Simply New Year

If there’s one thing that’s sure to turn me into a grumpy old man – which is no mean feat considering I’m not even a man – it’s New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve is the night when hundreds of thousands of people feel forced to drag themselves off their comfy sofas, squeeze their chubby post Christmas selves into their party frocks, and embark on an evening of compulsory ‘fun’. Then those who choose to stand up to the New Year’s Eve peer pressure and spend the evening in, can’t help but feel a little bit sad as midnight strikes and they’re reminded that everyone in the world is out celebrating without them. It’s a lose-lose situation.

After having a quiet one last year, I decided that this year it was time to drag myself off the sofa. Some friends were going to Simple in the Northern Quarter, somewhere I would have never even thought to spend my New Year’s Eve, so I decided to tag along.

Avoiding the groups of girls in fairy wings and pink cowboy hats and the hair gel brigade walking down Oxford Street, we found our way to Simple, where £7 bought us entry into the most laid back NYE party I’ve ever encountered.

Like a secret haven of cool hidden out of sight of Manchester’s crowds and pretenders, Simple’s end of year bash, Persona, was a perfect way to see in 2007. The clientele were mixed, but very friendly and unpretentious, while the bar staff were all fantastic and didn’t seem even a bit cheesed off to be working New Year’s Eve.

The night kicked off at 8pm with up and coming indie-electronic band The Dead Wasps (www.deadwasps.co.uk) playing a one hour set. At this point I was at home drying my hair, and so missed out. But not to worry, as The Dead Wasps’ stunning vocalist Hayley joined in with the later DJ sets to provide some improvised vocals to Persona’s “deep beats, house grooves, soulful vocals, jazzy vibes, electronic melodies, breakbeat and drum n’ bass”. Now I have no idea what half of those terms actually mean, but they were bloody brilliant.

Several tequila shots and some awesome dancing later, and we welcomed in 2007 to the sounds of John Lennon’s Imagine. After that it all gets a little blurry to be absolutely honest, but a terrific time was had by all.

Thank you Simple, for reforming me and helping me to see the fun that can be had on New Year’s Eve. I will be returning.

What did you get up to on New Year’s Eve? Did you go anywhere that you think deserves a shout out on Manchester Confidential? Let us know by filling in the form below.

Simple…in the Northern Quarter
G20-21 Smithfield Buildings
Tibb Street
Manchester
M4 1LA

Tel: 0870 757 1996
www.simplebar.co.uk

Jayne Robinson