The Ritz has been keeping the mundane out of monday nights since Rage first yelled 'Be off with you*, I won't do what you tell me' * words to that effect, and probably before. The staple diet of every 'Rock/alternative' student in manchester, and those of us who come home for holidays and miss it like washing done for you and clean kitchens. The Ritz is 5 times bigger than manchester's other rather sad Goth hangout, Jilly's Rockworld and had marvellously cheap drinks, some bottles £1 or £1.50. It costs £2 to get in before 10.30, and you get a little card that gets you in for £1 for the next couple of months. The main ballroom plays a range of new Rock, old indy, older Rock, Hiphop, dance and the bouncy dancefloor keeps you dancing all night.The Dj's quite obnoxious with an 'it's my place i'll play what I like' attitude. There's a balcony upstairs for sitting and getting up to no-good, and a corridor downstairs leading to the toilets, cloakroom and other ends of the dancefloor for likewise dodgy behaviour.
Sadly the crowd these days all seem to be aged 15 to 18, apart from the student regulars, which made me feel old ( I'm only 19!) last time I was there, but at least it keeps the whippersnappers off the streets!
The Ritz still remains my favourite club in Manchester for a cheap laugh and an opportunity to dance as daftly as you like.