..down memory lane. Ah yes 5th avenue, a place I have frequented many times and have had many a good laugh. Trying to write a review on clubs like this can be hard, especially as sometimes good nights have been had in there for the simple reason that I have been in there with about 10, or so, like-minded people. (By like-minded, I mean people who have a broad taste in indeie music, like to drink cheap booze, and plumb the depths of humiliation in order to impress women). Also I can honestly say I have never been there entirely sober, so if this review seems likes a series of hazy recollections, do forgive me.
The music. The music is broadly "indie", but that shouldn't really put you off. Yes Oasis, the Stone Roses, Blur, The Charlatans etc, are played regularly, but the DJ doesn't try to diversify a bit. Anything from Northern Soul, Rave, Big Beat, to Ska, Punk, and 60s Classics are played. Anything really that is a bit left of centre. Yes there is an obvious slant towards Manchester bands, with even obscure Manc bands like Northside and the Mock Turtles getting played regularly. But then it is a club in Manchester and you should be happy to be receiving an education in musical taste. The only criticism that can be levelled is that if you go regularly you will find a lot of songs being played that you heard the previos time you went. But hey you've always wanted to learn the words for "Sally Cinnamon", haven't you?
The booze. Depending on what night you go, 5th avenue can be spectacularly cheap. The cheapest night is Thursday, where the most expensive drink is £1, and most bottles are 50p. This makes Thursday the most popular and lockouts by 12pm are common. Friday is bit more expensive, with the cheapest drinks being £1. Saturday is the most expensive night, understandably really, but the prices still compare favourably with most other places in Manchester. Finally there is "Monday Madness", and madness is exactly what it is to have a night on monday, considering it hardly ever gets that busy. Still if its booze you want, 5th avenue is one of the few clubs in Manchester where its possible to drink a lot without having to take out a second mortgage.
The Venue. Functional is how 5th Avenue is best described. It is a place that merely facilitates drinking and dancing. There is only one room, though it does have an upstairs bit, and it won't win any any architecture prizes. The floor is covered in beer and doubtless you new pair of white trainers will come out black at the end of the night. "Style" is not really a word in the 5th Avenue vocabulary, but then again neither is "pretension", a welcome change if you've ever been out in indie places in Lo*d*n.
The People. The people in 5th avenue are a mixed bag, from students to scallies to oldies to indie music officiandos. One of the cast of Hollyoaks was spotted once, and to be fair things can sometimes get a bit hairy, especially on Thursday nights when the world and his wife seem to want to sample 50p beers. In general though people want to have a good time and although girls are outnumbered by boys it can vary greatly. Most people go simply to listen to music that isn't endless 70s/80s/90s cheese.
Overall. 5th Avenue is the most popular indie venue in Manchester, and one of the cheapest clubs in Manchester. It is unfussy, unpretentious and exists purely as a venue for drinking and dancing. Don't go if your ideal night out consists of drinking Chardonnay and discussing Proust and Jackson Pollock.
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Advantages: cheap throughout the week, good music, busy but not too busy, foam parties, friendly staff Disadvantages: glass bottles on floor, expensive at weekend, samey music if go too often
indie.chick14 27.06.2009 ·
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Review of 5th Avenue
Advantages: cheap beer, awesome music, great nostalgic atmosphere Disadvantages: quite dark and dingy, but hey, that's what indie clubs are meant to be like!
blondey1979 30.06.2004 (30.06.2004)
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Review of 5th Avenue
Oct 8th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
