CityLife

Clubs play musical chairs as an icon returns

LAUNCH NIGHT SET: Jodie Harsh

A FAMILIAR face from the city’s clubbing past is set to make a return at the end of the month, as One Central Street becomes No. 1 Club.

The Central Street venue closed just a few weeks ago after seven years of service and has since undergone an extensive revamp, bringing with it new door staff, new lineups and a return from what was one of town’s leading gay clubs in the 1980s.

“It is interesting they are coming back. No. 1 was hugely popular in the late Eighties and was a great gay/mixed alternative to the Hacienda when you couldn’t get in,” said a CityLife source.

Federation

Now, the venue hopes to extend the Village scene over the other side of Portland Street, with the aid of famed promotions agency Federation.

The first event lined up will be a launch special with Mirror Mirror, which is moving from its former home at the Purple Pussycat to take up a new residency at No. 1 on the last Friday of every month. On the night, special guest Jodie Harsh will be on hand with floorfillers and pithy putdowns.

Other events lined up include a special set from Disco Bloodbath, who bring their wonky italo madness on Friday, 2 October, and another in the series of Brenda vs. Bollox head-to-heads. Regular slots look set to be given over to popular alt.gay night Terrorist and Murkage, which is stayin at the venue but moving nights.

Romp

Announcing a raft of autumn/winter lineups – including appearances from AC Slater, Goldielocks and Afrikan Boy – Murkage leader David Lewis said: “It’s a real honour for us to be holding the same slot that the legendary Romp nightclub once did and we hope to invoke the same wild party atmosphere that Romp did in its heyday.”

Former One Central Street mainstay Funkademia has moved to Mint Lounge as part of the shake-up.

Speaking about the dawn of a new era, No. 1 Club owner, Ross Mackenzie, said: “I am really excited about this huge new beginning for us, my aim is to work with new and exciting club nights that draw in the crowds and continue to surprise.

“Now is the time for something different - and the No.1 Club promises to be just that.”

No. 1 Club opens on Friday, September 25 with a Mirror Mirror special featuring Jodie Harsh. 10.30pm-late. £5