Apparently the number of clubs in the UK has halved over the past decade. In 2005 there were 3,144 nightclubs in Britain: now there are 1,733.
I used to love clubbing, going to gigs and going out dancing - often after the pubs closed at 11pm, but then I lived in Manchester between 1990-1996 when it was good to be alive.
The pub was a great place to catch up with mates, talk utter nonsense and drink good beer. Sometimes there was a pub quiz or a football match to watch if you couldn't afford SKY TV, or get a ticket to the game, or just wanted to be sociable.
Bands in pubs (unless they are specific music venues, or feature an acoustic set in a corner which doesn't dominate all else) completely kill the atmosphere as you can't hear a word anyone says. If I walk into a pub which has karaoke, I walk straight out again (there are perfectly good karaoke bars for that sort of exhibitionism).
I understand pubs and clubs must change to keep up with changing times, but must they all just become the bland and boring same?
5 Favourite Clubs from Manchester Days:
- The Hacienda - it's a cliche but it's true; it was a top night out, with 'banging tunes' and a side-serving of edgy Mancs
- The Ritz - that bouncy wooden floor from the days of ballroom dancing; that balcony viewing for looking down from above; the way you knew it was time to cop off or clear out when they started playing Sympathy for the Devil
- The Academy - simply rave-tastic
- Jilly's Rockworld - sticky carpets and all: four floors to suit any musical taste from long-haired prog-rock (apparently; I never went to that floor), to 80's kitch, contemporary jump-around beats, and the cool kids techno in the basement
- Home - the night after the bomb when they played nothing but Manchester music, I even danced to The Fall. I've never felt so much affection for a city. 'If it's not love then it's the bomb that will bring us together'.
