By Jill Stocks
A Horsforth Town Street venue which closed in 2023 will reopen this weekend under a new guise.
Beyond the Red Door will hold its official opening on Saturday and West Leeds Dispatch had a sneak preview.
Previously known as the Sandbar, Ernies and Hemingways, amongst other names over the years, the business will now be family run with a more relaxed vibe than there was with previous incarnations.
General Manager Michael White, said: “It’s going to be a cocktail and gin bar primarily, so that’s going to be our main niche. Town Street is really busy but there isn’t really a cocktail bar. The pubs do cocktails but they don’t really make much of a thing [of it].
“But we want to be mostly just a nice space in the community for people to come in. It’s going to be quite calm. We’re not as late night as the last places have been. We’re not really clubby or anything like that. But we’ve still kept the disco ball that works and all those fun little bits.
“The main sort of push for us is to be in the daytime more of a community space and a nicer calmer place to come and have a drink and then in the evenings more of a cocktail and gin bar. So it should be something different for the street.”
This weekend’s grand opening starts from noon with drinks, nibbles and charcuterie and live music. The opening is the next step for The Little Red Berry Co, a family run craft spirits business based in Yorkshire, and shared their excitement for the opening via their blog.
“This isn’t just the launch of a bar – it’s also the next chapter for The Little Red Berry Co, our family-run business that has been crafting award-winning Spirits in Yorkshire for years before the bar was born.
“We’re taking that same creativity and passion and pouring it into a brand-new space where you can experience it all first-hand.
“Let me paint the picture for you. Imagine walking into a cosy, friendly neighbourhood bar – one that’s alive with good vibes, laughter, and the sound of clinking glasses. That’s exactly what Beyond the Red Door is all about.
“The name itself is a nod to The Little Red Berry Co, our beloved family-run liqueur business, our spirited fi8ve-year-old, Red, and of course, the beautifully bold red doors that welcome you in.
“Once you step beyond them, you’ll be truly surprised by the sheer size of the space. Though it might seem deceivingly small at first glance, we’ve heard it affectionately nicknamed the ‘Horsforth TARDIS’ – and you’ll see why for yourself.”
The structural layout of the venue remains the same as previously, with two bars and the courtyard for a drink in the sun at the back, but a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes cleaning, painting and devising a menu. Horsforth Brewery have also pitched in by helping to install the beer lines.
Next friday the venue will be hosting their first event at the venue, a fun cocktail class on Friday 27th June. You can book a ticket here.
- More Horsforth news and views from WLD can be found here.
- Check out WLD’s what’s on section for more local events, groups and activities.
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