From Justin Bieber to Kylie Minogue and a host of Premier League stars – Deansgate Locks was once THE place to be seen
A vibrant looking Deansgate Locks back in 2004
Deansgate Locks was once a bustling nightlife hotspot in Manchester city centre. Sadly, this now one-time mecca of clubbing and celebrity spotting is a mere shadow of its former glory.
Anyone who has lived, studied, or partied in Manchester is likely to have some foggy memories of nights out along this formerly bustling stretch of bars. In 1999, these 12 forgotten railway arches were transformed into glass-fronted shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.
Once bustling with crowds, the bars and clubs along the canal featured lower terraces for seated views and upper walkways where revellers flowed in and out on lively nights. A decade ago, the Locks’ upmarket and exclusive clubs attracted all the big names wanting to sample what Manchester had to offer, from Justin Bieber to Premier League stars.
However, fast-forward to 2025, and only two venues, nightclubs Ark and Popworld, remain open within the 12 arches of the Locks.
With the hope that this once vibrant stretch of Manchester’s nightlife might again experience a renaissance, we’ve looked back at a selection of the most iconic venues to grace this section of the Rochdale Canal.
Baa Bar
Baa Bar on Deansgate Locks
One of the legendary nightspots from Deansgate Locks’ past was, of course, Baa Bar. The original Baa Bar opened in Liverpool in 1991.
The eventual success of the brand resulted in nine Baa Bar venues opening around the country, with branches in Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Leeds. The Baa Bar on Deansgate Locks closed in 2016 and now only two remain in Liverpool and Nottingham.
Sugar Lounge
Sugar Lounge on Deansgate Locks
If glamour, celebrity, and hedonistic luxury are your thing, then Sugar Lounge would have been the place for you. The nightclub opened on Deansgate Locks in the early Noughties, pitching itself as an upmarket and exclusive club that hosted private parties for celebs like David Beckham, Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, and Kylie Minogue.
The club closed briefly in 2005 before reopening in 2006 under new management. However, the nightspot popular with footballers, pop stars, and actors closed a few years later after it was revealed it had not been paying its waste removal bills.
Revolution
Revolution on Deansgate Locks
The vodka bar’s red neon signs light up many cities and towns across the country, but it all started with one humble operation in Manchester’s Oxford Road in 1996. This was where the Revolution bars’ now famous flavoured spirits were first infused with crushed-up retro sweets in the basement.
Revolution was one of Deansgate Locks’ earliest bars, opening in 2001 as a massive state-of-the-art basement club. Former Stone Roses bassist Mani gave it a rock ‘n’ roll relaunch in 2009. Sadly, the once popular bar closed in 2024 after the Revolution chain announced it would close 18 of its 90 sites across the UK.
Loaf
Celebrity haunt Loaf on Deansgate Locks
When Loaf first opened on Deansgate Locks, local celebs and wannabes flocked to be seen in the cavernous, exposed-brick interior. With its glamorous Manhattan feel, alongside Revolution, Loaf was one of the Locks’ original bars.
Loaf was a chic, minimal haven and the first bar to attract an instant celebrity crowd. However, like many others in the area, it has now been consigned to the haziest of memories.
Comedy Store
The Comedy Store
An established club and hub for new as well as high profile comedy shows since September 2000 – its official opening night boasted appearances from the likes of Paul Merton, John Thompson, Simon Bligh, Tim Clark, Rhona Cameron, Julian Clary, Boothby Graffoe, Mike Gunn, Fred MacAulay, Sean Meo, and Paul Zenon.
The 500-seat theatre-style comedy venue attracted some of the biggest and freshest acts around, with an audience that was as clued up as comedy crowds come.
The Store also had an adjoining bar and restaurant, and a chic private space called The Ward Room that could be hired for parties and private events. Sadly, the laughs dried up several years ago when the comedy club closed its doors.
Sakura
Sakura Bar on Deansgate Locks
The Eastern fusion-themed Sakura was one of the best-looking venues, launching on Deansgate Locks in 2010. right down to its sultry velvet seating, reflective ebony bar, backlit murals, floor-to-ceiling bamboo features, lipstick-red lamps, and huge gold Buddha.
Famous for its Elvissa nights, Sakura on Deansgate Locks was a celeb spotters’ paradise. It attracted the city’s VIP crowd, soap stars, and visiting A-listers, including Justin Bieber and JLS, as well as a host of Manchester City and United footballers.
This is another one-time celeb haunt that’s been consigned to memory, having closed its doors in 2015.
Lola Lo
Lola Lo on Deansgate Locks (Image: Manchester Evening News)
The incredibly popular Lola Lo opened on Deansgate Locks back in 2013. Taking up the large space previously occupied by Pitcher and Piano, the tiki bar chain owned by Eclectic Bar Group decided to snap up the site and open the first of its Lola Lo brand serving food as well as drinks.
Serving Zombie cocktails and Big Kahuna burgers for over a decade, news that the iconic venue was closing in 2024 sparked an outpouring of reminiscing on social media.
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