Revolution

A great bar in Wilmslow which is right on the main strip of everything, its funky décor is dark and modern.
Its a lot larger than it looks from the outside! There is loads of places to sit, either the booths or the high tables.
The drinks were great and they do 241 on cocktails and other drinks from sunday to friday in there happy hour!
The staff were friendly and seemed to like there job and would like to return next time we are in Wilmslow.

I like this bar, a lot. If not just for the fact that’s it’s saved my sorry arse on many an occasion. When I get stranded in Wilmslow from time to time, at the house of my grandmother, a.k.a. the-​land-​of-​no-​internet, my life comes to a standstill (a cruel awakening indeed to my e-​dependence) forcing me to seek out the local offerings of free wi-​fi. Revolution delivers the goods, with a decent speed connection that allows me, as I sit here, to do my work, Unilocal away to my heart’s content, whilst also downloading some new goodies onto my iPlayer desktop. Schwing.
After the initial sigh of internet-​related relief I realised I was actually in quite the trendy establishment. Now for those of you who don’t know Wilmslow, it’s quite the affluent are: full of designer shops, expensive houses and try-​hard restaurants. Frequented by WAGs, celebrities and millionnaires alike, Wilmslow is the kind of place that makes people like me, feel very out-​of-​place. I can just about pass myself off in Revolution, bobbing behind my latop, but I distinctly feel like the scrubbiest person here with no fake tan or designer handbag to hide behind.
So why am I giving it 4 stars? Well… the above description would normally put me very on edge in a bar, unable to feel comfortable. But despite all it’s pretensions and appearances, the people of Wilmslow are actually very friendly and conversational, and even though I’m conscious of my charity shop and Primark ensemble, nobody looks down their nose at me, and everyone willingly returns my smiles. Massive brownie points from my perspective.
It’s a very large bar in a very central location, with an upstairs area that opens at the weekends. Normally I’m just here during the day or early evening and the ambience is very pleasant, the music (a delighful mix of reggae and easy listening) is just at the right level, perfect to catch-​up with a friend or for me to catch-​up on my workload! I can’t vouch what it’s like at the weekends though. There are lots of different areas to sit, including some really comfortable horseshoe shaped booths, and the lighting has the right balance between being soft and atmospheric whilst not being dark and depressing.
The food menu is surprisingly extensive, and there is even a kids menu. There are times when I wish it wasn’t quite so child-​friendly (like right now, when a certain child just will not be quiet) but I guess it’s a nice quality in general. The drinks menu is just as extensive as the food menu with an interesting selection of cocktails, pitchers, shooters and wine. They now even offer a Cocktail Masterclass, boasting to teach ‘the secret bartender tricks of the trade’ in a 90 minute session — sounds like fun!
The bar itself is pretty appealing to the eye: three-​sided and bordered with stools along each side, with all the different shapes and sizes glasses sparkling and tinkling overhead. And BOY, is this bar stocked: a real collection of liquors and spirits to tempt onself with. My only qualm, is they don’t sell bitter lemon. Not only this, but when I asked for one, the bartended thought I was asking for a cocktail. Maybe he was new, maybe he was just having a bad day, or maybe I’m just a drink-​snob who thinks that everyone should know what bitter lemon is? Though I do appreciate this is a minor point, and aside from this, all is well. Very well.

Revolution Wilmslow is part of a large chain. Due to its location in the golden triangle of footballers, businessmen and erm terracotta women, in leafy Cheshire, owners in their wisdom have upped prices here compared to other branches. They justify this saying they’ve tailored the interior to Wilmslow’s more sophisticated clientele.
Unfortunately, the pieces of the jigsaw are jarring. The interior is trying far too hard, the bar staff are disinterested and conceited, not to mention the temperamental obnoxious (when they choose to be) door staff. Their door policy also leaves something to be desired. Described on their website as «strict» — you won’t get this impression when you continue inside. Revolution is trying to sell an image, and the less savoury characters amongst the Wilmslow crowd are lapping it right up.
To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend this location to a friend. I would go elsewhere. If you must visit the Revolution chain of bars for one of their overpriced concoctions then head into Manchester. A cheap evening return is much cheaper than paying the premium for drinking in Wilmslow.
I’ve given it two stars out of sympathy. To give it just one star seemed a bit cruel — I mean, they do seem to trying, but its just not working. Unless you wish to spend your life savings on a truly mediocre experience, I’d give this one a miss.

One thing I like about stepping into Revolution in Wilmslow is that every time I’m in there I don’t feel like I’m in a ‘yummy mummy’ town in half an hours drive from the city, but more like just stepped off Deansgate into a trendy bar.
This place is really well laid out, there is a good array of seating for couples to large groups, if you are in a group I particularly like the large U shaped white leather booths they have, they also have smaller tables and tucked away for more intimate gatherings, something to suit all moods really and no doubt you will be able to find somewhere to sit most times you visit.
I’ve only been here of an evening once and for a bar that encourages you to sit down and eat rather than dance, I do find the music a bit too loud, its more night club level than trendy cocktail /​vodka bar, so as long as you don’t want any long and meaningful conversations you should be ok.
At lunchtimes however the mood is more relaxed and I’ve never found it to be overly busy. The service is always quite prompt in my experience and there is usually a waiter at your table taking a drinks order before you know it. This surprised me at first as it doesn’t strike me as the kind of place where orders are taken at your table, but it’s a nice touch.
One of the other good things about coming here Monday to Friday for your lunch hour during work, is that they promise to have your food to you in 15 minutes or you get the meal for free, as we have all experienced those anxious clock watching lunches, where you have dared not to eat your lunch at your desk and then wondered how quickly will you have to eat it up before you have to speed walk back to work, so this may alleviate your concerns somewhat.
I can say that the food is tasty, what I like about the pizza is that they have a really nice thin and crispy base, they also do tasty burgers, salads and other well prepared main courses.
It can also be beneficial for you to get a Revolution card, which although you pay a small amount for initially, it does give you a discount on your bill and entitles you to their two for one offers on burgers and pizzas etc which are on set days each week, they will also email you regularly with other offers.
This place is not fine dining, but if you fancy a venue that has substance as well as style then I don’t think you will be disappointed whether you choose to dine, drink or both!