The OG Revolution bar on Oxford Road is set to shut its doors for a few days on the 22nd May as it undergoes an eye- popping makeover.
Few would deny that 1996 was a great year in British pop culture.
Brit Pop was at its peak, with Oasis and the Spice Girls dominating the charts, whilst club classics from Faithless and Underworld kept the nation’s dancefloors packed.
There were also plenty of R&B and hip hop heavy-hitters from across the pond, with the likes of Blackstreet, Fugees and Ginuwine releasing earworms aplenty.
It was a great time to be alive. It was also the year the now-iconic vodka bar Revolution
launched its first venue, on Oxford Road in Manchester.
Fast forward 26 years and the brand is a household name, with bars all over the country’s hottest nightlife spots.
Revolution set itself apart from the competition by infusing crushed up candies and other wild flavours into vodka shots and creating a unique party atmosphere that could not be replicated.
Of course, the key to long-term success is to keep evolving, and Revolution has demonstrated its chameleon-like qualities time after time.
The OG bar is set to shut its doors for a few days on the 22nd May as it undergoes an eye-
popping makeover. It will then re-open on 28th May with the full relaunch events kicking off on the Jubilee weekend of 3rd and 4th June, with a weekend of themed parties to celebrate the revamp with a throwback to the era in which it was born.
Guests can expect 2 floors of exceptional music, with the loft dropping disco and indie
classics and the main bar celebrating the sounds of the mid-90s up to the early 2000s.
There will also be dancers, a mirror man sax player and food and drink samples. The parties will take place on both Friday and Saturday night.
Special effects lighting
The new design will build upon the current exposed brick look with the addition of some eye- catching neon signs and artwork. There will also be plenty of nods to Revolution’s status as the UK’s premier vodka bar, including a vodka display spanning the brand's creative history.
The previously uninspired street view of the venue will now showcase a huge graffiti mural, a new colour scheme, and special effect lighting designed to pop on Oxford Road. Step inside and you’ll be greeted with bold colours and neon signs, making it perfect for an impromptu photo shoot.
The main bar makes good use of the high windows, with copper tones and accent features
which pay homage to the bar’s roots.
Head upstairs and you’ll discover one of Manchester’s best-hidden gems, the Vodka Loft, which has also benefited from a major overhaul with a fresh and funky vibe that will take the bar to the forefront of Manchester’s legendary bar scene.
Boasting a full bar, photobooth, top-tier sound system, effects lights and projector, it’s the
ideal location to drink, dine or host meetings, with the versatility to be transformed into a
party venue for more informal events.
Hollywood Highball
Guests attending the re-opening parties will also be able to sample the brand-new summer
cocktail specials menu, which features 4 new creations inspired by classic Americana. The
bespoke concoctions include the Tennessee Cherry Sour, Gold Rush, Hollywood Highball
and the Malibu Beach Bae. The latter is essentially summer in a glass, with a fruity blend of
Malibu rum, Absolut Passionfruit Vodka, coconut, pineapple, lime and mango.
Oxford Road prides itself on being a venue for all occasions, and whilst many bars have
come and gone since 1996, Revolution has stood the test of time. Its prime location just a
stone’s throw away from Oxford Road train station and the Palace Theatre has made it a
magnet for pre-theatre bites and thirsty commuters.
Its position in the heart of Manchester’s university district has also made it an essential
location for students, whether celebrating an occasion or dropping in for a tasty lunch
between lectures. Revolution continues to support local students with one of the best
discount schemes around, and free access to the Vodka Loft.
Jack Pople, Revolution General Manager 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.’’
