Manchester’s nightlife scene is world-famous for good reason – we’re not known as the 24 hour party people for nothing.
As the years have gone on, our city’s nightclub industry has evolved and changed beyond recognition.
The world-famous Hacienda days are long gone, but now Manchester is famed for huge clubnights like Warehouse Project and its under-the-radar events at venues like Hidden and The White Hotel.
We asked our readers which venues they miss dancing the night away in.
Here’s what you had to say.
Paradise Factory
25 years ago I walked through these doors and into my first gay club – Paradise Factory. I was excited, terrified, turned on and overwhelmed, and this mix of emotions inspired a key scene in my novel #TheMadonnaOfBolton. It’s great to be back + once again I’m feeling overwhelmed. pic.twitter.com/PuRSiz4r1W
On the corner of Princess Street and Charles Street stands a venue that’s been an integral part of Manchester’s music scene for decades.
Initially the headquarters of Factory Records, in the 90s it became the Paradise Factory, a lively gay club.
Alexier Mayes said the Paradise Factory was the ‘best nightclub ever’, and dozens have agreed with her.
Cedna Jo said: “No other club like it.”
Maria Telford added: “Indeed! Where else could you bump into the iconic Sue Pollard and Paul Nicholls together in the toilets?”
The Boardwalk
The Boardwalk Climbed the steep narrow stairs in there a lot in the early/mid 90s to see bands play. First visit was in Jan 1990 to see an outfit, The Charlatans who were about to release a debut single. I liked what I saw. They quickly became quite successful
The Boardwalk was a mecca for fans of alternative music, and an iconic live music venue in the 1980s and 1990s.
Its stage was graced by the likes of Oasis, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, James and The Verve.
These days it’s an office block, but back then the action took place well outside the hours of 9-5.
Jim Covert-lly remembers it as a ‘great live venue and indie joint’.
He wrote: “Bit more effort to reach than its rivals and felt like more for those there for the good tunes than to just get battered.”
Janine replied: “I worked there and loved Molotov pop. Great night which luckily moved to the music box.”
Marvin Deans also posted: “Yellow on a Friday night was my first experience of clubbing regularly. When we were allowed in of course. Got turned away a few times.BUT also saw my favourite ever concert there…Maxwell ‘96 and cost £7”
Brahms & Liszt
The old site of Brahms & Lizst on Brown Street, Manchester. Credit: Google Maps
A lot of Mancs seem to remember the trip to the toilets in Brahms & Liszt the most, describing it as the ‘staircase of doom’.
But the venue was also a popular bar in the 1980s, named after Cockney rhyming slang rather than the classical composers.
In the space that is now Habas, and was previously Panama Hatties, The Manc readers remember some ‘strangely good nights’.
Julie wrote: “Oh the hangovers after the beer kellar… But brahms and list was a little less crowded, so it gets my vote”
Jilli added: “Brahms & Liszt with that very dodgy spiral staircase to the loos”
DeVille’s
They just don’t make nightclubs like this anymore.
DeVille’s and its neighbouring bar Lazy Lil’s were a staple of the Madchester days, but at the heart of the bar was something a bit more unusual.
The nightlife spot was home to an actual bucking bronco that would fling revellers around regardless of alcohol consumption.
Mike King said: “Devilles with the bucking bronco – great fun when you were hammered”
Damian added: “Devilles, more for the people than the club”
Sankeys is one of those nightclubs that everyone remembers, even if you never stepped foot inside.
The super club was in Ancoats, before the area was filled with the apartments and restaurants.
Over the years of openings and closures, the venue expanded across several floors of Beehive Mill and added features like a beach (with 50 tonnes of sand), a glowing ceiling, and a non-stop roster of huge names in the world of dance, techno and house music.
Carrie Caffrey said: “Water dripping off the ceiling, bodies tightly packed, bass thumping in your chest and no mobile phones sucking the joy out of living in the moment. Excellent memories”
Will added: “Hadmy best nights in that place! Absolutely rocking”
Michael remembered: “Sankeys – nothing compared to those resident Kaluki parties around 2010 when the basement was only half full but full of absolutely sound heads and not a single d*ck head in sight. Unreal times. We didn’t know how good we had it.”
Adam wrote: “Sankys with resident DJ Avicii RIP! The sad thing is, there really isn’t another superclub in Manchester anymore?!”
Chris posted: “Met my beautiful GF in Sankey’s in 1996, 26 years later we’re still joined at hip!!!! Forever old house cats!!”
The Hacienda
The Hacienda was arguably Manchester’s most famous nightclub of all time
This one’s pretty obvious – even 25 years after the Hacienda shut down, its traces linger in the city.
The venue was the cornerstone of the Madchester era and credited with changing the face of rave forever.
Lee Berry commented: “The Hacienda was the mecca of house music in Manchester and i had some amazing nights there.”
Nicola said: “The hac, hands down, but I expected most answers wld be, but lots of others named! Just shows how fantastic Manchesters club scene was!”
Rhys wrote: “we use start at the Athenaeum than workaway along all the bars up to the hacienda … cheerleaders before before the hacienda and then big jugs of beer. Thursday nights were good”
Caravan added: “Hacienda, only went a handful of times but was banging everytime.”
Jilly’s Rockworld
Jilly’s Rockworld shut down in 2010. Credit: Google Maps
Jilly’s Rockworld was one of Manchester’s best nightclubs, a haven for indie rock and alternative music.
The legendary Oxford Road venue shut down for good in 2010, but Mancs will never forget the friendly, welcoming vibe of the venue.
Ursula Tucker wrote: “Jillys. Used to love it. Always felt safe in both and had a great night out.”
Natalie Power said: “Easily Jillys rockworld! Such an awesome place filled with amazing people, it was the heart of the rock/alternative culture in Manchester, so many good memories from there! Miss it nowhere else compares”
Gavin added: “Jillie’s rock world by far. Everyone was respectful of each other, and in general people would be more than happy to help each other. It wasn’t just a club, it was a community hub.”
Featured image: Flickr
Audio
Olivia Rodrigo at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for GUTS: Spilled tour
Thomas Melia
The wait is finally over, as everyone’s favourite teen-pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is bringing her GUTS: Spilled tour to Manchester, playing two nights at Co-op Live more than a year after the high-profile postponement.
Poor Olivia Rodrigo found herself caught up in the delayed Co-op Live opening last year, with the popstar postponing her two gigs just days before they were meant to take place.
Fans then went into a meltdown waiting for new dates, which got announced months later – but it’s finally time.
‘Deja vu’, ‘traitor’, ‘All I Want’ singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo is making her long-awaited debut at Co-op Live Manchester for two nights of heartbreak, angst and back to back hits.
Now, this 22 year old super star is wearing her heart on her sleeve or as Rodrigo phrases it, spilling her guts, playing songs from her impressive discography right here at Co-op Live.
Olivia Rodrigo gig guide
Olivia Rodrigo last visited Manchester in 2022, when she played O2 Apollo.
Olivia Rodrigo UK tour dates
Fri 27 June – London, UK – Hyde Park
Sun 29 June – Glastonbury, UK – Glastonbury Festival
Mon 30 June – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Tue 1 July – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Olivia Rodrigo tickets for Co-op Live gig
If you’re after a way to ‘get him (or anyone) back!’ getting your hands on Olivia Rodrigo tickets might just be the way to do it, and luckily for you there’s a small selection left.
Anyone looking to attend Rodrigo’s 30 June show have a few options, just make sure you don’t get bled dry like a ‘vampire’ trying to buy these prized possessions with exclusive tickets HERE.
For those after tickets to ‘GUTS: Spilled’ night two on 1 July can live out their ‘teenage dream’ in style with a handful of hospitality packages up for grabs HERE.
What are the stage times for Olivia Rodrigo in Manchester?
Olivia Rodrigo is visiting Co-op Live in Manchester on 30 June and 1 July.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm so rest assured you’ll be tucked up in bed before the early hours and you’ll be asleep faster than you can say ‘ballad of a homeschooled girl’.
Doors to open at 6pm with no confirmed kick off time or support act yet but there is an offical afterparty happening at Co-op Live’s new Backstage Club from 10pm onwards for both dates with tickets HERE.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
‘GUTS; Spilled’ has seen this American super star jet-setting across the globe.
Featured Images – Supplied via Larissa Hoffman / Nick Walker
Audio
Popular noodle bar Chopstix to host ALL-NEW live music event in Manchester
Thomas Melia
Much-loved noodle box eatery Chopstix are hosting an all-new series of live music events, with the first kicking off at one of Manchester’s most popular venues.
Chopstix has become a foodie’s favourite in the city centre with its combo boxes and now they’re about to win over the musiclovers thanks to these brand-new live-performances.
The Asian restaurant chain is launching ‘Red Box Live’,a first-of-its-kind music event series taking place in some of the UK’s best independent music venues,, and it kicks off at one of the city’s most beloved music venues,YES.
These events will see a rising star headline slot, DJ’s, free drinks and of course, food, because it couldn’t be a Chopstix party without some of its iconic flavour-packed boxes.
Chopstix is known for serving up flavoursome feasts in their combo boxes.The Asian restaurant chain has chosen YES as the first spot for their ‘Red Box Live’ event.Credit: Supplied
Indie-pop artist Liang Lawrence is claiming the first headline spot and she’s definitely no stranger at frequenting some of the most famed stages in the country, having recently performed at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sefton Park on the BBC Introducing stage, following in the footsteps of Manc rap-talent Aitch.
The ‘Red Box Live’ music events build from the eatery’s previous music-focused series ‘Red Box Sessions’ which saw acts like Flames Collective and Grace Davies (X-Factor) in intimate studio sessions.
Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix, said: The launch of our brand new Red Box Live event series is incredibly exciting.”We’re bringing big, bold flavour and raw music talent together – serving up an unbeatable combo for our flavour craving crowd right here in Manchester.”
“We’re bringing BIG, BOLD flavour and raw music talent together – serving up an unbeatable combo for our Flavour Craving crowd right here in Manchester.”
Liang Lawrence will be performing at ‘Red Box Live’ organised by Chopstix.There will be free food and live music at this exclusive event.Credit: Supplied
The first ‘Red Box Live’ is taking place on 16 July with a headline performance from Liang Lawrence at YES in Manchester. Doors open from 7pm with a DJ set, and tickets are available to win for free on Chopstix’s website.
Daisy Jackson -
4th March 2022 
