The Haçienda
The Haçienda was the Factory Records nightclub on Whitworth Street West that put Manchester at the centre of British music in the 1980s and 1990s. The club closed in 1997 and was demolished in 2002; apartments carrying its name now stand on the site.
Photos
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The club
The Haçienda opened on 21 May 1982 in a former yacht builder's shop and warehouse. It was run by Factory Records, with New Order and Tony Wilson among its directors, and carried the Factory catalogue number FAC 51. Ben Kelly designed the interior on Peter Saville's recommendation, and the name came from the Situationist slogan 'The Hacienda Must Be Built'.
Why it matters
Madonna and The Smiths played here, and the club helped launch Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, Oasis and the Chemical Brothers. It became the focal point of the Madchester and acid house years before financial trouble and crime led to its closure; the last club night was on 28 June 1997.
Visiting the site
There is no club to go into now. The building was demolished in 2002 and replaced by a residential block that licensed the Haçienda name, so this is a stop to look at from the street rather than visit inside. Fans often combine it with a walk past Factory's other landmarks, such as the former Dry bar on Oldham Street, and the Deansgate Locks bars are just around the corner.
Highlights
- Opened by Factory Records on 21 May 1982
- Factory catalogue number FAC 51
- Interior by designer Ben Kelly
- Closed 1997, demolished 2002; apartments now on site
Good to know
- The site is now private apartments; it can only be viewed from the street.
- Address: Whitworth Street West, by Deansgate Locks.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: en.wikipedia.org