Ritz Review:

A few years back, The Ritz was bogged down in dull DJ's, student tossers and sticky carpets. However, over the last couple of years the venue has hired some great barstaff, dumped the dodgy DJ's, tempted in classy promoters and started building up a new clientele of open-minded, up-for-a-laugh clubbers. The Ritz also does a great line in live music, including appearances from The Charlatans, Happy Mondays, Sunshine Underground, Klaxons, Maximo Park, CSS and local hypemonkeys The Courteeners.

The gigs might get the venue the most press but the clubnights are worth checking out too. Unfortunately the huge new residency from Club Federation which was to transform Saturday nights at the venue has fallen through after Federation found itself on the nasty end of a dirty and vindictive campaign and decided that they didn't need the hassle. However, there are plenty of other nights going strong.

Mondays belong to Free Range, which is all about the alternative side of things, from indie and rock to ska. Tuesdays are gig night. Wednesdays still belong to Brutus Gold's Love Train, a 60's / 70's retro night that boasts a team of dancers in shift dresses or handlebar moustaches and chest wigs. Thursdays have a new monthly night called Into The Rubble, which bills itself as "not a club night or a gig, but a party. A f*cking huge party." Fridays are given over to International, possibly the only weekend clubnight at a major venue to cater for the international clientele of the city and favourite haunt of the Polish clubbing community.

These days The Ritz looks less like a bingo hall and more like a contender for most interesting venue in town.

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