After reading another review of Fab cafe, I thought the oppinion of one of the "weirdos" should have their say.
The cafe is located on Portland Street in Central Manchester and 5 minutes away from the bus station in Picadilly Gardens. The big sign outside gives it's location away, as do the big silver retro doors and the kitsch 60's themes blasting out.
Depending on when you go depends on the kind of night. My personal favourite would always be on a Sunday when they play a cult movie on all the tv screens and it is open usually until about 12. It's great to go in about 7, then sample their bizarre cuisine. If you were born in the 60's, you'd be at home with the Vesta meals, but Yorkshire pud, mash, sausages and gravy goes down great with a pint! You can top that off with rice pudding and jam, or a fab ice lolly. To get this would cost you less than £3 for both! Perfect for us students!
If you go any other night, entrance is free. Midweek plays a mix of indie and well known theme tunes. Also watch out for Dawn on a Monday night who played Tracey Barlow in Coronation Street. Saturdays are a great pre-night warm up. Turn up early as the queues can get quite long and it gets quite a crush once you're inside. On the bright side, the bar is open until 2 Thursday - Saturday.
Once you get in, you're eyes take a while to adjust to the gloom, and you'll trip over a few of the badly arranged stools. You notice a strange swamp beast next to you and one of the Tunderbirds flying low over the bar. The place is decorated with cult films and programme posters, most of which are signed. Anything and everything seemingly sci-fi has its own place in the decor (including Kosh from Babylon 5).
This place is a must for sci-fi geeks as the place is so unassuming and people inside are not judgemental. Unless you go on a Saturday. Then the mix of Goth, indie and the Rockport clan can sometimes feel a little uneasy. If you just want somewhere to crash, wearing whatever you're comfy in, just try the place. Don't assume it's going to be the Ritz, because it certainly isn't. You'll soon forget that you're in a themed bar and relax into the chilled atmosphere.
Oh and another great thing about the place is the happy hour monday to friday from 5 til 7, where all pints are £1. Just the time to go in for dinner... Otherwise, the beer is reasonably expensive for a student type place at £2.50 a pint. The staff are very friendly and usually up for a laugh, but there never seem to be enough of them there to serve you!
In conclusion, if you were a child of the 80's you will love the blast from the past the place gives you. Enjoy such movies as "Edward Scissorhands" and "Godzilla", with cartoons such as "The Magic Roundabout", "Button Moon" and "Raggy Doll's". Sit back, enjoy the kitsch and have a good night out.
And the ladies' toilets aren't that bad, I have seen much worse...
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