Recommends – “New Manly Nights” Manbar ~ “Genre” & “Babylon” – Sunday 9th & Thursday 13th February – News Nibbles

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Relative new kid in old shoes now sparkling on the Soho scene block, Manbar, having gone through some managerial changes, is revamping its weekly line up to include two new nights, we nibbling into the detail in each before giving a short shout to Wednesday wonder “Record Box”.

 

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Manbar - Image 1For those who have trodden the Soho social scene circuit for as many moons as we have, you will be familiar with the venue on Charing Cross Road, formerly known as CXR79 (as well as other derivatives), one whose reputation preceded itself, a place where all sorts of saucy & sexy shenanigans would take place, somewhere very much for the man on the pull, if you get our drift, while with Westminster council keen to smarten the seedy Soho image extending to CXR’s reaches, it was only a matter of time before a clean-up act was required. And so enter Manbar, a re-vamp & refurbishment, an improvement in ambiance & atmosphere along with some high profile scene faces D.J.’s and the like broadening & boosting the appeal of this one time tardy & sordid staging post, a series of weekly parties raising the profile, the likes of “Revival”, “Hombre” & “Champions” proving particularly popular. Indeed, in the hands of owner Chris Amos (also known for the world famous “Gay Buddy” London guide), Manbar has taken significant strides and currently hosts the pre-party for awesome afterhours club beyond, each Saturday night, while with scene star names in the frames that include Brent Nicholls, Paul Heron, Hifi Sean, Johnny Hooley & Kurt Hoffman, this man-size meeting spot in Soho has gained considerable kudos & credentials.

 

Manbar - Sunday Movie Banner

 

PhilomenaSo, having propelled the place in our press release posting back in January, we thought we would hone in on two new happenings worthy of our accolade attention, the first being this coming weekend when “Genre” launches, The London Gay Film Club taking over Manbar with a Sunday evening movie-inspired event that will bring the capital’s film lovers together each week. Indeed, with cinema audience figures on the rise & rise, this new night makes the most of this popular pastime and tries to re-create the atmosphere with the night kicking off from 5 p.m. with a series of short films & trailers to get you in the feature film mood, the launch this Sunday (9th Feb) seeing the phenomenal “Philomena” screening from 8 p.m., Judi Dench’s Oscar nominated performance one you simply have to see (or see again), while with free entry & free popcorn, you couldn’t ask for much more. Add to that cheap £2.80 drink deals all day on pints of Foster’s & Strongbow, house spirits + mixers & Manbar on a Sunday represents exceptional value for money, more details on this launch night out on the events page at https://facebook.com/events/620734374642977/, while other film feature highlights coming up in February include Rush & Captain Phillips.

 

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Paul HeronTo our other focused new night and it launches next Thursday “13th Feb), when “Babylon” arrives in town to shake up Soho in what Chris describes as an event “…inspired by the Scissors Sisters euphoric anthem Invisible Light…” he adding of Babylon “…it will transport the party children to opiate Utopia through excess of lasers, strobe lights, mist and jazzy deep house sounds to awaken your senses in a night of merriment and wonder…” And given the incredible line-up of D.J.’s we can see that it will well & truly stir the senses & prick up the ears, international playboy D.J. Paul Heron landing on London for the launch, while a rotational team of stars also includes D’Johnny, Hifi Sean, Zach Burns & Lee Harris. But there as more, as weekly guest burlesque performers will feature at Babylon with jaw dropping midnight performances, extending to fire dancers, aerialists, contortionists, stilt walkers & magicians, Mr Amos aiming high with this new night, he very much looking to re-raise the Soho soiree profile, not least with “Gigolo” & “Revival” having disappeared, Babylon one that is assured to attract plenty of attention. Hosted by one of the East End’s best, Ursula Snakes & the untamed Raul Pony, expect excess & wonders with plenty of delightful deep house music thrown in for good measure, Chris asking us to “…get your camera phone ready for those wow moments…” and there are likely to be many, more details on this new night out at https://facebook.com/events/1422078771363655/, while for more details on Manbar, head to  https://facebook.com/manbarsoho.

 

Manbar - Record Box Banner

 

Now we just have time to squeeze in a Short Shout for Wednesday wonder “Record Box” which, since its launch just a few weeks ago has gone from strength to strength, resident D.J. Hifi Sean literally diving into his record box of tricks & spinning sounds ranging from Indie, Britpop, Electro, Disco, Northern Soul, Rock n Roll, New wave and then some, hostess Glendora pimping up proceedings in her inimitable style, a night definitely worth a visit, are our other two featured here, we sure to be heading Manbar’s way very so, as you should do too. (DISCO MATT)

 

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About discomatt

The History........................................................Created in 2008 after a short period of blogging under his real name, the pseudonym, “Disco Matt”, was born on the back of a reputation for being London’s original party boy having partied and clubbed across the London gay scene since in mid 1990’s.........................................................Through his series of blogs via individual blogging pages which soon morphed into a full blown website (http://discomatt.com), Disco Matt established himself as an independent journalist come columnist who quickly gained a reputation for supporting & promoting one of the world’s most prolific clubbing scenes. He previewed, reviewed & recommended London gay clubs, as well as the diverse gay/metrosexual London club/bar culture, linking to & reviewing the scene top D.J.’s and generally covering the gay scene including international gay events....................................................Regularly reporting on the top events across the scene, Disco Matt’s reviews, over the years, developed a strong following, not just by clubbers, D.J’s, promoters, music producers & scene faces, but people far and wide that were looking for an insight to the incredible scene that was London. He also previewed upcoming events that signalled, either a major change or update of existing clubs, new ventures on the gAylist/metrosexual scene, or where he considered events that deserved more comprehensive coverage to that provided in other posts.............................................However, having pretty much reached the top of his game in his chosen specific field, due to a number of personal predicaments, challenges & changes in his life priorities, Disco Matt parked his writing and operation in February 2014. While the burning desire to continue remained, what this much needed period of inactivity did provide was the time & space to re-think & re-focus his activities on a broader spectrum of media and entertainment............................................................So, following this long two year lay-off, he built up the foundations for this diversification into the areas of film, theatre, radio & television where his reviewing, recommending & reporting was to be replicated & resurrected, also pointing his promotions through more visuals & video's linked to all these areas along with his core activities and passions ................................................................................The Present....................................After another (shorter) period of lay-off from mid 2016, a life changing event reignited his passion and early into 2017, Disco Matt has delivered on his promise for a new, more modern look to his website, shedding the old & tired skin in favour of something far more in keeping with the times and with his blogging roots. And he has waived a fond farewell to his clubbing days, this having also been ditched from his site & activity, rather now just focussing on the genres of film, theatre, radio, television, video and of course, music, in so doing, aiming to broaden his appeal to a much wider audience interested in the latest most cutting edge areas of media & entertainment.............................................................................His aim is to be highly regarded across the industry for his writing in these fields and ultimately become a full time critic in film &/or theatre.