Hacienda

The Hacienda is a Manchester legend. This famous nightclub opened in 1982 and in its early years was mainly a live music venue. The venture was financed by Factory Records and New Order and events were initially low key affairs, although there were notable exceptions including Madonna’s first UK appearance.

1986 saw a shift in focus from bands to DJs and shortly after the venue became the first in the UK to play house music. By 1988, riding the wave of rave culture and ecstasy, the club had become famous not only in Manchester but throughout the world.

In 1989 Claire Leighton collapsed at the club and later died. It was the UK’s first well-publicised ecstasy death and the first sign of the Hacienda’s impending doom. Gang warfare and widespread drug dealing followed. The club closed in 1997 and is now the site of overpriced apartments bearing the same name.

Video: Strings of Life: A Hacienda Classic

Techno guru Derrick May (aka Rhythim is Rhythim) discusses Strings of Life; a Hacienda classic.

By Figfilm

Reviews / Comments / Additional Information

Dene
We used to travel from Leeds every Friday (Nude) night. This club brought people together! Why did the authorities want to stop that? Stiffs of the day also used to slag off the Hacienda (now those fools are eating their words). I am proud to be from the North and house music forged my life. Amazing!
Hacienda89
The first night of Void (Feb 89?) was absolutely mental - indoor fireworks, white sheets blocking the balconies out, the two dancers on the podiums upstairs (one was an absolute stunner and great dancer but the other was just trying to copy her - can't remember their names) .Then after the fireworks there was (IIRC) an extract played of Marlon Brando reading the Hollow Men from the bit at the end of Apocalypse Now.
Bexley - you're probably right when everything started going mainstream in 1990 but before that, no club could (or in my opinion ever will) come near to it.
andy
There should definitely be a new Hacienda. I remember watching The Enemy in Manchester last year at the Apollo and there was a DJ doing an Hacienda set before the Enemy came on. The crowd was going wild.
jay
I remember the very first time I walked into the Hacienda and it was so euphoric. The place was bouncing and the buzz was amazing. And I remember how gutted I felt once the last tune had been played out. Gutted! How do you replace that? You can't!
Josh Sweeney
If only the Hacienda was still going. I can't believe its been replaced by a block of fancy flats; that stole its name! I'm 18, so was never old enough to experience the Hacienda itself. Need to keep the scene alive though. I'm gutted its gone.
ste phillips
Void nights at the Hacienda were absolute classics. I'll never forget what the Hacienda meant to me. Pickering was a legend. I miss it all. I'm 38 now and won't ever have those nights again with me, Nicky Lowe and all the mates we made. Seeing Derrick May live and meeting him. Thanks Tony and Hooky for the ride. RIP Tony. You're surely missed.
Baz
"Void" nights on a Wednesday were great and Thursday nights were 'Indie Infused'. I loved it and would be there every week. The rest of the time I was at Legends. Konspiracy and Thunderdome were not the same.
carl platt
88 to 91 Nude Night. The best times of my life. It was such an anti climax when that period finished. It was hard to adjust and still is in a way. But thanks Hacienda.
healey
I'm only 15 and obviously never experienced the hacienda but I'm completely obsessed with that era and Manchester needs something spontaneous just like the hacienda to bring it back. I wish I had experienced it!
sean mc.
The night VOID was just amazing. Those where the days. Walking past the sides of the club to get in with the walls bouncing. Thank you for giving me some of my best nights ever!
Brittman
I agree this was great club but it's the legend that makes it so interesting and that's the way Tony wanted it. To try and reinvent it would be a futile exercise as the Hacienda was only special because of all the key players involved (most of which are on longer with us) and no one tried to invent this club in the first place it just kinda happened. Think of the best weekends you ever had i'll bet they weren't planned they just happen. In my opinion that's the Hacienda on a much grander scale! Plus half of it is i'm afraid to say you just missing your youth. Never mind party on!
Bexley Durden
The Hacienda was for posuers. The real Manchester clubbers club was Konspiracy. There, I said it. Discuss.
Dave Haq
So proud to have been a member of the Hacienda in its early days.
mrtwiggus
The real problem was the continual war with the gangs that messed it all up. Why couldn't it of been a gathering of fun e taking with no guns and stuff. Man those days where the best until folk got greedy and the police become oppressive against happy pills.
More folk have died from alcohol than E, even more so! More people have died from eating nuts which they are allergic to.
So cheers to the government and chief of police for destroying a happy club. I go out now and clubs which are of that culture have no problems and if they do it's solely drink fuelled fighting not over drugs.
paul.m
They should open a new Hacienda. Some things should never die.
Ant B
Pop a pill get a bottle of Purdeys from the bar and climb up on the stage and 'RAVE ON' !! The best times have passed, FAC51 has gone, come on Manchester we want more fun.
carole
I loved the Hacienda in Manchester. It was the best club in the world. It was a shame that it closed down. We all piled to the Thunderdome one week but soon returned to the Hacienda and its great atmosphere.
Danny Pilling
Strings of Life has got to be one of the best tunes ever. Bring back the Hacienda!

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