Rosso, Manchester’s popular celebrity restaurant, is closing its doors for good

Manchester’s iconic Italian restaurant Rosso, part-owned by ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand, has closed its doors for good, it has confirmed.

The upscale restaurant, a popular celebrity haunt, was known as one of the places around town to be seen, where you could rub shoulders with A-listers.

On Monday September 18th, the venue announced it had decided to close its doors with immediate effect.

Rosso – housed within an architecturally beautiful old building of the former Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank – held a final farewell service for its customers.

Since opening in 2009, it stood proudly at 43 Spring Gardens at the top of King Street, where it was frequented by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and most recently Erling Haaland – dressed in his pyjamas.

Today, Rosso remains gated and empty, with gold signage removed from the walls on either side of the entrance. 

In a statement across its social media platforms, it said: “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our Rosso Restaurant & Bar.

“Last night, after nearly 14 years, we were delighted to hold a final service for our wonderful customers.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to close this wonderful restaurant which has flourished into an icon of the Manchester restaurant and social scene. It feels like the right time to go out at the height of our popularity and look ahead to new horizons.”

The statement continued: “Rosso wouldn’t have been the same without our wider family, suppliers and our wonderful customers whom we have had the enviable pleasure of serving.

“We could not be more grateful to our Champions League winning staff both past and present. 

“Our thanks go out to each and every one of them for making Rosso what we are today.  We always believed we should close Rosso on a high and we thank each and every one of you for being part of our championship team.

“From Rosso with Love, Ciao for now.”