Retro Bar and club has also been around for years, currently in its present guise and previously as the Swinging Sporran. With a club area downstairs, which still regularly hosts live music and DJ nights, it's very popular with the local incumbent student crowd. Upstairs is a little strange in that it's quite a wide open sort of pub, with the feeling that all eyes are on you as you walk through the door. This soon disappears though and it's reasonably welcoming. There is a pool table in the corner as well, which is a nice touch. As for real ale, not a chance, which is a shame really, but I suppose it's just not that popular with your average student type, who prefers tasteless fizzy lager or alcopops to a real pint.
As the Swinging Sporran the pub is seen here in 1972 looking jaded, while a year later it has undergone a modest improvement as seen in 1973. The club beneath the Swinging Sporran held 'Naked Under Leather' nights in the '90s run by a couple of students called Tom and Ed or the Dust Brothers. These two chaps later went on to gain fame and riches as the Chemical Brothers.
Website: www.retrobarmanchester.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/retrobar
