Legendary Boston Nightclub ManRay Reopens in Cambridge
ManRay reopens in Cambridge and the city’s nightlife rejoices. And so do I: it’s nice to have an opening to talk about instead of a closing.
The rebirth of the beloved alternative nightclub was reported last week by Vanyaland’s Michael O’Connor Marotta:
The club’s longtime resident DJ Chris Ewen, part of a trio of operators that includes beloved bartender Terri Niedzwiecki and owner Don Holland, confirmed the opening to Vanyaland this afternoon. Holland secured the space in 2021, and since then the room has undergone significant renovations and construction to recreate its very specific environment.
If you were a frequent patron at ManRay back in the day, you no doubt remember that “very specific environment.” From its opening in 1983 through its final days in 2005, there was nothing else quite like it in or around the city. Scene-specific dance nights catered to fans of goth, industrial, and other niche music genres. And, most importantly, ManRay was a safe space for artists who wanted to create and patrons who wanted to express themselves outside of the mainstream.
MayRay also played host to its fair share of big gigs over the years as well. Back in April of 2020, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Nirvana headlining the club in support of their 1989 SubPop debut, Bleach.
Legendary Boston Nightclub ManRay Reopens in Cambridge
I wasn’t on hand for the grand reopening over the weekend (I was running around in the snow in Maine). Marotta was, though, and had this to share:
“The new ManRay is incredible, it vibes as a proper alternative nightclub that was very much needed and already feels like a home to those who need it most. ManRay was a rare beast when it was operational back in the day, a truly unique place, and wasn’t replicated in the 18 years since it closed.
There aren’t a lot of proper nightclubs around the city for alternative culture; we’re used to doing things in places like bars, breweries, and function halls. But this new space both recalls the old location’s dark and gritty interior — as well as its protective boundaries from the outside world — and also feels new, exciting, and dynamic. The sound is huge, the venue shadowy.
If you’re looking to pay the resurrected ManRay a visit, visit the club here first for theme nights and hours.