Eats

The new hidden Manchester cocktail bar that’s actually trying to stay secret

Shh, don't tell anyone...

Daisy Jackson - 11th October 2024

There was a time a couple of years ago where ‘secret’ bars were all the rage – except they threw big launch parties and had queues outside and weren’t very secret at all.

But one new cocktail bar in Manchester has done such a good job of flying under the radar that even we, who live and breathe local food and drink, have only just discovered it.

And it’s been open for months.

This particular hidden cocktail bar has brought a little taste of Tokyo’s underground bar scene to Manchester, in both the decor and the drinks menu.

It’s a bar that’s flooded with red lighting and synth music, with a carefully thought-out drinks menu showing off Japanese whiskeys and other spirits from the continent.

Kodo has done a good job of avoiding too much attention, even though it’s not gone for the usual ‘secret bar’ tactics that most venues use.

It’s not hiding behind a launderette like The Washhouse, or a pawn shop like Dusk Til Pawn, or a completely blank door like Behind Closed Doors.

Instead, it’s hiding behind a huge, bright red door painted with a mysterious, anime-style eye, with black wisps of hair across it. Oftentimes, there’s dry ice pouring out from underneath the door.

So once you track it down there’s no mistaking that you’ve found it.

Kodo might be a 'secret bar' but once you work out the location, the big door makes it pretty obvious. Credit: The Manc Group — Kodo might be a ‘secret bar’ but once you work out the location, the big door makes it pretty obvious. Credit: The Manc Group

Inside the secret bar it's an ode to underground Japan. Credit: The Manc Group — Kodo might be a ‘secret bar’ but once you work out the location, the big door makes it pretty obvious. Credit: The Manc Group

On arrival, you have to ring the bell beside the door, ready for a letterbox to fling open and a pair of eyes to peer out at you.

Then you need to show an image on your phone to the mystery figure behind the door (the image changes every week) before you’re granted access to this clandestine cocktail bar.

Kodo is worth the effort though.

Inside it’s smoky and sultry, with modern red light installations overhead, a blue-lit bar, and brick walls painted with more anime-style art.

A delicious Pomelo Paloma at Kodo Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Inside secret Manchester bar Kodo. Credit: The Manc Group — A delicious Pomelo Paloma at Kodo Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Kodo is serving some of the city’s most exciting drinks, from old fashioneds infused with shiitake mushrooms to martinis made with marmalade and yuzu sake.

It’s been open for about four months and has been busy the whole time, with word-of-mouth helping to pull in a steady stream of curious punters.

It’s working so well because all those customers who have visited have bought into the secret element – as far as we can see, no one has actually slapped the location online anywhere. That’s a bit of a miracle in this day and age.

We’ve been sworn to secrecy on the location – but check out @kodomanchester on Instagram for clues.

Featured image: The Manc Group