Four floors of noise from the Now Wave boys
As we mentioned in our previous clubs in Manchester article the city is in need of new spaces in its city center. Spaces that want to host interesting acts, events, and gigs. When we heard about Yes MCR we knew we had to go down to see if it’d live up to the hype.
I’m glad to say I was not disappointed.
The opening of Yes MCR marks the latest in a pattern of clubbing triangles. From Liverpool’s Baltic triangle to the soon to be christened Strangeways triangle (Hidden, White Hotel & Partisan). Yes MCR joins this triptych of triangles hand in hand with a re-invigorated Joshua Brooks and Hatch (Just don’t tell Fifth Ave and Factory to get involved because you’ll end up with a seriously fucked up pentagram!).
As far as Manchester nightclubs go it’s so much more than a sweaty basement with a void system. With four floors to choose from Yes MCR caters for late night ravers to pre-party pre-drinkers.
The dance-heavy line up until New Year includes names like DJ Paulette, Gilles Peterson & Paul Woolford. And for those who prefer gigs, there are loads of artists to choose from Wargirl to Warmduscher and Jamie Isaac to Curtis Harding.
You’d think an events space spread over four floors would struggle to know what it wants to be. This was my assumption when I entered. In an attempt to please everyone it inadvertently pleases no one.
I’m glad to report that this isn’t the case. The building feels like a well-formed whole. It has an easy layout to get to grips with and although a pokey building it didn’t feel busy (and it was busy).
A perfect place to grab a pint and a slice of pizza before heading elsewhere but with so much late night entertainment happening in the building why would you want too.
A floor by floor breakdown
I felt the best way to review the new space was floor by floor. I arrived early on Friday evening, so, sadly, I could only review two floors. But these two floors proved enough.
As I walked in the scenes and smells were reminiscent of PLY and Rudy’s with the added bonus of a DJ booth Hanging plants, bleached wood and a lot of tiles. Mustard yellow chairs occupy the alcove at the front as you enter. Greenery is a key theme throughout the building and it juxtaposes well with the exposed breeze blocks, overhead piping, and cast iron staircases.
Beers were reasonably priced and pizza by the slice is always a welcome addition to any bar. Musically, the ground floor planted its feet firmly in the P-funk & disco camp. The music will obviously depend on the event and DJ in future but as a welcome to the building it didn’t put a foot wrong.
The back stairwell to the top floor is lit with projections and is a great segue up to the roof terrace.
The buildings literal crowning achievement. The covered area of the top floor is a verdant garden of hanging plants. There isn’t a DJ up hear but hopefully, that will change by summer. Watching the trains pass by whilst listening to some Balearic beats on a hot summer day would be heaven.
Half the roof is covered with French door all along the edge of the courtyard. You never truly feel your inside. With a bar up here too it seems Yes MCR is determined to keep your drink full, which is never a bad thing.
I drank my beer in the rain, refusing to let the inclement weather spoil an otherwise excellent space. Once I’d drank my fill I headed back down to the ground floor to make tracks.
The venue, even more, busier than when I arrived. With impromptu haircut taking place on the dance floor. The carefree fun of the entire proceedings is something I’m sure they’ll capture and run with.
Manchester Nightclubs: Yes MCR concluding thoughts
A welcome breath of fresh air into Manchester’s clubbing landscape. With four floors of good food, booze and music there’s no reason not to go down and check it out.
