Editorial

Headlines

Events for 2018

Our next monthly event is on Saturday, July 7th

I keep hearing people say how much they miss Legends, and at Alert! we do too. So we thought we would do something special for those of you who have supported us since the beginning. For July’s Alert! we have dropped the Members’ entry price to what it used to be -just £6! Show your membership card at reception when you come in and we will wind back the price for you.

Maybe you have one of the old-style membership cards in the back of a drawer somewhere? Fish it out and come along. Maybe you have not been for a while because you thought we were too relaxed with the dress code? We’d love to see some of the old faces and in fact I will give FREE ENTRY to the first person who arrives with one of the original membership cards (with the old logo).

We are also winding back the dress code to be a little stricter than we have been of late (I admit we have been lax in policing it recently). We are dropping ‘just underpants’ from the dress code for full Alert! nights (but pants are fine for Alert! LITE – watch this space for some exciting news about August’s Alert! LITE coming soon!). You can check the dress code at https://club-alert.com/dresscode/

Of course, you don’t have to be a member to come along – everyone is welcome, but we wanted to give a little extra reward as a thank you to those of you who keep coming back!

We’ve got Brett Denning on the decks and whilst none of us can bring Legends back, we’ll do what we can to try to recreate some of the atmosphere from back then.

Then…

We have TWO events in August, the 4th, which is an Alert! LITE (so no dress code) and the 25th, which is our Pride special. We always open Pride with a fantastic party. This event will be a strict dress code – leather, rubber, skinhead, workie, boots ‘n’Jock.

We appreciate advanced notice so that you can book hotels and arrange your travel as early as possible. The following dates are now confirmed:

Saturday July 7th 10:30
Saturday August 4th 10:30 Alert! LITE
Friday August 25th PRIDE 10:00
Saturday October 6th 11:00

Phase 2

Some good news

As you know, for two years now we have been trying to find a permanent home, one that we can run ourselves and provide a guaranteed safe haven not just for Alert! but for all of the events who can’t find space in the mainstream venues.

We have now found a building which we think would be ideal and have made an offer but we are a long way from securing the venue. To do that we will need a lot of help. The biggest hurdle we have is in raising enough investment to secure the lease and undertake some renovation work that will have to be done. If you are able and willing to invest or know anyone who may be looking for an exciting investment opportunity we really need to hear from you. We have some investment lined up but not quite enough to be able to move forward.

You can contact us via info@phase2mcr.org or the online form here:

Phase2 contact

Thank you

IF we get the investment, we will then need help with all manner of tasks from drawing up architects plans, to carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, decorating, accountancy and legal services. So if you think you can help, then please get in touch.

Just to get where we are has been a massive task – we have been VERY busy behind the scenes preparing costings, plans and investor pitches so we are ready to move forward with a well-formulated plan. But we really cannot do this alone. If you can offer any help at all please let us know. I know that some of you have offered in the past, but people have rapidly moving and evolving lives and we don’t want to assume that if you offered before you will still be interested. So, please help us complete a database of current helpers by re-registering your ability to help.

This is by no means a done deal. We are several months away and this could easily fall through in an instant.

There is a mountain to climb before we can secure the property so we don’t want to get too excited (we have been close before) but I personally think this is a great opportunity and with the right support and just a little luck we may be able to make this dream a reality for us all.

No G in Alert!

As a very few people appear to have started to bring G/GHB/GBL into Alert! I feel I need to remind everyone that this is absolutely against our rules and those of the venue.

My primary concern is always the wellbeing of Alert! customers and I never want to have to send someone to hospital because they are ill, or worse.

So, we will now start conducting random bag searches and increasing patrols inside the venue. Anyone found bringing G into the club or seen using it, will be banned for life.

We can only do so much though and I need to ask you all to be vigilant and report anyone you see taking G to one of the team. It isn’t telling tales, it is potentially saving lives, and certainly helping us save the club. I am sure that the vast majority of you do not want our night to be jeopardised because of the stupidity of a few idiots. And be in no doubt that the night IS in jeopardy because I would rather stop running it than have someone’s death on my conscience. Neither am I prepared to risk Night People’s licence.

So please be patient if you have to queue for a little longer coming in, and be understanding if we ask to check your bag. And please help me put a stop to this now so that Alert! can remain a safe event for everyone.

We have also found a number of syringes as we have been cleaning up. These appear to have been from Cavaject (which is of course a perfectly legal prescription medication). If you need to use it then please dispose of the needle sensibly. The UndergrounD Shop has a sharps bin and will take needles from you with no questions asked.

Saturday July 7th

August 4th Alert! LITE

Join us for the first of two Alert!’s in August. This is an Alert! LITE which means we drop the dress code and everyone is welcome even if you don’t have the gear. Then later this month we have our Pride special which is always busy. We spoil you, but you are worth it!

Pride 2018 Aug 24th

We are back in our traditional slot on the first night of the Pride long weekend – need we say more? All the usual fun plus no doubt some Pride extras to make it an even more special event. Tickets will go on sale early July and yes, there will be some capacity left for […]

What people say about Alert!

“Before I came to Alert! I thought it would be scary, and full on, but in fact, it was the most relaxed, attitude-free, fun night I have ever been to!”

“Never be afraid to try new things”

“Alert! enabled me to feel confident to take fetish out of the bedroom for the first time”

“All you have to be “Alert!” about is the fabulous guys and even better atmosphere to cruise & play!!!!”

“Alert! freed my inner fetish, for me, nothing can match what Alert! gives (and thanks for letting me be your bar bitch for 9 months best job EVER)”

“Alert! has allowed me to witness things that before only used to belong on a computer screen – thank you!”

“Alert!: simply a fantastic friendly night to explore your wicked side “

“With Alert!, I can be myself without worry and enjoy the company of like-minded men!!! Thank You Alert!!!!!”

“Alert! – Pervy Friends, Pervy Times. Pervect!”

A Weekend Of Fetish

Something for the weekend?

We have never thought of Alert! in isolation. It sits in a landscape of amazing venues, events, opportunities. Don’t just come to Alert!, instead, come and experience some of the wonderful people of Manchester and the world-renowned Gay Village.

At these times of not-so-slow gentrification of our gay spaces, it is all the more important to support as many of these enterprises as you can. The pubs won’t be able to stay gay-only if you don’t drink in them. The promoters won’t be able to afford venue hire if you don’t visit their nights. We all struggle to keep providing these spaces for you and we need your support and love more than ever to stand up to the tide or corporate giants and the increasing influx of straights.

If we turn our backs for just a few months we will find our Village is nothing more than hotels, houses, apartments and offices. Already far more of the Village has been sold off than people realise. But when the scaffold goes up and the bulldozers move in we will be left wondering what happened when our backs were turned. So please don’t just support Alert!but try to show your love to as many of the events as possible.

Collared Manchester is our latest event for guys in the north. With the same ethos as our London event, attitude and dress code free. Why not come along explore your fantasies, have some fun and make new friends.Collared Manchester runs from 6pm to 10:30pm on the first Saturday of the month at the Eagle.

	The Eagle The Eagle and The Black Eagle (the smaller backroom bar which remains men-only even through the week) are great places for pre- and post-Alert! drinks. They are open until late and are still within very easy walking distance of Alert! Look out for Eagle’s fetish events too, like Jock, their underwear party. And of course, there is The Eagle’s remounted Sunday Service which brings some great acts and entertainment to the city.
	The Rem(brandt) The Rem hosts a number of men-only fetish events and is one of the longest-running venues in the Village. It is the home of Beareoke – The Fun filled Karaoke and Entertainment night in the REM BAR for the BEARS…. Come sing a song or two or just enjoy a drink by the side of the Canal. For many, the Rem is the very heart of Manchester’s Gay Village and they even have accommodation!
	Animalz Look out for a host of events throughout the months for pups and their handlers – Animalz The UKs First and Only Furry Nightclub Held @ AlterEgo, Manchester. A Club for Fursuits, Pups, and anyone between. Star DJs, Great Facilities and a Fun Night!
	Kennel Klub Kennel Klub is certainly worth a visit. If you are looking for a welcoming, judgement free place to come and explore or learn about pup play then Kennel Klub is a great choice! Kennel Klub takes place in BarPop from 1pm on the first Saturday of every month. So add it to your weekend diary
	MancsBound MancsBound is a Bondage Group for Gay and Bi men based in Manchester. Skinhead, Leather, Rubber, Uniform, Workwear, Suits, Football & Rugby Kit, Lycra, Pups, Furries and more are welcome. MancsBound takes place on the third Friday of every month
	Company Bar Company Bar, welcomes all Gay men into Manchester with an atmosphere for all guys to enjoy, music from the all extremes depending on your requirements. The Black Eagle and Company Bar are the only men-only bars in the Village
	Cruz 101 and Sub 101 Cruz 101 showcases a varied selection of nights with a music policy which ranges from disco to funky house, pop to trance, r’n’b to hard house….catering for everyone. Stunning decor, reasonable door & bar prices that certainly won’t break the bank, the best state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. Sub 101, the basement part of the venue, has a long history of holding and supporting fetish events
	Collared Collared Manchester happens every month in The Eagle, just before Alert!. With the same ethos as their well-established London parties, the event is attitude and dress code free. Why not go along explore your fantasies, have some fun and make new friends. Then head over to Alert! to carry on the excitement. Collared Manchester runs from 6pm to 10:30pm on the first Saturday of the month at the Eagle.
	The Big Scrum The Big Scrum falls almost always on the Friday before Alert! (but check their FaceBook page for the full diary) The UK’s biggest Sport kit club night! Like Men in Rugby & Sports kit? Like all you can drink free shots – until they’re gone, (so get there early)? Like an attitude free, fun, cheeky and horny club night? Then you’ll love The Big Scrum! Details below in our Featured Companion Event section
	Manchester Gay Skins The Manchester Gay Skins monthly social takes place every month at Alert! too, so there is always a contingent of horny guys in bleachers and boots and all skins are welcome to join in the fun. This is a non-political group of guys who love the skinhead look and want to see it flourish as a fetish in Manchester. Look out for the annual MGS Weekend (scheduled for February 2017) and load of other events happening through the year.

Manchester is overflowing with opportunities, regardless of what your particular fetish may be, but all of these events and venues can only stay open if you continue to support them.

Manchester Fetish Weekends

Many of these events are deliberately timed to fit around Alert! The Big Scrum, Kennel Klub, Collared and the MGS Social all fall on an Alert! weekend so why not really binge on a box set of fetish events?

Featured Companion Event

The Big Scrum

If you are planning a full fetish weekend in Manchester around Alert! then for most of 2018 The Big Scrum falls on the Friday before Alert! on the Saturday.

What is the Big Scrum all about?
Think of being in the pub on a match day, Rugby or football…
The place is packed, there’s a great atmosphere and everybody is wearing the kit of their favourite team. Only down side, is you’re in a straight bar and you’re paying more attention to the guys looking quite hot in their Rugby/footie top!
The Big Scrum aims to take the great atmosphere, the hot gay men in kit and mix with a great venue. So GET YER KIT ON, get ready to play with some balls and get down to The Big Scrum.

LGBT Foundation

Play Packs now available at Alert!

LGBT Foundation in partnership with MAC Aids Fund has developed ‘Play Packs’ for guys who are either hosting or engaging in group sex activities or chemsex.

We are delighted that we are now able to offer these to Alert! customers. We will have them available at Reception for you to take away with you. We will need to ask you to give us some basic demographic details simply for to meet the funding criteria but the packs are free.

The LGBT Foundation kindly supply all of the condoms and lube provided for free to Alert! customers either individually or packaged in handy pocket packs.

The Foundation offers a range of services either through its main building which is on Richmond Street or outreach services such as those provided at Alert! These include non-judgemental help, support and advice on safer sex, substance use, all matters concerning sexuality and even assistance with things as basic as financial, housing or relationship problems. They also offer rapid HIV testing, accompanied of course with support, counselling and access to medical services.

Email:	Phone:
info@lgbt.foundation	0345 3 30 30 30
Visit:	Map:
LGBT Foundation 5 Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF	https://goo.gl/PUZfXe

The LGBT Foundation are open seven days a week, and you can contact them by email or telephone if you are unable to visit in person. They offer confidential help to our community and will treat you with empathy and respect if you need to use their services.

We want everyone to leave Alert! with only happy memories so please stay safe, stay sensible and stay smiling.

Mobile Phones

Please respect the privacy of others and keep your mobile phone in your bag or pocket. Nobody wants to hear your conversation and there may be people there who don’t want to appear in your selfie.

Alert! attracts people from all walks of life and some of our customers wish to keep their attendance at Alert! private.

You may think that it is harmless to take a picture of yourself or your friends, but what about the nervous guy just in the shot who isn’t yet comfortable with having his image published all over FaceBook? Even the light from a flash or the glow of a mobile phone screen can annoy people, and please NEVER use your phone for any reason in the darkrooms.

If you need to take a call please do so in Reception or outside the building.

Thanks

Underground

We are joined at many of our events by our friends from UndergrounD who stock a wide range of toys, poppers, clothing and fetish paraphernalia, all priced below most of the local and online suppliers.

This is stock made exclusively available to Alert! customers so is an opportunity to bag a great bargain.

Included in the range (but by no means an exhaustive list) are:

Poppers
Jacks
Shorts
Sports kit
Toys (big and small)
Cock rings

Leather gear
Rubber gear
Wrist wallets
Nipple clamps
Harnesses
Plenty more

So if you forgot to bring lube and want a tub of Crisco, or you think a new harness would be just the treat for your loved one then have a browse and see what tickles your fancy (or what you can use to tickle someone else’s!)

UndergrounD also carry a stock of our Alert! branded clothing (also available online) and if we don’t hold the exact size you want we can order it from the supplier for you to collect at the venue or have it sent by post.

Where to stay

Hotels

We know that many of you live outside of Manchester City Centre and that hotel rooms can be expensive. There are a number of the usual hotels fairly close to our current venue, such as:

Holiday Inn 25 Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3AE

Le Ville 42 Canal St, Manchester M1 3WD

Ibis Manchester 96 Portland St, Manchester M1 4GX

Ibis Princess Street Charles St, Princess St, Manchester M1 7DG

Britannia Portland St, Manchester M1 3LA

Bed and Breakfast

You may also consider using a service like Misterb&b – which aims to put you in touch with people who have B&B rooms available. There are a few local guys with rooms and they are often a lot cheaper than the hotels

Do you have a room (or even a sofabed) that you could make available to an Alert! customer? If so, let me know (email mail@club-alert.com) and if there are enough of you with spaces, I may look at setting up a local database to help connect you with people who need somewhere to stay.

Saturday July 7th

Maybe you have one of the old-style membership cards in the back of a drawer somewhere? Fish it out and come along. Maybe you have not been for a while because you thought we were too relaxed with the dress code? We’d love to see some of the old faces and in fact I will give FREE ENTRY to the first person who arrives with one of the original membership cards (with the old logo).

Of course, you don’t have to be a member to come along – everyone is welcome, but we wanted to give a little extra reward as a thank you to those of you who keep coming back!

We’ve got Brett Denning on the decks and whilst none of us can bring Legends back, we’ll do what we can to try to recreate some of the atmosphere from back then.

August 4th Alert! LITE

Join us for the first of two Alert!’s in August.

This is an Alert! LITE which means we drop the dress code and everyone is welcome even if you don’t have the gear.

Then later this month we have our Pride special which is always busy. We spoil you, but you are worth it!

Pride 2018 Aug 24th

We are back in our traditional slot on the first night of the Pride long weekend – need we say more? All the usual fun plus no doubt some Pride extras to make it an even more special event.

Tickets will go on sale early July and yes, there will be some capacity left for people who can’t commit this early and want to pay on the door.

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Quicklinks

Editorial

Headlines

Events for 2018

Phase 2

Some good news

Phase2 contact

No G in Alert!

Saturday July 7th

August 4th Alert! LITE

Pride 2018 Aug 24th

What people say about Alert!

A Weekend Of Fetish

Something for the weekend?

The Eagle

The Rem(brandt)

Animalz

Kennel Klub

MancsBound

Company Bar

Cruz 101 and Sub 101

Collared

The Big Scrum

Manchester Gay Skins

Manchester Fetish Weekends

Featured Companion Event

The Big Scrum

LGBT Foundation

Play Packs now available at Alert!

Mobile Phones

Underground

Where to stay

Hotels

Bed and Breakfast

Saturday July 7th

August 4th Alert! LITE

Pride 2018 Aug 24th

Map