Owner: Manchester nightlife blog URL:http://manchester-clubbing.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:47:20 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: A blog on Manchester (UK) with gossip and information on clubbing, bars, property and more. Site statistics:Click here
Things you don't know about Manchester 2007-03-11 15:53:00 #1 - The strange tower connected to the Bridgewater Hall is an 'abstract clock'.It's great how you can live in a city for ten years and there are still secrets to uncover. The eight storey tower that sits next to the Bridgewater Hall isn't just a freakish architectural mistake. It's there to isolate all the noisy things (air con, generators, boilers and pumps) from the main building to ensure that the sound within the theatre is 'clean'. According to the Bridgewater Hall website, it also plays another role:As well as being a fundamental part of the Hall's acoustic design, the plant tower is also the building's most visible work of art, behaving as an abstract public clock. Lighting architect Jonathan Spiers has devised a scheme to creatively light the tower, using coloured light to paint it in changing colours that represent a hierarchy of different time intervals.A gradually changing wash of light depicts the season and lines of argon accentuate the five glazed levels, repres
Get ya skates on 2007-03-11 15:05:00 Thanks to the Mancubist blog for this tip, and their excellent summation of the "otherwise worthless" Billie Rox, formerly Jumpin Jaks (Hence the almost identical logo). I don't like to slag off a venue (ha!) but Jumpin Jaks was the lowest of the low. Manchester's only bi-weekly Roller Skating event makes this venue worth blogging about.Join us for Manchester’s ONLY Roller Disco, yes that's right “ROLLER DISCO”, a night where you put on a pair a roller skates and roll the night away, with over 300 pairs of skates to choose from, we can hire you a pair quad skates for just £3, or you can even hire a pair of roller blades for only £5.Their tagline ('Party on and On') reminds me of the scene in the Office where Tim describes the local nightclubs“Slough’s nightlife is incredible; it’s got two nightclubs, it’s got Chasers and New York, New York. They call it the nightclub that never sleeps. That closes at one. There was, oh my god, a themed nightclub called Henry the Ei
A #2 is my #1 concern 2007-03-17 14:07:00 The people behind Skyline Central kindly sent over some photos.I have to say that they look sweet! What hit me most was the gym, which is well stocked out (I can bench press 2 lb!) and the photographs of the bathroom, which is right up my alley.Now if you read this blog you'll know I have 'much love' for Urban Splash (Another blogger described me as 'slavering' over the (faux) Castlefield company). My one complaint is their bathrooms which are basic to the point of ridicule. They look great, but there's nowhere to put your can of lynx, bottle of issy and bar of soap. This is the kind of bathroom that I want....I dont know what this is, but I could see myself relaxing in one of these chairs. Metaphorically (unless I get so relaxed I pass away briefly, and have an out of body experience).The downside to Skyline? It's rental only, so you'll be throwing £700/month in to a black hole. The location isn't the best. The good? There's nothing like it in Manchester (Pool/Gym/Bathrooms
The Other Mr Wilson 2007-03-19 14:14:00 Not Tony, Greg! Greg Wilson
is all set to be the first EVER guest at Funkademia (11 years old and they've only ever had their residents on the decks!)Fingers crossed, I'm going to be interviewing Mr Wilson this week. He's a pioneer who doesnt shout about himself, but as an adopted Mancunian who has a massive influence on the Manc scene (he had the first full on dance night at the Hac, and ran a groundbreaking event at Legends) he is up there in the hall of fame, and I'm rather excited....Check out http://www.electrofunkroots.co.uk for mixes, reviews and interviews (There's two great in depth features on Norman Cook and Dave Clarke)Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Bar38 Update 2007-03-19 13:59:00 Here's more on the serious incident at Bar 38.If anyone has ANY information about the incident then North Manchester CID on 0161 856 3240 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.Woman raped in city centre bar (North Manchester)Detectives in Manchester are appealing for witnesses after a woman was raped at a city centre bar. The 31-year-old woman was out with friends at Bar 38 on Peter Street in the early hours of Sunday morning 18 March 2007 when the incident happened.At about 1am, it is believed a man followed the woman into the downstairs toilets, followed her into a cubicle and raped her. The woman remembers someone banging on the door asking if she was okay, which disturbed the offender and made him leave. The man is described as black, aged 35 to 38, 5ft 11in to 6ft, of stocky build with broad shoulders, a shaved head and a clean-shaven face with dent marks on his left cheek.He was wearing a grey shiny jumper with ribbing on the shoulders. He spoke with a Manchester accent a Read more:Update
Bar38 serious incident 2007-03-19 12:23:00 Rumours are flying of a serious
incident at Bar38 in the city centre.UPDATE: Bar38 are referring all press enquiries to the police: "I'm not allowed to comment on it", said the spokesperson.More to come.....Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Student Direct Editor Out - Replaced by Non-Idiot 2007-03-20 11:24:00 I'll take the risk of linking to a 'Labour' blog (I hope I dont get infected by anything) to bring you the news that StudentDirect
have announced their new editor for 2007-2008. Last year brought in Sajid Rafiq, who promptly sacked half of his staff by text message and then alienated the rest. He pulled the student direct website (at a cost of £10,000) and enranged the student population so much that 1,406 people join 'Save Student Direct' group on Facebook.}Congratulations to Dom Koole!Tom, if you're reading this, there's a graphic on your blog for 'I'm Backing Jon Cruddas'. Clicking on this results in a broken link....let's hope that Mr Cruddas' appointment doesnt result in (more) broken promises ;-)Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester Read more:Editor
, Replaced
Sk8r? 2007-03-19 23:54:00 If you're younger than me and cooler than I am then these three links will be of interest to you (they're of interest to me, but I figured they affect 'cool people' more*).The Mancubist has a story on Afflecks Palace, including a quote that it'll be closing on the 16th June. I heard that it's going to be turned into the worlds first OCTPLEX apartment, with over 40,000 square ft of distressed wood floorboards (NOT). There's actually an apartment within the city that claims to be Europe's only SEPTPLEX dwelling (by SEPTPLEX, I mean Seven Floors). I can actually see it from my flat, but I can't see how I'd find the £1million that it's going for.Ben has this flyer image for ASBO (April Skate Bonanza OhYeah)Ben (again) has a story on "Kipp It Off" (Im sure this is a play on a skating term, but It's too late in the evening to call me 'cool' friend and ask him) which is premiering at our very own Pure Spac*Sk8rs, goths, trendies, EMOs etc.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manches
Lucky Manchester - The Biggest Stealth Tax Is Coming 2007-03-19 22:05:00 According to the MEN, Manchester has already been chosen to 'pilot' congestion charges.The inappropriately named Stephen Ladyman (Transport Minister) refused to comment on claims that he told an MP that Manchester had 'won' the race.Meanwhile GMPTE chairman Roger Jones said "This is a competition for government money and I'm in it to win.". These public servants eh?The MEN has commissioned 'Greater Manchester's Biggest Ever Opinion Poll' on congestion charging. The results are revealed this Wednesday, and they should make for interesting reading.Can't wait? Here's the results, two days early:1) Anyone who drives a car will oppose the congestion charge. We/I already pay enough already. £180/year road tax for my car (and only 1/3 of the total sum collected from road tax is actually spent on roads). £800/year on insurance. Petrol isn't cheap, and taxed to high heaven. Add in an annual service, and MOT and it's fucking expensive. To top it off, that piece of metal and plastic
Band On The Wall 2007-03-19 16:29:00 Our fiends over at Manchester Confidential reckon that Band On The Wall is coming back. The infamous music venue was also one of Manchesters oldest, and the charity behind it has been dropping hints about a re-opening since they closed the doors!Their problems stemmed from the age of the building, and the legal (and moral) requirements to bring in to the 21st Century. They plan to rebuild the venue as a centre for music, kit the place out with some big speakers and mixing desks. They reckon they'll be finished the work in 2008.Gordo's gang suggests that the city council have stumped up £700,000 for the project, and council leader Richard Leese referred to the Northern Quarter venue as "a priceless part of the City’s musical history". Keep an eye on the Band On The Wall website for more info.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
The Funk on Sat 2007-03-26 15:23:00 "Good to see so many people at Funkademia on Saturday.It was the first time they'd had a guest DJ there and the night was a huge success with the club packed to the rafters and over 200 people locked out! Apologies to those of you who came down, but couldn't get in. I ended up playing for a highly enjoyable 5 hours (twice as long as originally intended). Looking forward to a return appearance later in the year." - Greg WilsonSome pics...Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Manchester The Card 2007-03-29 16:10:00 Morons...I stumbled upon the (alleged) Manchester Card page, put together by Marketing Manchester. They're team who have been entrusted to use the publics money wisely (and also to promote Manchester if they get a chance).Apparently I can use the card to 'Visit Manchester and get 50% off'. Since they haven't listed ANY offers I can only assume that I get 50% off everything. Bonus!Thankfully there's 'no obligation [to visit Manchester?] and it's completely free'I tried to sign up, but got this message..."Unfortunately, due to high demand, we are currently out of stock of the Manchester Card. We have your details stored on our systems and will send your card as soon as we can."I literally cannot wait.....to find out if this card even exists.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
No Super Casino 2007-03-29 14:50:00 So we may not be getting a SuperCasino
after all! Like the Big Wheel saga I am getting bored of this already. I confidently predicted that the Government would stick by the decision to award Manchester a super casino, since Labour are fully commited to making bad decisions (and seeing them through). If there's one thing that I thought I could rely on it's that...but sadly they have let me and themselves down.On a moral level I do want Blackpool to have it. There's something deeply depressing about the town, yet historically it has been important to Britons (before we could afford air travel). The similarities between Blackpool and Atlantic City, a coastal town in New Jersey that was rejuvenated by gambling, are striking although it should be noted that Atlantic City had Donald Trump behind it (who thrives on Fireworks) whilst Blackpools ideas seem a bit staid, corporate and disapointing.And I, like almost everyone else, was very suprised that Manchester got it. Not even 'nice supr
The Good Ship Lollypop 2007-03-30 14:09:00 ...returns.More shenanigans at at the Circle Club, this time they've bringing there acts to Manchester. Miss Lily White is bringing her 'English Country Garden' routine, Steve Royale brings some comedy and The £25 ticket fee includes canapes, a chocolate fountain and amazing head massages. More on their MyspaceSteve Royale Steve Royle is an actor, writer, comedian, juggler , and most recently became a regular presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire. His Saturday morning 9 til 12 show means he is now a treat for both cochlea and cornea alike. He has just completed another enjoyable few months as "Special Guest" on Dave Spikey's "Living The Dream Tour ", and even sold out his first "Steve Royle Comedy Extravaganza" show at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre in March. He is a regular headline act at The Comedy Store and other "alternative" venues, performed alongside Steve Coogan & Peter Kay at the Apollo Theatre Manchester, and landed a role in Channel 4 's "Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere Scen
Fergie bans the party boys 2007-03-31 19:21:00 News reaches us that Fergie
has slapped a ban on his players partying at Twisted Elegance. They've politely been told to keep the enjoyment to a minimum.A few years ago I saw Wes Brown looking particularly glum in the VIP lounge...I don't think it's a great loss for the club.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Withington becomes less Pleasurable 2007-03-31 13:59:00 Pleasure, my second favourite Withington bar, is rumoured to be for the chop. My source tells me that the bar will be closing, and the building razed! Save Pleasure?Im no architectural expert, but that building is unique. It looks like part of Italy was transported on to Wilmslow Road, and it'd be sad to see it go....So that leaves Withingtonites with the wonderful Solomon Grundys, and it's woefully bad service.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Peep Show: 2 More Series In The Bag 2007-04-01 17:02:00 For the Peep show fans, there's another TWO series in the bag....Series 4 rolls out on Friday 13th April - C4 kept this one a secret till the last minute!Series 5 has been commissioned by the channel.Despite critical acclaim the show has yet to hit the big time. Series 3 averaged just 1.3million viewers thanks, in part, to it's late slot on a Friday night. Despite this the third series was widely regarded as even better than 1 and 2, and brisk DVD sales confirmed it's popularity.Channel 4 has huge faith in the show, and after promoting series 3 like their other mainstream programmes they've taking the 'viral' route for series 4....which explains why their legal eagles have been relaxed about ALL of peep show on YouTube. Enjoy, while you can....Series 1Episode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Series 2Episode 1Episode2Episode3Episode4Episode5Episode6Series 3Episode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
The iPhone Is Dead! 2007-04-01 16:57:00 Apple abandons iPhone
, links with Google for idPhone. "The "ID" will be sold in two versions. Premium retails for $499, while a budget Standard edition will retail for $399. The Standard ID package includes no hardware at all, but maintains cardboard-for-cardboard parity with the Premium edition packaging.More on the idPhoneWhathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Call in a code 8. We need pretzels, repeat pretzels. 2007-04-04 23:43:00 A beer truck was involved in a crash underneath the Mancunian Way tonight, causing the closure of a roundabout and re-routing of traffic away from the Premier Travelodge (can this be made permanent?).The truck was laden with beer kegs and some unlucky sod is having to remove every single one before they can tow the vehicle away. At present it's surrounded by a suspiciously high number of police, and a lot of confused looking grease monkeys.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
24 (Hour Terrorist People) 2007-04-06 23:45:00 Manchester's own CTU is to be expanded, with a total of 350 full-time staff members taking up the fight against terrorism in the North West. Tony Porter, (a.k.a. Jack Bauer) said: "This is a significant development that will enhance our capability to protect the public from the terrorist threat. The CTU will build on the existing good work that has been taking place in the region." He definitely didn't say "Tell me where the bomb is or I will kill your son." 1An article on the BBC website sheds some light on how our safety will be secured:"CTU officers will use contact with neighbourhood police officers and community leaders prior to operations, without compromising the secrets."CTU: "Errr what are you up to next Tuesday?"Community Leader: "Nothing, why?"CTU: "Oh no reason....."This service is, of course, exclusive to Sky customers.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester Read more:Terrorist
It's festival time 2007-04-11 19:34:00 The Manchester International Festival is taking place sometime soon, and it's worth a visit for the flash movie at the top...http://www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
So 90s - America in the grip of Alcopoppery 2007-04-11 15:58:00 The US is in the grip of Alcopop madness, as the nations media works itself into a lather over a brightly coloured potion."I tried them, and they taste like cancer" [1]Spykes, some would say, are clearly aimed at younger drinkers. Brightly coloured and with a 'cool' name, many god-fearing America
ns are concerned that it's being supped by teens...yet the legal drinking age is 21 over there (Unless you're aged 20 and British, in which case you can flip the month and day and get away with it!).Too young to get booze? Pretend you're a pisshead with Disney's champagne for kidsThe problem is that the most American booze tastes like cack (with the exception of hand made cocktails and Samuel Jackson beer). A product like Spykes, with it's fruity infusion and "premium malt" goodness, is always going to appeal to drinkers fed up with burping (Bud) or crapping (Guinness). Amazingly some people are actually ADDING this liquor to their beers to make them taste better. "It's the perfect d
Funny goings on in the Straight Village 2007-04-11 15:10:00 I was lucky enough to get a guided tour of Jongleurs when it opened (back in 2001) and promptly disgraced myself by getting drunk on free booze. They were nice enough to let me in again, and I had a good time down there.The London based comedy club struggled in Manchester - they were going up against the shiny new Comedy Store and the dark n dirty Frog and Bucket - but their combination of comedy and food (tickets included a bucket of fried goodness) won them some fans.Their home on Chorlton Street was sold on to make apartments so Jongleurs closed their doors for the final time in January. Now I hear on the grapevine that Jongleurs is coming back to Manchester...and they're slated to open above the Walkabout on Peter Street! Some might say that that's the perfect place for them, since the club is aimed at the boozey crowd and that's what Peter Street is all about. The Printworks would have been a better home for Jongleurs ...but they've already got Opus's regular comedy events.Wh Read more:Funny
, Straight
, Village
Get your tanks off my dancefloor. 2007-04-13 15:40:00 "RIDE MY TANK" arrived in my inbox this afternoon, and it was an offer from Edward Hartley who owns an ex-army APC. It's available for hire (from £200/hour) so you can arrive a club in style....or just frighten a few people.The IFV432 'Trojan' Armoured Personnel Carrier is sited somewhere near Leeds, but can be brought across the country if desired (albeit slowly!). There's even a nice video of it crushing a Beetle.The APC is fully road legal, and includes a sound system.ridemytank.comWhathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
Dpercussion: It's on, and it's over two days 2007-04-13 02:31:00 D.Percussion celebrates ten years of existence this August, and in a break with tradition they're having it over two days (Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th). Each day will start from midday and run till 11pm, then there'll be the usual array of after parties.Find out more on what's happening at D-percussion, and read about the after parties on our regularly updated Dpercussion pageThe event was started as a peaceful response to the IRA bombing in 1997, and over the years the Castlefield Basin has seen a wide variety of bands, DJs and entertainers. It seems to be the one festival that's enjoyed by everyone in Manchester (they're expecting around 70,000 visitors this year) and when the weather holds out it's a glorious day...Artists confirmed so far are as follows: Norman JayThe Sunshine UndergroundChibuku Shake ShakeDavid HolmesGreg WilsonThe WhipAndy VotelDomuCherry GhostThe Beat MonkeysSankeysThe KBCTrampDpercussion 2007Aside from the world renowned Notting Hill Carnival and Liverpoo
Sankeys Defaced 2007-04-13 21:05:00 Sankeys Wikipedia entry (which I wrote, a bit) is under attack!Such is the way with Wikipedia, anyone can log on and change the contents of the page and disgruntled clubbers have been 'adjusting' it to reflect their own opinions..."It is run and promoted by a complete cunt called David Vincent (don't call him Dave) who's own ego is bigger than the whole Sankeys and Tribal Gathering ethos apparently. This has led to one of the best clubs in the country having it's heart ripped out and replaced with a shit paint job and utter knobs wearing scarves and sunglasses indoors."In general Manchester doesn't get much coverage on Wikipedia, as their Manchester Nightclubs category contains just six listings (and only four of those are actually open) but their articles on the Hacienda and the Boardwalk are informative, if a little too short.Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester Read more:Sankeys
If you're going to have sex in a club... 2007-04-13 20:53:00 ...wear a nappy?Two punters get exposed on the sankeys board.Makes you realise why the Music Box puts up this warning...Whathappenedlastnight guide to Manchester
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