Advert
Swithin's
1st January 1982

Advert from Swithin's Gay Disco and Restaurant 1982, taken from The Mancunian Gay magazine.

Swithin's was frequented mainly by women.

Writer (City Fun), record label owner (Catcall Records) and feminist agitator Liz Naylor said of Swithin's:

"It was an absolute dump, in a basement by the side of Thomas st carpark. The only way they could get a license was to serve 'food', so at around midnight some fat bloke in a vest used to appear with plates if sausage and chips for the laydeez. The dj was appalling, the clientele were generally North Manchester/ Moston posties who frequented the Union. Of course I absolutely LOVED it and was a member - think you had to be? The membership comprised if a cheap imitation leather key fob with 'have a gay day' printed on it. Pure C-L-A-S-S don't come around too often."

Image courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information & Archives. You can make an appointment to see this collection by emailing: archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk

Uploaded as part of Manchester Pride’s OUT! heritage project.