Legendary bar where students partied at The BOP and Spank Bank that disappeared overnight
08.04.2023 - 17:31
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Named after the hero of the Victorian novel the Manchester Man, countless former students will have fond, if slightly hazy, memories of one lost legendary night-spot.
Jabez Clegg on Portsmouth Street in Manchester was a mainstay of the student party scene for over 20-years. Opening in 1991, it sat directly opposite the student union and attracted huge crowds every weekend for gigs, comedy and club nights.
The likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Pete Doherty and Jack Whitehall all graced its stage over the years. Situated in the heart of Manchester's student community, it was a popular hangout for catching up with classmates over a beer or cocktails (Green Monster or Cheeky Vimto anyone?).
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Upstairs at Jabez Clegg, there was an eclectic array of club nights including the equally legendary student night, The BOP, following its move from Owens Park student village in Fallowfield. Other popular nights included Condemned, Totally Lost It, and the curiously named Spank Bank – described as an eclectic night of old school hip-hop, dance bangers and '90s classics.
But it wasn't just for club nights, its combination of cheap drinks, pool tables, wooden beams and deep booths made for an ideal place to meet fellow cash-strapped uni pals. One former Manchester student who spoke fondly about his experiences at Jabez Clegg was physicist and TV presenter, Professor Brian Cox.
He told The Tab in 2018: "Living in this city is brilliant. We used to go to Jabez Clegg, an amazing student night spot," adding: "It was a lovely little bar." That was until it suddenly vanished from