So many clubs, bars and pubs have left their mark on Manchester over the years.
While some popular venues have stood the test of time, many have sadly closed in our lifetime. And few still evoke as much feeling, or as many good memories, as these venues from 10 to 20 years ago.
Some opened decades before the noughties but were later confined to the history books. Others were around for a matter of years but still live on in our memories, reunion nights or through the new businesses who occupy the sites.
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From student haunts to legendary clubs, we only recently said goodbye to a number of them, but they all lived in the noughties in the city. Here, we take a look back at some of the Manchester bars and clubs we loved back in the noughties.
This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we picked a number of lost bars and clubs in around Manchester at the time. But if you have you would like to see included, let us know in the comments section below.
1. South
First opening in the 1970s as one of Manchester's first gay clubs, this nightclub was loved in the city for almost 30 years. It was first opened as South back in 1995 by former Hacienda promoter Paul Cons, as an "antidote" to the superclub trend.
In 2001 it was taken over by Oldham club entrepreneur Aaron Mellor's Tokyo Industries and redesigned by renowned Hacienda designer Ben Kelly in 2010. South became known for its indie nights, but also celebrated an eclectic mix of musical styles including the Murkage garage night.
In June this year, the MEN reported how the legendary Manchester nightclub South was to close after 27 years entertaining the city's masses. The shock closure was announced on Twitter by one of the club's most famous resident DJs - Manc music icon Clint Boon.
2. Dry Bar
It's been over 30 years since the legendary Dry Bar first opened at the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter. The Oldham Street nightclub burst onto the scene in 1989 and over the years frequented by many a Madchester and Britpop band back in the day, famously barring both Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder in its time.
Opened by Factory Records, under the project name Fac 201, label boss Tony Wilson said, "Dry is to be to the bars what the Hacienda is to clubs." The then futuristic interior was designed by Architect Ben Kelly Design.
Through the noughties, many locals and students will remember heading to the venue on a night out. But in 2017, the Northern Quarter institution was sold with planning permission for a boutique hotel.
3. The Birdcage
The Birdcage first opened in 2006 on the Withy Grove side of Manchester Arndale, opposite The Printworks. It later became a hen party hotspot and popular for its weekly student nights.
But the venue was best-known for its Showtime cabaret nights on Saturdays, featuring flamboyant drag acts and dancers. However, in May 2019, The Birdcage closed after 13 years.
The venue had underwent a £400,000 refurbishment two years prior. In September 2020, the site reopened as massive new bowling and games bar.
4. Fifth Avenue
Prior to becoming Fifth Avenue, the subterranean space on Princess Street was called Legend, and was the precursor to the Hacienda, featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting rigs. The site was also the location that the Happy Mondays chose to film the video for their track Wrote For Luck in 1988.
Legendary DJ Greg Wilson was its resident from 1981 to 1983 and the venue later played host to the likes of Mike Pickering, A Guy Called Gerald and Paul Oakenfold in the nascent rave era. For many - students and locals alike - nights out at Fifth Ave, later known simply as Fifth, were a rite of passage.
But earlier this year, the MEN reported how according to Manchester City Council, the venue’s licence was ‘surrendered by the licence holder, 5th Leisure Limited, on 23/11/2021’. Fifth had been shuttered since the beginning of the pandemic in March, 2020.
5. Jilly's Rockworld
Some of you might remember Jilly's better as Fagin's, which opened in 1970. But for the generation who began clubbing in the noughties and beyond, you'll remember the site for its last chapter as Jilly's Rockworld.
The club was a beacon for rock and metal fans from all across the North West, and threw an all-nighter once a month, which ran until 7am. It would famously serve Pot Noodles behind the bar on the all-nighters, to soak up the cider. Jilly’s, the flyers for which boasted ‘rock, metal, punk, goth, alternative & nu-wave alt’, ran three nights a week from 1983 until it closed its doors in 2010.
Many treasure the clubs last years and being part of its life in the noughties. These days, the site is occupied by the Tesco Metro on Oxford Road.
6. Paradise Street Factory
Paradise Factory opened on Princess Street in 1993 in the former Factory Records HQ which mentored Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays and more. The iconic 1990s gay club had two dancefloors and three bars and attracted clubbers from all backgrounds who just wanted a great night up until its last days in the noughties.
Many DJs performed at the Manchester club in its time, including the Luvdup twins, Mark and Adrian, and electronic duo, The Chemical Brothers. The “state-of-the-art” Paradise Factory also had a gallery and cinema.
An article in the Manchester Metro from October 1993 explains how Paradise Factory would be open “until 4am” some nights, but that this prompted complaints from nearby residents, including students living in the nearby Western Hall residence. Despite noise complaints, clubbers enjoyed a decade of partying at the venue, before it was sold in 2006.
7. Sankey's
It's been almost 30 years since Sankey's first burst onto the scene and became a clubbing institution for over two decades. It first opened its doors as Sankeys Soap in June 1994 and from there was reborn on numerous occasions and welcomed hundreds of clubbers and top DJs.
At one point, it entered the big leagues of the clubbing world and franchises saw the Sankeys name transported out of Manchester into places like Ibiza and New York. It was voted the best nightclub in the world multiple times by industry bible DJ Mag.
But by 2017, the venue closed as it was sold to a developer to be turned into apartments, leaving fans devastated. Following the announcement, Manchester clubbers, DJs and celebs reacted to Sankeys closure, taking to social media to express their sadness.
8. Pure
Based inside the Printworks, Pure was one of Manchester's biggest nightclubs in the noughties. It had previously been Lucid. Open from 2006 to 2011, it had a capacity of 2,500 and attracted huge crowds at the weekends.
Split over multiple floors and rooms, its music policy spanned pop classics, chart R&B and dance. It also hosted roller discos on Wednesdays.
The venue later became a Bierkeller.
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
9. Legends
Originally home to Twisted Wheel, this site was later home to Placemate 7, Follies and Legends. As Legends, it closed for good in 2012.
It was demolished in 2013 to make way for the Motel One near Piccadilly train station. But the Whitworth Street venue is still fondly remembered today.
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10. M-Two
Many will remember this Peter Street site for Discotheque Royale, which affectionately became known as 'Royales.' The club opened in the former Theatre Royal in 1978 and later featured on late night dance music show The Hitman and Her which featured the first TV performance of Take That.
It was later known as Coliseum. But many will remember the site in its last chapter as M-Two, before it closed in 2009.
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11. Opus
This is another sprawling Printworks nightspot of the same ilk and era as Pure. Back in the 00s, Opus consisted of a club, restaurant, bar and comedy lounge.
The club was split over three rooms playing R&B, dance/house/chart, and indie. It opened in 2006 and was popular with students until its closure in 2012.
12. Jumpin' Jaks / Billie Rox
Based on the corner of Portland Street and Dickinson Street, Jumpin' Jaks and its later reincarnation Billie Rox were popular in the 90s and noughties. The site became known for playing chart, cheese and dance from across the decades.
It had an Australian beach shack theme inside with fake alligators and crocodiles. And was known for its roller disco, which turned the dancefloor into a drunken rink on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
But the venue closed in 2010. The building is now home to Chinese buffet restaurant Tops.
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