The bar's owner said things are looking up after a "really tough" start
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Updated 21:08, 15 Mar 2025
Reds Bar is located on Exchange Street East in Liverpool
Reds Bar is located on Exchange Street East in Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Four friends opened up a “totally unique” bar that is filled with customers throughout the day. On Exchange Street East, which connects Tithebarn Street and Dale Street in Liverpool city centre, lies Reds Bar.
The bar, which opened in November, is a treasure trove for any Liverpool fan. Spread over two floors, there are six European cups on display, shirts of famous players, match reports of memorable games and even the tunnel mat which Liverpool players would have walked on before games in their successful 2019 Champions League campaign.
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This weekend will be the first Liverpool cup final the bar has ever shown on its multiple TV screens, which one of its owners, Ryan McMahon is looking forward to. Liverpool will be facing Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
The 42-year-old from Huyton claims that the bar is a bit much to process for some fans and ex-players who walk through its doors. Speaking to the ECHO earlier this week, he said: "Everybody has been really enjoying it. There's very mixed emotions for people who come in here.
"Some people are crying when they see all the old stuff we have. Even ex-players have come in and seen the Shankly bits which have taken them back to that time.
"There have been loads of other ex-professionals too. We've got them all to sign the bricks on the wall upstairs, so hopefully we'll get that filled up soon."
Reds Bar is full of nods to LFC's history
Reds Bar is full of nods to LFC's history(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
He added: "There's a few of us involved. We're friends who go to all the Liverpool games home and away. We were thinking that there isn't anything else in the city that is just focused on Liverpool Football Club. Between us, we collect loads of memorabilia. One of the lads has a massive collection of match worn shirts.
"We came to view the site on a Thursday and got the keys on the Monday. It happened so quickly, we didn't really have enough time to do a social media campaign and we're not particularly good at social media either.
"That's definitely our weak point. I'd say 80% of the people that were coming in were saying, ‘I didn't even know this was here at all’. I've been giving flyers out around town. On match days. I’ve been trying to find people with Liverpool shirts on and giving them the flyers."
Reds Bar has the tunnel mat from the 2018/19 Champions League campaign built into the floor
Reds Bar has the tunnel mat from the 2018/19 Champions League campaign built into the floor
Ryan claims that the bar is now welcoming upwards of 200 people on matchdays before and after games. However, its busiest hours mean that it’s unlike any other venue Ryan has owned or managed before.
"I used to have quite a few bars before - Aloha, Berry and Rye, Jenny's, Studio 2, Miyagi restaurant. With Reds Bar though, weekends and evenings are not our busiest time. We're busy throughout the day, so this is totally unique to any of the others."
This Sunday however will be slightly different. Arne Slot’s side will face Newcastle on Sunday evening in a bid to win his first trophy at the club. Ryan said: "We're fully booked but that’s only 40% of the tables. We wanted to keep some for walk-ins and people getting in early.
The bar features old newspaper cuttings too
The bar features old newspaper cuttings too
"We've got two coaches actually leaving for the final from here. From 6am we'll be getting people on the road for the match and then hopefully we'll be bringing them back celebrating."
Despite working at an variety of glamorous venues, as a life-long Liverpool fan this new venture is particularly special for Ryan. He said: "The start was really tough. We weren't very busy and nobody knew about us.
"Me and the three other lads that are involved had disagreements sometimes. But I've said it a couple of times to them, we own a Liverpool bar with our mates. It should be the best time ever and for the majority of the time it has been. It's a dream for us really.”