Twisted Wheel Club, Nightclub in Manchester, England
The Twisted Wheel Club was a nightclub in Manchester, England, that started as a blues and soul coffee bar and dance club. It later became known for playing rare soul music, with a layout that included a ground-floor snack bar and cellar rooms for dancing and live acts.
The Twisted Wheel opened in 1963 on Brazennose Street and moved to Whitworth Street in 1965, where it became a key venue for soul music. It closed in 1971 due to a bylaw limiting late opening hours, and the building was demolished in 2013.
The name Twisted Wheel comes from the back-lit iron wheels that decorated the painted brick walls of the Whitworth Street cellar. Today, the club's legacy lives on in soul music nights across Manchester, where DJs still play the rare records that defined its sound.
The original building on Whitworth Street no longer exists, so visitors should look for current events held under the same name at other venues in Manchester. Checking local listings before a trip is the best way to find a session, as the club has moved several times over the years.
The club had no alcohol licence, so it served only soft drinks and snacks, which helped create a focused atmosphere for dancing. Its all-night sessions ran from 11 pm on Saturday until 7:30 am on Sunday, attracting soul fans from across the country.
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