Red’s True Barbecue

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

Red’s True Barbeque must be doing something right. This longstanding restaurant has been a stalwart of Manchester’s dining scene for many years now, in one of the swankiest areas of town. Despite being all about sticky BBQ food, the venue itself has a classy feel to it, blending a fun night out with belly-filling food.

A fun night out with belly-filling food

And that’s precisely what you can expect this Christmas. We popped in for the launch of the festive menu and were treated to a monster platter of food, consisting of – take a deep breath – tender pork ribs, chunky cheese and jalapeno sausages, impossibly soft turkey breast meat, fiery hot chicken wings (billed as ‘unholy XXXL’ so you know they mean business), a smoked chicken with the most delicious crispy skin imaginable, plus some smokey beans.

That’s not even mentioning the sides: mash, gravy, onion rings, fries and festive cornbread. Long story short, you’re not going to leave here hungry. But at the same time, it isn’t a pig-out all-you-can-eat kind of place either. The brains in charge of the food have paced it well – there’s certainly enough food on offer to satisfy everyone here, but you won’t end up clutching your stomach in pain afterwards either.

Interestingly, there’s also a veggie option, known as the meat-free platter. Here you get pulled jackfruit, meat-free buffalo wings, garlic chilli greens, crispy onions, plus all the aforementioned sides. It’s a smart move, considering the increasing popularity of non-meat option, meaning all are welcome at Red’s.

Two whole hours of guzzling will cost 5p short of £60

It’s all available for a very reasonable price point. As well as a platter of food you get bottomless drinks, perfect for those Christmas nights out with friends, family or workmates. The damage? 90 minutes will cost you £48.95, while two whole hours of guzzling will cost 5p short of £60. Considering the quality of the food, the primo location and the fact that everyone should try Red’s pork ribs at least once this Christmas, that’s a darn good deal, as our BBQ-loving cousins across the Atlantic might say.

22 Lloyd Street, Albert SquareManchesterM2 5WA View map
Telephone: 0161 211 5466 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Wednesday12:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Thursday12:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Friday12:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Saturday12:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Sunday12:00pm - 10:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Red’s True Barbecue

Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry
Manchester Town Hall
TourManchester
The Magical Mystery Bike Tour

Hop on your bike for this guided cycling tour, exploring fascinating corners of Manchester you may never have seen before.

from £25.00

Where to go near Red’s True Barbecue

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Albert Square

A public square in the heart of Manchester which plays hosts to festivals and major events. Home to the Albert Memorial and statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Ewart Gladstone.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Manchester Town Hall

Re-opening in 2024, Manchester Town Hall is a monument to Victorian Manchester’s ambition, and one of the city’s most-loved landmarks.

iStock.com/SimoneN
Deansgate
Hotel
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate

The building’s striking architecture combines classic brickwork with sleek, modern design elements, creating an inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Manchester’s vibrant energy.

Contemporary Six, art gallery in Manchester
City Centre
Gallery
Contemporary Six

Contemporary Six is an independent commercial art gallery in Manchester city centre, set up by Alex Reuben in 2010.

Manchester
Restaurant
Maray Manchester

This acclaimed Middle-Eastern restaurant leans into Dry January and Veganuary, all at the same time.

breakout manchester
City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Breakout Manchester

Test your skills and logical thinking with Breakout Manchester’s wide selection of themed rooms for you to escape from.

Wings Restaurant Manchester.
City Centre
Restaurant
Wings

Highly-regarded Chinese restaurant with a peerless range of dim sum and other Chinese dishes. Louis Van Gaal’s (remember him?) favourite restaurant in Manchester, by all accounts.

Manchester
Restaurant
10 Tib Lane

At a time when many city-centre restaurants are fighting to be the loudest and most ostentatious, 10 Tib Lane is all about elegant, sophisticated dining.

Culture Guides

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

Sextile
Music in the North

The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
Exhibitions in the North

From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.