CityLife

Blink

A SWITCHED on crowd flooded into the basement under Aflfeck's Palace to see Manchester four piece Delphic play an under exposed and over subscribed single launch party.

In the former Club North, late night hangout Blink burst into life, staking its claim on the willfully grimy subterranean club space, the preview paving the way for a 10-week pop up programme of events that begins tonight.

Blink will open every Friday and Saturday night until July with a mix of up-and-coming indie bands and assorted DJs (like Calvin Harris this Saturday, and a forthcoming DJ set from Late of the Fear), giving the Northern Quarter a welcome loud, late licensed late night hangout, albeit only for a short time.

Resident DJ Veba will head a line-up of national and regional DJs and nights, including end of term underground musical mash up All Day Breakfast and twisted trannie night MirrorMirror’s extravagant summer ball.

Dust settles

The premise is simple: one off events, big sounds, memorable nights out, in a temporary space with a rough-round-around-the-edges charm.

When the dust settles on the 2 month programme of nights, the builders will move into the basement.

Blink is only phase one of a project from Ross McKenzie (One Central Street, Purple Pussycat) and Jobe Ferguson (The Northern Quarter Restaurant) who are pooling their expert resources to deliver what looks like the best concept bar Manchester will see this year.

It's inspired by the round-the-clock quality and ‘Employees Only/PDT’-style secrecy of bars in downtown NYC – gourmet pizzas at 2am, cocktails, pool tables, draught beers, secret rooms policed by password.

Speakeasy stylings

And they’re bringing the same speakeasy stylings to Manchester with the launch of the Blackdog Ballroom in October.

The visuals depict a venue characterised by slate floors, wood panels, modern lights and luxe couches, big back bars, dramatic staircases and drapes.

Trading 16 hours a day it’ll be a permanent hangout and a contrast to Blink’s flash in the pan. Neither should be missed.

 
Cocktail: Blackdog Manhattan

THE booze you’ll probably drink at Blink is club friendly: pints and spirit mixers. But if you want a cocktail (and a feel of what’s to come) the well qualified team – tasked with delivering to the same standards as de facto sister venue TNQR – will deliver. Try the Blackdog Manhattan: sweet vermouth, Heering cherry liqueur and Maker’s Mark bourbon, stirred over ice and served in a martini glass, garnished with a black cherry.

Aflfeck's Palace, Basement
37-43 Oldham Street
Manchester
M1 1JG

Tweet