Manchester's Sankeys nightclub is reopening its doors after a three-year hiatus, marking a significant shift back to its hedonistic heyday – a time when music, dance, and human connection took center stage. No phones allowed means that for those who attended in the past, memories of sweat-drenched floors and electrifying beats will soon be relived.
Founder David Vincent's vision is to create an intimate atmosphere where patrons can indulge their senses without being distracted by social media. "The phones are the problem," he said, pointing out that attendees were once more concerned with dancing than documenting every moment on camera. To enforce this policy, stickers may be placed on cameras capturing footage from the dance floor.
Sankeys' reopening coincides with a challenging time for UK nightlife. The Night Time Industries Association reported nearly 800 late-night venues have closed in the past five years – a staggering 26.4% drop since March 2020. In response, other clubs like Amber's and FOLD are also adopting phone-free policies.
For Lee Spence, a promoter and resident DJ from 2002-2012, Sankeys' return is not about replicating its former glory but embracing the future of nightlife. "The world has changed," he said. "It's a different venue, but I do think that something new could be created." With plans to showcase fresh talent, Spence believes this might attract a younger crowd and inject some much-needed life into the scene.
Sankeys first emerged in 1994 as Sankeys Soap beneath the Beehive Mill. Initially hailed as the successor to the legendary Haçienda club, it became synonymous with groundbreaking electronic music – hosting acts such as Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers, and David Guetta. Despite a tumultuous past, including being sold to property developers, its legacy lives on.
Founder David Vincent's vision is to create an intimate atmosphere where patrons can indulge their senses without being distracted by social media. "The phones are the problem," he said, pointing out that attendees were once more concerned with dancing than documenting every moment on camera. To enforce this policy, stickers may be placed on cameras capturing footage from the dance floor.
Sankeys' reopening coincides with a challenging time for UK nightlife. The Night Time Industries Association reported nearly 800 late-night venues have closed in the past five years – a staggering 26.4% drop since March 2020. In response, other clubs like Amber's and FOLD are also adopting phone-free policies.
For Lee Spence, a promoter and resident DJ from 2002-2012, Sankeys' return is not about replicating its former glory but embracing the future of nightlife. "The world has changed," he said. "It's a different venue, but I do think that something new could be created." With plans to showcase fresh talent, Spence believes this might attract a younger crowd and inject some much-needed life into the scene.
Sankeys first emerged in 1994 as Sankeys Soap beneath the Beehive Mill. Initially hailed as the successor to the legendary Haçienda club, it became synonymous with groundbreaking electronic music – hosting acts such as Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers, and David Guetta. Despite a tumultuous past, including being sold to property developers, its legacy lives on.
But seriously, it's about time we rethink our relationship with our phones at clubs. I mean, think about it - when was the last time you went to a gig and actually remembered every detail of that night? Probably never, right? 
But this isn't just about nostalgia, it's about creating a more immersive experience for everyone involved.
and i'm low-key hyped! no phones allowed means we can finally get back to the good old days of dancing, music, and human connection without all that social media drama 
anyhoo, it's def gonna be interesting to see how this whole phone-free policy plays out... some ppl might get salty about not being able to document every moment 
... but hey, if it means we can enjoy the music and vibes without distractions, i'm all for it 
. btw, did u know sankeys first opened back in 1994? 
what a legendary history! 
... I mean, who hasn't taken 1000 selfies in the club already? 
... like, maybe a temporary ban or something. And I love that Lee Spence is on board with this new vibe! 
It's interesting to see Sankeys try something new, but I'm not sure it'll stick... especially with UK nightlife struggling like crazy right now. 
800 clubs closing in the past 5 years is pretty wild! 
oh man i cant even imagine going back to that time at Sankeys without my phone 
it was like the whole world had changed in those 3 years but u know what's crazy is how the music and vibes never change 
its all about connection and letting go of social media madness 
no phones allowed is like a breath of fresh air in this wild world we live in 
I'm literally so stoked that Sankeys is back!!! 
I mean, who needs a filter of memories on Instagram when you can experience them IRL?! 
. I'm excited to see what fresh talent they have lined up and whether it'll attract a new crowd to the scene 
Those were the days, right? But seriously, it's awesome that they're trying to create an intimate atmosphere where people can just let loose and enjoy themselves.
And what about all the cameras being placed on the dance floor? They're not going to stop there, are they? Next thing you know, they'll be monitoring our movements and controlling every aspect of our experience. 
at a nightclub... I mean, some people want to capture the memories of their night out, right? And what's wrong with taking a quick pic or video to share on socials afterwards? It feels like they're trying to create this whole "authentic experience" vibe, but honestly, I think it's just gonna be annoying for those who actually wanna enjoy themselves 
And stickers on cameras, nice touch! I'm curious to see how this whole phone-free thing goes down. Some clubs have tried it before and it's been kinda cool.
, but at the same time, you can't replicate the past, you gotta evolve 
. First, they start censoring music, then they're telling us what apps we can and can't use on our phones... next thing you know, they'll be monitoring our dance moves too 
. They need to know what we're talking about, who we're dancing with... it's like they're building a giant social experiment. I'm not saying I don't want to go back to Sankeys or enjoy some good music and dance, but let's be real, this is just another way for the powers that be to keep us under their thumb 
.