Rock Kitchen reopens with much-anticipated new venue

By Felicity Robertson

After 11 years of dominating Manchester’s alternative music scene, Rock Kitchen closed its doors at MMU for the last time earlier this year. 

The announcement of Rock Kitchen reopening its doors at new venue, Alter Ego, left much to be anticipated.

With some of the cheapest drinks around, shots of sambuca and Sourz are 50p, Carlsberg a £1 and cheeky vimtos £2.90, combined with late opening hours, 5am, it was guaranteed to be a good night.

Alter Ego is definitely a well-chosen venue. Liam Healy, the event organiser, said: “We are still trying to keep the old music but bring in the new as well.”

It is smarter than the old MMU set up with Machine Head’s  ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’ emblazoned on numerous walls; the slogan is seemingly appropriate as it feels all three have gone in to making Rock Kitchen a good night.

There are two rooms, one caters for the old faithful ‘Kitch’ goers, playing bands such as Metallica, Spineshank, Rage Against the Machine, Queen and Machine Head just to name a few. 

In contrast the other room appeals to a younger crowd playing pop-punk, metal core and popular ‘emo’. With tunes such as Taking Back Sunday’s ‘Cute without the E’ and Blink 182’s ‘Rock Show’ on the playlist everyone seems to get involved with singing and dancing along.

For those who are in to the alternative scene, the new Rock Kitchen night will undoubtedly act as a bit of much needed competition for Deadbolt and Satan’s Hollow, also held on a Friday night.

Previously voted ‘The best rock club of the North’ by Kerrang and Metal Hammer magazines, Rock Kitchen has a lot of expectations to fulfil, however, after the success of the opening night let’s hope its reputation reigns for another 11 years.

The event is currently run monthly and the next one will be taking place on Friday 4 November.