic, and had to raise £21 million with new shares in May last year, after finding itself in nearly £30 million worth of debt.
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