The nightclub is clamping down on after some punters broke the rules
The venue, which has a no-phones policy, has become a big hit with Manchester clubbers(Image: Khris Cowley)
A Manchester nightclub has issued an update to its house rules after being left ‘disappointed’ by some guests who have gone against it’s strict policy.
Located on Oxford Road, Amber’s has already gone down a treat with clubbers and hosted shows for this year’s BBC Radio 6 Music Festival. It has featured performances from the likes of PACH., Skream, Kevin Saunderson, Aiden Francis, and Polygonia.
It also recently played host to Fred Again, the Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer, who in September, played an intimate show for just 1,000 people at the nightclub.
However, when the 1,000-capacity venue opened its doors at the end of last year it did so with a unique policy that aimed to bring the clubgoing focus back on the music being played.
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Revellers at the venue are asked to follow a strict no-phone policy, meaning no one is allowed to film or take photographs during the night.
Fred Again played to an intimate crowd of 1,000 at the venue(Image: Getty Images)
Fronted by an established team of industry professionals – including Jeremy Abbott, who is the co-founder of creative agency Nothing Forced and has also taken up residency slots on Rinse FM – it’s aimed to be an opportunity for clubbers to enjoy themselves without the many distractions of life today.
The move was welcomed in Manchester’s clubbing community, while it’s opening events quickly sold out, suggesting further support from those attending shows at the venue.
However today, the team behind Amber’s have issued a new update to their rules after a ‘select phew’ have been caught filming on the dancefloor and posted videos online.
Unhappy with the rule breaking, the owners took to Instagram to set the record straight and double down on the policy.
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In a lengthy series of photos, they wrote: “Since our launch back in December, we have made it very clear that we are a no phones venue. We want to create an experience for everyone where they are present in the moment and not distracted by the by phones.
“While the majority pf people that attend Amber’s Keep their phones away, there are a select phew who don’t.
“This is of course disappointing.
“Over the recent weeks and months we have seen an increased amount of phones filming on the dancefloor and we are aware of numerous videos shot on phone appeairng online.
“To those that come to Amber’s and respect our house rules, thank you, you are contributing to an incredible vibe in the room.
Amber’s in Manchester city centre(Image: Khris Cowley for Here & Now (www.wearehereandow.net))
“For those that don’t, we ask that you think about the space and the people around you before removing your stickers.
“The rules have previously been that if you are seen filming on your phone, you are politely asked to stop, if you are seen again, you are asked to leave the venue.
“From now on, as a renewed pledge to our no phones policy, if you are seen recording in the venue, you will be asked to leave, there will be no second chances.
“There will now be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, ensuring that the vibe of the space is protected and if you are spotted at any point during the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s.
Amber’s will feature an exciting line-up of big and upcoming names – but they won’t be advertised prior to events(Image: Khris Cowley)
“Open your mind. Honour the concept. Respect the space.”
Since Amber’s paved the way, the concept has since been adopted by other venues. The Warehouse Project have brought it in for a number of its upcoming shows this year, with bosses saying they wanted to take the clubbing experience back to its core, which is ‘being in a room with like-minded people feeling connected through music’.
And it seems like the stern warning is backed by Amber’s visitors too with the comments full of support for the nightclub and it’s updated, one-strike-and-your-out policy.
“Completely support this. If people remove the stickers they have already violated the entry policy. They can go somewhere else if they don’t like the entry policy!” wrote one person.
DJ Jeremy Abbott has described Amber’s as ‘a dream project’ for him(Image: Amber’s)
Another added: “Well said – if you can’t keep off Instagram and filming for a few hours then this isn’t the place for you.”
And some, thinking what the rest of us were thinking about a phone-free space, simply penned: “I thoroughly enjoyed the break from my phone to be honest.”
Co-founder Jeremy Abbott also added his thoughts to the comments, writing: “Big ups to those who come through and get involved by following the house rules. Always been really simple: phones away, be sound, enjoy the moment.
“Shame that a few people let things down, goes for some DJs who we’ve had too, but we move. Excited for the future as always.”
The venue has also proved popular for its prices. When it launched last December, advance tickets for the club’s nights were fixed at just £5, whilst the line-up of artists and DJs performing each Saturday night isn’t revealed until the very next day.