This famous members-only club was founded in 1870 as the plaque at the easy-to-miss door on Queen Street off Deansgate reads (also instructing non-members to use the back door on Lloyd Street). As the name suggests the Press Club was the haunt, almost exclusively, of Manchester's newspaper workers and this was extended to include media workers such as the Granada TV and BBC staff as well, serving till at least 5am, 7 nights a week. It also was open to selected other professionals such as police, firemen and teachers (quite why such noble types would want to be drinking till 5am...). Although truth be told, on the one occasion I ended up in the Press Club, it was with police staff (it's not that hard to get in if you know, or claim to know, the right people). The tired old '70s decor and old-working men's club style drinks on offer were rather surprising, but is meant to be all part of its charm. As far as celebrities go, these days some of the Corrie cast apparently still frequent the place, but the more discerning stars surely head for the Circle Club. The Press Club was owned by Jack McCall then David Murphy in the 1960s and '70s. A stalwart of the club, barmaid, door lady and recent licensee, Joan Ross, died in December 2006 [1]. The Press Club is Manchester's last restrictive private members club, following the loss of the Green Door Club on Shudehill.
1. www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk.
Jack McAll had the press club on hardman street, he didn't move to queen street until 1990... his young friend Dave Murphy took over when Jack died in about 2005.
ReplyDeleteCorrect Dave took over in around 2002-2003 when Jack died.
DeleteCorrect Dave took over in around 2002-2003 when Jack died.
DeleteBefore Jack had it Glenn Stevens had it
ReplyDeletejack mccall never opened the manchester press club it was opened by david murphy in 1988 as the newly named press club jack mccall owed the hardman st club on hardman st off deangate glen stevens rented the property from a bussinesman called hymy marx who sold the property which olso housed strawberrys caberet club
ReplyDeletefurther to my last comment on the press club the hardman street was CPOd and the property was sold to NCP car park which you see to this day on glen stevens he also owned maxwells piano bar later to be the fantasy bar he also owend the original NEW YORK NEW YORK and brewsters night club london rd piccadilly
ReplyDeletejust to confirm the purchase of the press club jack macall had retired 72 yrs old and had a stake in the club given to him from his bussiness partner david murphy that the real story for his loyelty to his friend in the earlier days jack passed away in 2002 in crumpsall hospital with david next to him and was buried in broughton house at his request to David and David honored his request along with the st george flag
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