Friday the 13th! is that unlucky?
Superstition says so but what the hell, lets go somewhere new, do something new, experience something new on this of all superstitious days.
I’d bought tickets to Qwerk as a good friend had said it’s a great night out but first, I decided to have a walk around the village and stick my head around the doors at some of the bars I’ve not been in.
I’d driven down as the trains, WTF is wrong with this country. Last time I checked Britain wasn’t some third world shit hole in the arse end of nowhere so why can’t we have a public transport system which works at least some of the time.
I’d walked down to the train station to catch the 9:20 train and I’m stood waiting on the station and one of the station staff wonders over and says “Hiya Love, are you hoping to catch the train into Manchester”
Hoping to catch, did you just say, hoping to catch?
“Yes, the trains have been cancelled and the next one won’t be for over an hour”
Shit! Okay need a refund and you can stick your train service up your arses!
I end up getting a refund and I walk back home via my local bar.
I walk into the Snow goose to have a word with a few of the staff. They’ve been great to me over the past few months.
I walk in and the person I want to see has finished work about 10 minutes before I got there but one of the other members of staff looks blown away when she sees me.
I make my excuses and totter off home to get my car.
50 minutes later I’m in central Manchester and park up in the Village as my feet are already bloody aching as I’ve walked about a mile already and I’m wearing there which are comfy at present.
I’ve come down to the village for Qwerk but its only 10:45 so I head round to Canal street and into one of the regular bars I visit. On Bar.
As soon as I walk through the door Lee Star comes over to me and gives me the “Oh darling you look amazing” Thanks Duck, So do you. <kiss> For those that know Lee Star is the Queen of the early part at On Bar and is so approachable and has always been happy to talk to me when I’ve been in there. Beware she is the inuendo queen and I always struggle to keep up with the inuendo (usually because I’m still laughing at the last inuendo as the next one comes along) and double entendras.
I spend about three quarters of an hour in on bar and get bought a drink by a young man in his early 20’s who comes and sits next to me and introduces himself (Aaron) with what I thought was the weirdest chat up line ever. “You look like my mum; can I have a hug. She died recently and I miss her”
At first, I was like “Fuck off” that’s a seriously messed up chat up line but no. He gets his phone out and starts showing me pictures of his mum and, no shit I do look like her!!!
I give him a hug and he starts to cry! Okay I’m freaked out, but I hold him for a few minutes.
He jumps up, apologises and disappears I’m not sure if that’s out of sadness, happiness or whether he’s embarrassed.
He returns a few minutes later with two drinks. One for me and one for himself. We sit and chat for about 20 minutes. He misses his mum dreadfully and he has another little cry.
I leave On Bar and walk up Canal street to Bar Pop. I absolutely love the girls who work outside but outside is no place to be tonight as its cold. I have a quick chat to the 7 ft tall goddesses outside for a few minutes before I go in as I don’t know how but one of them remembers my name even though I’ve only told her once. I can’t remember people’s names even after they’ve told me a dozen times.
The music is great inside Bar Pop and I have a little boogie and a drink.
Next, I wonder up Canal street and into Churchills. Not for me. The atmosphere is not to my liking. Too many drunks for me I’m afraid. Next!
Next is Bar Kiki. I’ve been in a few times and I do like the venue and the music but alas tonight its pretty quiet so again, Next! Also the heels I’ve got on do not want to interface with the floor in their and it looks like I’m pissed as I walk across the floor as I can’t get any traction.
I next totter round to New York, New York and meet up with a few friends who are also dressed to impress. Its almost impossible to hold a conversation though tonight as the music in the lounge part of the bar is so fucking loud and it was roasting in here. Even the bar man couldn’t hear me when I ordered, either that or he thought I wanted something harder (behave) than a coffee! Anne even asked him to turn it down a but alas he didn’t so after a single drink we left and went back to On Bar and sat upstairs on the terrace outside. At least we can sit in relative quiet and Aaron joins us but he’s quite drunk now and a bit giddy but he holds my hand while we sit and chat. I’m glad of the attention if truth be told.
Its knocking on a bit now, after the witching hour and we wonder round to Sub 101 for the Qwerk evening.
For those who don’t know Qwerk is located in Sub 101 on 101 Princess St in Manchester. M1 6DD if you want to look it up on a Map and is located underground.
I arrive at about 12:30 and descend down to the cashiers point and cloakroom and then down again into the basement of 101 Princess street.
My word its fucking dark in here, almost foreboding with dark wall and dark floor. I can see its been made like this to make the bar area and the dance floor more inviting. I am sure there are those who love the dark décor but as soon as I’ve got a drink I’m away to find lighter pastures. I’m not a fan of dark places unless their also wet and warm!
The music is good and there are already people on the dance floor. This is a good sign as some of the clubs in the village don’t get going until maybe 2-3am but there is already a dozen people dancing.
The DJ is located about 2 foot above the dance floor and the DJ is obviously having it large, a lady who I later find out is called Fay. She’s dancing away as much as those on the dance floor. I’d describe the music as bouncy, but I’ll be honest its not my type of music and it’s a bit slow. However, I’m going out on Saturday to a Psytrance night and I know the music will be better so I’m not to bothered and tap my feet along with the beat.
I’m sat beside the dance floor, playing with my phone when a lady approaches and introduces herself as Vicky. “Hi Vicky, I’m Mikki”
We sit and chat for a while and she passes comment on how lovely I look and how she likes my dress and loves my shoes. “Aren’t they uncomfortable?” A bit but I’ve worn worse. “I can’t wear heels anymore as I’ve got a bad leg” Bad leg or not my dear you were cutting shapes with the best of them on the dance floor.
Small talk dispensed she asks me to dance and moments later we’re on the dance floor.
Within about 20 minutes I’m feeling the pain in my feet so its off with the heels and stockinged feet meet cold dance floor. Absolute bliss.
I dance for a few hours and speak to loads of people, many dressed in Christmas clothing. Loved the group of men who came in all dressed as elves with sparkly beards and little pork pie hats with Christmas light belts. They were a laugh and I ended up dancing with them for quite a while.
Vicky seems to know everyone and introduces me to many people. Too much for my aged brain and I can’t remember everyone’s name.
I meet Kelvin Andrews and his Missus who was doing the guest DJ set that night. Lovely, lovely, people and I ended up talking to Flo for a good hour about life, the universe and everything.
Kelvin’s set is ace, and I have a dance until my feet hurt again.
The rest of the evening is great, and I ended up going home with a young lady.
Glad I drove down now otherwise I’d have been screwed getting home!
Great night.
