Situated in a Northern Quarter basement hidden between a former t-shirt screen printing shop and a tattoo parlour lies “debauched” cocktail bar Behind Closed Doors. The bar, which has been around since 2017, has seemingly passed me by over the years - that is until last week.
When my colleague Nicole Wootton-Cane headed to the venue for a drink on her own last Thursday night, she was firmly told by a bouncer: “No singles, sorry love. I can’t let you in by yourself.” Nicole's experience followed a similar encounter from a woman who was refused entry to Ramona in Ancoats on the basis that they had a ‘no singles’ policy - something management denied.
Following Nicole’s report, Behind Closed Doors also denied they had a ‘no singles’ policy too and said they would refer the matter to security. But, less than a week on, could I blag myself entry into the intriguing speakeasy for a drink on my own? Well, in short, yes, I could.
