Tell me about Sandpipers
Near the junction of Wilmslow Road/Wilbraham Road, Fallowfield.
I recall it opening around 1978/9, and it was a members-only, disco/restaurant and (initially) relatively expensive.
A haunt for a while of footballers and their hangers-on, it was really quite a decent place.
I went in as a guest just after it opened, and was 'encouraged to join'. (Long time ago, but I think it was 'join or we won't let you in as a guest when we're busy', sort of thing.
) I lived fairly locally, so it was good for sauntering home 'tired and emotional'
without the need for taxis etc.
On two levels - a ground floor public bar, which could get very, very busy - and the upstairs club.
It was fitted out like an aircraft, with airline seats and seatbelts(!), and quite 'plush'.
If I remember rightly, it was owned/managed by Colin Byrne(sp) and his missus, (didn't they have Cellar Vie, too?) and it had a good year - or maybe two - before it went downhill.
There was a winebar - Jamals - over the way on Wilmslow Road, and quite a few 'faces' from there used to take advantage of the facilities.
Jamals was, before its late licence, a reasonably good night out too. But, with late opening, came the aggro, with bouncers, nutters who, having had ten pints, move onto wine - not a great combination.
So, there you go, some old [censored] - like me - may be able to enlighten you more.
Cheers
Ed