A Safety Guide For A Night Out In Manchester
Analysing Popular Night Clubs In Manchester To Create A Safety Guide Introduction: Why?
Manchester’s nightlife has always held a special place in the hearts of its residents and visitors alike, as it thrives on the legacy of the iconic music scene, cultural diversity, and a vibrant social atmosphere. However, recent concerns have cast a shadow over its once-celebrated reputation. The alarming rise in drink-spiking incidents has raised serious safety concerns, particularly for young students who frequent the city’s bars and clubs looking to blow some steam off. These sinister acts directly threaten the well-being and security of those enjoying the night out, eroding the sense of freedom and safety that nightlife should provide.
Incidents of spiking have surged in recent years, with Greater Manchester alone reporting over 900 cases in the past five years, constituting nearly 40% of all such incidents nationwide. Manchester experienced a sharp 151% increase in spiking cases in just one month, soaring from 57 reports in September to a troubling 144 cases in October 2021.
Sadly, this concerning trend has cast a shadow over the once-thriving clubbing scene, transforming it from a place of enjoyment into an environment associated with fear and insecurity. As a current student in Manchester, I have had firsthand conversations with my peers and fellow students who now find themselves hesitating before going on a night out. In light of these challenges, my objective is to shift this negative perception by offering guidance to students on how to partake in a night out that is not only entertaining but also safe and secure.
One in ten British women say that they have had their drink spiked
I have personally had a drink spiked
Someone in my family has had a drink spiked
A friend of mine has had a drink spiked
Someone else I know has had a drink spiked
Total who have had their drink spiked or someone who has
No one I know has had a drink spiked
There were more spiking reports from busy bars and nightclubs that generally attract younger customers (age 18-24) and most reported incidents are from females.
Methodology: How?
The aim of this initiative is to spread awareness to increase safety by offering guidance for a safe and enjoyable clubbing experience in Manchester through a guide map. It is important to emphasise that the intention is not to deter individuals from enjoying their nights out by instilling fear. Instead, the aim is to encourage people to embrace the vibrant clubbing scene in Manchester while being well-informed and vigilant, ultimately enhancing their overall enjoyment and peace of mind. The map will primarily focus on women’s safety as women statistically face a far greater risk. However, the map is for everyone to use.
For this, I will be analysing and comparing the most popular clubs in Manchester, especially for students. I will be looking into safety factors such as location, proximity to a bus stop, crowd type, and previous incidents that have occurred in and around these clubs. I will also be comparing the fun factors such as music type and drink prices to encourage people to go out. I have gathered the data by visiting the clubs, asking friends and other students on campus, researching and through personal experience.
Key:
Club Info Safety Factors
Timings
Average Ticket Prices
Average Drink Prices
Music Type
Crowd Type
Proximity To Bus Stop
Proximity To Student Halls
Proximity To A&E
Previous Case of Spiking
Previous Case of Sexual Assault
Most Popular Clubs In Manchester
Especially For Students...
CARGO
Cargo is situated in Printworks, in the bustling city centre, but the area can be quiet and empty after 9 PM. It's possible to encounter individuals under the influence on the street after 2 a.m
ARK
Ark is located in the Deansgate Locks and has gained a terrible reputation due to unfortunate events such as rape and spiking in the club. This has led to multiple protests. The bouncers are also very rough and ill-behaved.
12:00 PM - 4:30 AM (Mon - Sun)
£2.00 - £18.00
£1.50 - £12.00
CLub Classics, R&B, & Pop
Mixed (Students + Older Men)
10 min walk - Picaddily Gardens
22 min walk - Unite Students
22 min bus/ 43 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
No known case of sexual assault
112-118 Princess St, M1 7EN
Factory is one of the most loved clubs by students in Manchester due to its central location, cheap drinks and great music. It’s mostly very safe. However, there was an incident where the bouncers attacked two men outside.
LOLA LO
5:00 PM - 4:00 AM (Fri - Sun)
£3.00 - £6.00
£1.00 - £5.00
Disco, Electronica, & Pop
Adults (Age 18 - 35)
9 min walk - Oxford Rd. Station
6 min walk - Vita First Street
28 min bus/ 34 walk to A&E
Yes, 3 women were spiked, 2021
Yes, a 18 year old girl was raped
Lola Lo is located next to Ark and Revolution in the Deansgate Locks. It has great drinks but usually caters to the working class and very few students. Sadly, a 17-year-old was raped in the club by a 24-year-old man.
Unit 5-6, The Printworks, M4 2BS
3A, 5 Whitworth St W, M1 5LH
Arches 9-10, Deansgate Locks, M1 5LH
10:30 PM - 4:00 AM (Mon - Sat)
Free - £6.00
£1.00 - £5.00
Indie, Electronica, Rock, & DnB
Mainly Students
4 min walk - Oxford Rd. Station
3 min walk - Vita Student Living
7 min bus/ 21 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
No known case of sexual assault
IMPOSSIBLE
36 Peter St, M2 5QR
Impossible is located in central Manchester on Peter Street. Along with being a club, it’s also a bar, restaurant and theatre. The staff is great. The only downside is that it can be expensive.
REVOLUTION
12:00 PM - 4:00 AM (Fri & Sat)
£4.00 - £18.00
£3.00 - £7.50
CLub Classics, Techno, & Pop
Mixed (Age 18 - 35)
7 min walk - MCR Town Hall
16 min walk - Vita Student Living
22 min bus/ 43 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
No known case of sexual assault
12:00 PM - 3:00 AM (Fri - Sun)
£3.00 - £12.00
£4.10 - £9.45
Club Classics
Mainly Working Prof. (25 - 35)
9 min walk - Oxford Rd. Station
6 min walk - Vita First Street
28 min bus/ 34 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
Yes, a 17 year old girl was raped
Although, still very popular, multiple incidents involving drink and needle spiking of women in Revolution have occurred. This has led to protests across the city. It has been safe in recent times but the crowd of older men makes it feel more unsafe.
12:00 PM - 4:00 AM (Fri & Sat)
£4.00 - £18.00
£3.00 - £7.50
CLub Classics, Techno, & Pop
Mixed (Age 18 - 35)
7 min walk - MCR Town Hall
16 min walk - Vita Student Living
22 min bus/ 43 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
No known case of sexual assault
Arch 7, Deansgate Locks, M1 5LH
Most Popular Clubs In Manchester
Especially For Students...
42S
42s is Manchester’s favourite Indie Nightclub, playing genres such as Indie, Rock n Roll, 60s, 70s, 80s, Pop, Funk and Soul. The place is filled with students and young professionals, as it offers cheap drinks!
10:30 PM - 3:00 AM (Tue - Sat)
£1.00 - £5.00
£1.00 - £5.00
Indie, Rock, 60s, 70s, 80s & Pop
Mainly Students
7 min walk -St Mary’s Parsonage
14 min walk - Unite Students
20 min bus/ 37 walk to A&E
Yes, a 19 year old collapsed
No known case of sexual assault
GAY VILLAGE WAREHOUSE PROJECT YES
Although it may appear as a fun & and vibrant place filled with multiple bars and clubs, Gay Village has had multiple cases of drink spiking and sexual assault. Bloom Club was closed after a girl was raped by a 14-year-old inside.
5:00 PM - 4:00 AM (Fri - Sun)
Free - £30.00
£4.00 - £18.00
Disco, Pop, Gay Pop & Jazz
Adults (Age 18 - 35)
4 min walk - Hart Street
4 min walk - Weston Hall
12 min bus/ 264 walk to A&E
Yes, multiple spiking incidents
Yes, a girl was raped by a 14 y/o
The Warehouse Project located in the Mayfield Depot offers a huge floor space for multiple events from September through to the New Year. It is especially popular amongst students. YES has become extremely popular amongst students located adjacent to MMU. It hosts club nights in the Pink Room in the basement and a rooftop terrace. Along with great music, the venue offers great food and drinks at a cheap price
2 Bootle St, M2 5GU
Gay Village, Manchester
Mayfield Train Station, The Depot, M1 2QF
38 Charles St, M1 7DB
Depends on event
Depends on event (£30 - £80)
£8.00 - £24.00
Concerts, Rock, & Pop
Mainly Students
2 min walk - Piccadilly Station
2 min walk - Unite Student Pic.
17 min bus/ 26 walk to A&E
Yes, a woman was spiked
No known case of sexual assault
CHINA WHITE
244 Deansgate, M3 4BQ
The glitzy club is Asian-inspired with a Chinese lamp style. The club is popular amongst famous personalities and hosts a lot of private events. A 17-year-old claims to have been raped by Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy at a party.
HISTORY
Longworth St, M3 4BQ
Free - £20.00
£5.00 - £10.50
Commercial/Pop, Hip Hop, R&B
Mixed (Age 18 - 45)
12:00 PM - 4:00 AM (Thu - Sat)
£6.00 - £10.00
£2.95 - £5.75
Background music, Pop, R&B
Young crowd, students
2 min walk - Charles Street
4 min walk - Vita Stundent Living
9 min bus/ 22 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
No known case of sexual assault
History on Longworth Steet pulls in a huge crowd every Saturday. The club is decorated with neons and tunnels with rap lyrics on the walls. The club is safe, although there was one case where a doorman was stabbed by two men.
7 min walk -St Mary’s Parsonage
16 min walk - Vita Student Living
21 min bus/ 37 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
Yes, a 17 y/o was raped twice
11:00 PM - 3:30 AM (Fri - Sun) 11:00 PM - 4:00 AM (Tue, Fri, Sat)
Free- £9.00
£2.50 - £8.50
R&B, Hip Hop, UK & Afrobeats
Young crowd, students
9 min walk -St Mary’s Parsonage
16 min walk - Unite Student
22 min bus/ 39 walk to A&E
No known case of spiking
No known case of sexual assault
Most Popular Clubs In Manchester
Illustrated Map Of Clubs In Manchester
References
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Gregson, L. (2022). Man knocked unconscious by gang in brutal attack outside Printworks. [online] Manchester Evening News. Available at: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manknockedunconiousvicious-gang-24863401 [Accessed 9 Aug Sep. 2023].
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Confidentials. (n.d.). Manchester has highest rate of needle spiking in UK, report finds. [online] Available at:https://confidentials.com/manchester/manchester-has-highest-rate-ofneedle-spiking-in-uk.
ITV News. (2022). Drink spiking on the rise in Greater Manchester. [online] Available at: https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2022-04-26/drink-spiking-on-the-rise-in-greatermanchester. schoolofjournalism.shorthandstories.com. (n.d.). A night out in Manchester. [online] Available at: https://schoolofjournalism.shorthandstories.com/a-night-out-in-manchester/ Accessed 9 Aug. 2023].
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By - Soham Sengupta, Student at the Manchester School of Architecture