By Neil Sowerby
COMMON, which set the template for successive Northern Quarter bars, is amazingly approaching its 10th birthday and preparing to celebrate.
The Edge Street bar opened its doors on December 20 2004, then quickly closed them again and went on holiday, reopening on January 7 2005, since when it has offered a constant stream of convivial activity against a boho backdrop.
Over the decade it has provided a loyal clientele cocktails, wine, decidedly home made tasty food, coffee and killer DJs as well as more than 30 exhibitions... and in recent times quality craft beer after owner Jonny Heyes’s conversion to cask, begetting both Chorlton’s The Beagle and The Port Street Beer House.
To celebrate those10 years of good times with good people Common has been throwing birthday parties throughout 2014, welcoming faces back from our past while also celebrating the future. This December the fun will culminate in a five-day extravaganza.
Wednesday, December 17 – The Common Knowledge 2014 Extra Special (364 days in the making) Xmas Quiz
Seasonally themed questions.7:30pm-11pm. Free.
Thursday. December 18 – Seasonal Making Sense
Stop Making Sense will be spinning records aplenty and there’ll be a special guest appearance from the Northern Quarter Boys Choir, singing Christmas songs to raise money for The Christie. 9pm-2am. Free.
Friday. December 19 – Space Jam presents 'Black Hole' with Sean Canty and John Powell-Jones
Slam dunkin' cosmic jams and heavy riffs in time and space plus special guest from the Haxan vaults, Sean Canty (Demdike Stare). 9pm-2am. Free.
Saturday, December 20 – Best Foot Forward
What better way to celebrate 10 years than inviting back Best Foot Forward, who are as much a part of Common's ancestry as Jonny's Veggie Chilli or a Rob Bailey print! Kev Maguire will be joined by the ghosts/guests of BFF past and present.
9pm-2am. Free.
Sunday, December 21 – Aficionado at Christmas with Menage A Trois (Live)
Manchester stalwarts host a special live performance from Menage A Trois : "an odd mix of pop and underground influences pervade their sound and influence their arrangements; the Bee Gees, 10cc, Doobie Brothers and even Joy Division can be heard whilst there are also subliminal nods to the oeuvre of pop protagonists Ariel Pink and Dean Blunt”. Accompanied by DJs Moonboots and Jason Boardman.
7pm-midnight. Free.
STOP PRESS: Common’s sibling, Port Street, usually only starts its week on Wednesday but for the festive season they are opening on a couple of Mondays and Boxing Day. Check their hours via this link.
