Revolution

Amazing experience, cocktails on point Strawberry Spritz
Met new friends, lovely environment, very close to the office as well yeeey, will definitely be back real soon

The service was great, instantly made to feel welcome. Waited a little long between the started and the main, however didnt really notice because of the great cocktails!!! Would reccomend this for a friendly lunch with friends!

I’m 57 & I love coming here. Beer is good & cheap if u buy a Privilege card. Door staff are 1^st rate + professional. I come here to relax — music can be annoying sometimes but hey, it’s the beer & venue.

I love Revolution at Deansgate Locks. its one of my favourite places to hang out in the summer on that huge balcony what runs along all the bars at Deansgate Locks. Staff are friendly and theres no need to go to the bar as they come up and serve you. they have also had a massive renovation on the inside as well and it looks great! on mondays they do great offers including 50% off food and on cocktails as well so perfect for those summer evenings after work or even a catch up with friends.

I won’t give a very experimented review of the place as I am not a clubbing beast: Nevertheless, I’ll try to give as much informations as I can, not really knowing what people expect from nightclub in general. Pros: commercial music that you enjoy with a lot of alcohol in your blood, a terraces which bales smokers … To smoke, free. Cons: you can’t give your bag at the dressing room (just you coat): not easy to dance when you have a 10 kilos handbag, not good for your balance. /​waited 1 hour before having a drink, CROWDED. Overall the experience was not traumatising, but once more, I am not a clubbing pro!

It’s got a Ping Pong table, the noise isn’t too loud to chat with someone and open late on a weeknight which is great, but so-​so atmosphere, expensive drinks and hassled a good 5 times to buy watered down shots by a girl circling the half-​empty bar.

Long long time ago (2 years), when I was a student we frequented Revolution almost every weekend. I have been for several student parties here including my own 21^st birthday party. I will have to say I always had a good time when I went there, may be because back then all I wanted to see in a club was people my age (students).
Then I grew up, started working and discovered a whole new side of Manchester — Northern Quarter and my whole perception changed! I started enjoying bars more than clubs and the people I wanted to see in those bars were supposed to be sophisticated and not very loud (just the opposite of students). My tastes and preferences changed and I stopped going to my beloved Revolution. But I will have to say I still always had a good night whenever I landed up there (it took a lot of convincing). I bet if Revolution was not on Deansgate locks it would be popular amongst the corporate crowd, because a lot of that crowd tend to avoid young students but let me tell you they all secretly love it!
I went there again last week for their re-​launch party and guess what I had fun! Yeah it was a more mixed crowd this time with students and working professionals. I went there with Unilocalers and had a blast dancing with Amy W and Vikki C. The cocktails were decent but the canapes were delicious. There was a proper party atmosphere with girls dancing with fire and all sorts and to be fair it was entertaining to watch! The price of drinks are reasonable too, well its cheaper than pubs in deansgate and NQ!
Verdict: If you are up for having a laugh along with some dancing, Revolutions should definitely be on the radar for you!

Was invited to Revolution Bar’s launch through Unilocal,was told we would be getting VIP treatment — sadly I arrived a bit late and couldn’t find my fellow Unilocalers.
As the Revolution Bar is relaunching I want to try and be as fair as possible in this review (although I usually am anyway) as I know that a review on Unilocal can be quite powerful especially on Google Rankings. As someone who has owned bars, clubs and ran club nights I think I can write with a lot of experience.
I want to make it clear that im not disgruntled in anyway about not being about to find my Unilocal nor receiving any VIP treatment, I actually think its allowed me to write a very honest review.
Door Greeting
When I arrived at the door I was greeted by one of the door hosts, who was very smartly dressed (with a dicky bow) which I thought was a good touch. I explained that I was invited through Unilocal but was unsure weather I was on any list or not. He said «since you’ve been so polite and nice im going to just take your word for it» and let me in, gave me a drinks voucher and stamp on my wrist. This is an absolute A+++ for me, as alot of door hosts tend to have a seniority complex, but this wasn’t the case for Revolution Bar tonight.
Security
From what I could see from walking up to the venue and entering, the security team were very friendly and quite approachable, they didn’t have superiority complex either.
Décor
Nicely decorated and well presented venue, couldn’t really fault it at all, then entrence area was also very nicely dressed.
Music
Really enjoyed the music in the venue tonight.
Bar Staff
They seemed quite happy, alive and some were even dancing away to the music while serving customers.
However it took me almost 20 minutes to get served (i only timed because I knew I would be writing this review.), it seemed that although there were quite a few people on the bar, it was the girls who were getting preferential treatment when being served, something that annoys me when going to bars and finding this. Personally if im at a bar and a girl hasn’t pushed her way to the front generally I would let her through to get served first anyway, but considering how the bar staff were giving preferential treatment tonight its something that really did annoy me. One guy at the bar turned to me and said «seems like were the invisible ones tonight» something I cant help but agree with.
Also during my 20 minutes wait I noticed that sometimes the bar staff where being pulled away by a member of the security or management to get drinks for people that they were bringing up to the bar personally, this again seems to be slightly annoying to me. Yes I appreciate you get some VIPs but there should be dedicated people who handle drinks for them. Dont take away staff from an already busy bar to serve friends or VIPs.
Ultimately after finishing my drink, and knowing it was going to take me another 20 minutes or maybe longer to get my drink I decided to leave (sadly).
Overview: Nice Bar, has a lot going for it, but the Bar Staff have let Revolution Bar down tonight, on an important night when it comes to service. If the Bar can improve on this area then I think Revolution Bar will be a fantastic place to hang out — and could end up on my favourites list.

So! Lets begin. first of all, I’ve never been to revolution before, so I can’t really compare the place to what it previously looked like before it’s latest refurbishment. But I can say that this place looked rather decent than a lot of other bar/​clubs I’ve been too. Pretty stylish décor, and I loved the high ceiling and low hanging lights
the Canapés that were being handed around I must say, were pretty damn tasty and also made me feel big and tall so I can’t complain there. However, the cocktails weren’t up to the standard you would expect for that price (But the majority were good) I was able to try the:
Mojito classic; Because the bartender didn’t quite grasp the concept of making an apple one. A White Russian; which was damn amazing. A Mudslide; which was definitely the best, despite all the judging looks I received.
However, I do feel that if I wasn’t receiving these drinks for free my opinion might have been altered slightly.
The overall customer service from this place was remarkable. The bartenders were able to hear me without pushing my throat to the limit, and even the intimidating door staff and security provided a friendly and helpful attitude. The only problem I did have was the dancers, I… I just don’t understand what they are here for? Are they there to distract me from leaving? Or to force me to wait another 15mins in line to order a drink? Stop making my wait longer!
Finally, our night ended with a masterclass in mixology provided by a gentleman whos name I’ve already forgotten (SORRY!) And all 5 of us were taught how to make our own cocktail, which actually came out rather well and not… Poisonous. So thanks to him :)
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience but personally I don’t think I will be going again sometime soon with my friends. Especially if I have to wait in any lines and actually have to pay for drinks :)
Finally, I pass on my thanks to the staff of Revolution, Shrimoyee and everyone at Unilocal who attended and participated in this event. Thank you for making a rather good night :)
P. s. I’m pretty sure the DJ only had 3 songs in his setlist?

This is a review for the restaurant portion of Revolution — I haven’t been here for the club.
A few mates of mine decided it’d be nice to go to the Comedy Store for one of their free (for students) nights, and we decided to get some grub at Revolution since it’s right next to the comedy club. The décor is pretty nice, very open with ultra-​high ceilings and comfortable chairs. The food was decent for the price, with the normal selection of pizzas and tasty burgers with chips. Service left a bit to be wanted — it was a quiet night, and I think there was only one waitress from what I could see, but we were told we could order at our table. Wait time between ordering drinks or food and actually getting them was really, REALLY long.
A restaurant of convenience, I probably wouldn’t end up here again. Realistically, I only came because it’s by the Comedy Store. Nothing horrible about it, but nothing great either.

It’s a chain… Pub… Club… Bar… whatever it is, and it’s one of those places I’m not a fan of.
However! I do feel that I should put it in relation to similar places I have attended (i.e Tiger Tiger) and in comparison to that hive of scum and villany this is actually one of the ‘better’ Cool Kid establishments.
We went early by the standards of saturday night on the town heading in about 9ish, doorman did take a moment to decide if we could go in (8 blokes) but soon just nodded and stood out the way of the door, he wasn’t aggressive about it or an arse, literally just checked us out and made his decision on Doorman scale I’m kosher with that.
Bottles of beer inside £3.60 — £3.80, beers are obviously not what you’re here for and are just to keep you going inbetween the rounds of shots. The shot menus easy enough to order from, just pick a line number, in all honesty I don’t think any of us actually looked what we were ordering, because lets face it most of it is going to taste exactly the same the length of time it’s going to spend on your tastebuds. £9 for a same flavour line of 6, £10 for a mixed line of 6 so £1.50-£1.67 so a Average price which is reasonable.
Wasn’t there for any kind of food so no idea.
The place was busy and while we only got half a table for half the time we were there, you could move around without having to sandwich yourself through gaps or attempt to bellow over the music asking people to move.
The place gets an A-​OK because if I have to go to this kind of abode, then Rev’s is the lesser evil. needless to say not one for the Beer lover or quiet Local socialiser

Meh! what can you say. a chain pub with chain pub food straight from the freezer
Yea its cheap, but that does not mean it has to be reheated rubbish
Same as all the other chain bars you know what you are getting, Alfie B sums it up perfectly below «Its tacky, its common, its well-​known, but I like it.»
I with hold judgement on whether I like it…
Oh! paying to get in bars should be Illegal… winds me up so much, there is no entertainment provide so I don’t want to pay!

To start a night out, look no further than Vodka Revolution. This chain of bars have popped up all over the country, and while the interior changes for each bar, the menu stays the same.
You can indulge in a range of cocktails from traditional to quirky and new. Cocktails are priced at approximately £6.50 each, so they certainly aren’t cheap, but they’re something to be savoured so the cost can be justified. They also offer shots sold in rows of six, which come in all various flavours from chilli to birthday cake.
The bar itself is spacious, with plenty of seating, but does get very busy past 8 o’clock at night. Current chart music is often pumped out, making it the perfect starting point for an evening out.

What can I say? Its tacky, its common, its well-​known, but I like it.
Revolution sells great cocktails, and great shots. Even for a beer man such as myself, these are damn cool, and well worth an hour of your time, if not a whole evening.
Though expensive, the purchase of a Revolution Card makes things much cheaper, and the alcohol to price ratio is decent, compared to somewhere like Font, where you are paying for alcohol and recieving only sugar syrup.
Plus the shots, which can be purchased in rows of 6 or 12, make the perfect pre-​night out boost in terms of sugar, alcohol, and phychological stimulation.

Poor Deansgate Locks, it doesn’t seem to be having much luck these days, and it’s such a darn shame. It really isn’t that terrible as a place, it just seems to attract a bad reputation, mainly because the people who like to drink in the places surrounding Deansgate Locks tend to get into fights after having one too many drinks, and then stumbling all over the place.
Funny story, Revolution, minding my own business, sorry we were minding our own business, we were bar hopping, and had a craving for a White Russian, so in we went, and seriously a bar brawl broke out behind us. The prude in us should have pursed our lips in dismay and declared how terrible it was, but it was flippin’ hilarious. Even the staff couldn’t separate these lads from fighting, it was more comedy than owt else, but that’s the type of typicality down by the Locks, and it’s really unfortunate.
Revolution is what it is, it’s a vodka bar, specialising in vodka shooters with a side bar for cocktails, a penchant for moody red and brown in the décor, and slightly random chillout cool dance music. I find it not as offensive as most, and can take it for what it is, an alright bar to get a drink before moving on, before things get too crazy and the occasional drunk turns into a full blown fist fight.

The locks is getting a look in a lot more day and night now that the sun has shown its face. Revolution is no exception, as the young and old sit out in the sun, beer/​cocktail/​wine glass in hand.
The student night on a Monday definitely attracts the queues. It’s a spacious and posh looking Revolution like lots of the others but particular an attraction for a good club night.
Faced with the which one is better on the Locks, I’m all for Revs.

This is a damn good Revelution. Its big and spacious and very modern and posh!
The décor is simply great and it’s a place where you would want to dress up for! Girl’s love any chance to deck up anyway. This is great on Monday’s with its characteristic ‘Pout’ night, it’s lively and packed! Tickets almost run out every single time! Other days it is a lot quieter than the surrounding Baa Bar, and you can come here for a few drinks before heading off some place.
A good looker and good music, but better on Mondays.

Remember that Underworld song ‘Born Slippy’?
The one with the chorus ‘Shouting Lager, lager, lager’?
That should be the theme tune to this particular branch of Revolution. Admittedly, they specialise in flavoured vodka rather than lager but the vibe and atmosphere of the place late evening is pure mayhem. We’re talking large groups of inebriated boys and girls getting more drunk, more excitable and more argumentative as they down shot after shot of toffee flavoured vodka.
The fact there’s always bad dance music playing at ear-​breaking volume is an added kick in the ribs.

Ok I will agree with the other Unilocalers here and say this is one of the better bars on ‘The Locks’ although:
a) The other bars on ‘The Locks’ are possibly the worst selection in Manchester.
b) Reveloution as with all of the other ‘chain bars’ represents everything wrong with the world today.
However if you find yourself stranded on ‘The Locks’ for some unavoidable reason then this Reveloution is probably in comparison to the other bars a safe house until you can get the hell out of there!

Revolution is one of the better chain bars. There are four in Manchester, three of which are in the city centre. But the Locks one is my favourite.
The food at Revolution is not only good, it’s really fast. During the day they have the 15 minute promise where you eat free if you don’t get your food in 15 minutes. Because of this, the service is always good! And the food range is not bad at all! The pizza are a particular favourite, they serve them late, they’re cheap and they’re tasty. Winner.
Onto the drinks… this is again something Revolution does remarkably well for a chain bar, quite a wide range of unusual cocktails containing unusually good spirits and unusually good prices. Not too shabby at all.
The reason I like the Revolution on the Locks the best is because of the industry night on Tuesdays to which I have a card that entitles me to 50% of everything. Amazingly useful.
However it’s everyone elses favourite due to the ridiculously popular student night «Pout» on a Monday and the sheer size of the place.
The ones at Parsonage Gardens and Oxford Road are equally as well decorated and have the same drink/​food menu so head down to either if you like what you’ve read here.