Booths and cocktails, girls and rock tales

Where do you go when you are old enough to remember (and miss) the Hacienda, and therefore a little too old and sophisticated to go to a thumping techno night? But still mad for it??? Answer: The Obsidian Restaurant and now Night club, on a Saturday night with Dave Haslam! That’s where..

The old tunes are still the best tunes. I firmly believe this and am also too long in the tooth to argue the point, but there is still a great tradition of classic tunes being DJ'd around Manchester in some of the coolest venues slightly off the beaten club path. John Locke at Circle and Charlie's is one, Steve Cato at various venues in town, and now Dave Haslam at the Obsidian Restaurant below the Arora Hotel on Princess street.

To cut a long article short I had a great night, however I will get sacked for summarizing that abruptly so here is more..

The atmosphere in the club (restaurant) was great. If you ever wonder where the down to earth friendly and beautiful folk of Manchester hang out at the weekend then this is one of those places! I had the great fortune to sit next to an ex-hacienda dancer who looked fantastic whilst on my left I had the delectable Kerry from Dinosaur, the finest red head in the country at the mo. Celebs were in attendance of course, i had a brief chat the with mighty Guy Garvey from Elbow who had just dropped off his 17 year old Niece, wise move!

The Hacienda can of Stella is now replaced by the Porn Star Martini cocktail (which Lindsay had to try 6 of to confirm that she was really enjoying it) but the night was all the better for it, the music and people were as good as i remember it and the girls were more beautiful still. As you can tell I don't get out to clubs very often these days, but this is due to there being fewer and fewer really quality club nights out for a 30 something who is still firmly in touch with their Indie dance roots!

Now I am getting married soon and the trouble and strife and I were treated to a few bottles of champagne by the charming and classy Vanessa now in charge of the restaurant and promotions who has clearly made a great start with this night and other plans that she ran by me whilst I was still compus.

This is a great addition to the slight return of the Manchester vibe in clubs, move over hip hop, techno, trance and all the other tired and obvious club efforts. This is the staple of the Manchester night out, with no trouble or attitude in sight, just good people and better music in a fine underground heaven, a long luminous bar and secluded booths from which to survey the busy dance floor. Blimey.

Dave Haslam at Obsidian, NEXT PLAYING: 29th APRIL - 2006
10pm to 2am - FREE - call for guest list and booth reservations..

Andy Mullett