Reds Liverpool has agreed to change some of its plans after hearing concerns from people living nearby
16:15, 23 Sep 2025Updated 16:15, 23 Sep 2025
Reds Bar is located on Exchange Street East in Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A Liverpool city centre sports bar will be allowed to open later despite local people raising concerns about vomiting, urinating and anti-social behaviour. Reds Liverpool agreed to change its plans after hearing of issues raised by those living nearby.
The Liverpool-themed sports bar is based in Exchange Street East and filled with Reds memorabilia, including match-worn shirts from legends such as Roger Hunt and Ian Callaghan. The venue opened last year and replaced popular Indian restaurant Barton Rouge, which was in place for a number of years.
When the bar applied to Liverpool City Council seeking permission to open later, concerns were raised by those living nearby and the councillor representing them.
Having previously been licensed to remain open for the sale of alcohol and live performances until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, the business asked for this to be extended to 2am.
In response to the application, City Centre North Councillor Nick Small said he had been regularly contacted regarding incidents related to the premises. He said: “Since the premises has reopened as Reds, I have had reported at least six incidents of public nuisance caused by the premises to the city council environmental health and licensing teams, following complaints from residents living at 26 Exchange Street East.”
Residents of the flats above and close to the bar told the council that they had dealt with vomiting, urination and anti-social behaviour linked to the venue.
Reds Bar is full of nods to LFC’s history(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
At a licensing meeting held last week, a representative for Reds Liverpool said the extended hours request was made to compete with other businesses – but that these would be revised following discussions with residents, the council and the police.
According to minutes from the meeting, the representative questioned the claims over vomiting and urination – explaining that the premises has toilers and a glass frontage, meaning it was unlikely customers were urinating at the front of the premises.
He said the applicant would agree to remove live music from its application after hearing the concerns of locals – and also promised there were no plans to host 18th or 21st birthday parties at the venue.
A representative from the council’s environmental health team said they had visited Reds Liverpool following noise complaints, but did not witness a statutory nuisance.
They tested noise levels and said the premises licence holder was willing to reduce the hours for live music until 11pm.
Addresing the licensing committee, local residents said: “We have nothing against the bar, we just want a good night’s sleep.”
The minutes show that in order to address concerns, the applicant said they would be happy to reduce the terminal hour for the business by half an hour through the week – meaning it would close up at midnight.
The committee agreed that the ammended plans would be approved, with live music removed from the application and the licence for the venue operating until midnight between Sunday and Thursday and until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.