After a winter on very thin ice, nightlife is still alive but back with a vengeance, and an optimistic toothpick in its mouth. Here come the roaring 20s, two years late, but with two years of energy to expel. Check out our top picks of the events announced for 2022 below.

Crossbreed with Kiwi, Shanti Celeste | Hidden | Fri 14 Jan | £20

Peach Discs head honcho and rave revivalist, Shanti Celeste, hits Hidden’s resident queer sex positive party for the first time. Crossbreed have been throwing parties across London since 2019, and more recently in Manchester and Bristol. They’re big on creating a positive space free from homophobia and consent violations, they also have a strict dress code so check out their party rules before going.

17 DownTex Mill, Mary Street M3 1DZ
Ruf Dug | NAM | Sat 15 Jan | Free

Hitting NAM’s newly refurbed basement is Manchester veteran, Ruf Dug, known for his eclectic selections across balearic, disco and house. If you’re taking part in dry January but fancy some good tunes in a laidback atmosphere, this’ll be your jam. NAM’s vintage sound-system is one of the best around, not to mention their killer Vietnamese food. Plus, it’s free entry.

33 Blossom Street, Manchester M4 6AJ
Bakk Heia with Jane Fitz | White Hotel | Sat 29 Jan | £15

Left-field electro, house and techno label, Bakk Heia are back at their favourite spot, this time with one of the finest DJs in the game, Jane Fitz, who’ll be spinning ’til the early hours. We’re sure she’ll cover plenty of ground in her five-hour stint, leaving no stone of euphoria unturned. Support comes from BH residents, Bitzer Malo and Herc Morse.

Dickinson Street, Salford M3 7LW
The Ghost (All Night Long) | The Loft | Sat 5 Feb | £16 (Sold Out)

This one has inevitably sold out, but we thought a spooky night with Berlin’s infamous duo, The Ghost would still be worth a shout-out in case you can somehow unearth a gold dust ticket. The Ghost’s deep house and garage knowledge is second to none, they even have their own travelling record store. They’ll be hitting the newly refurbed Loft, a nice and intimate spot tucked away in Miles Platting.

Unit 1, New Street, Manchester M40 8AW
Metalheadz with Goldie & more | Joshua Brooks | Sat 26 Feb | £10

The pioneering drum ’n bass label, Metalheadz, have been a sure-fire sell out since you were born mate, unless you’re 28… Either way, this’ll be a night full of jungle nostalgia, although their records still sound like they’re from the future. Fellow veteran Nookie joins, who’s known for his seminal track Sound of Music.

106 Princess Street, M1 6NG
Fri 14 Jan - Sat 26 Feb
Words:
Leo Burrell
Published on:
Fri 7 Jan 2022