Blinkers, King St West

Previously Le Phonographe

My older sister was a regular here and took me along as a teenager in the mid 70's. It was a pretty sophisticated place for the time and I was a bit too young to make the most of it!
Many of the pop/rock stars performing in Manchester would be in there after their shows, it was just along from Besty's old shop premises...

Salford Lad - 6/6/11

The entrance use to be on the side street with a small peep-window in the door so that Steph the doorman could see who wanted to come in. All the major artists appearing in Manchester use to unwind there, Tom Jones, Danny Larue, Des O'Connor, etc. The tables in the alcoves were exclusive and I held court in one at least three times a week!!!

Boghound - 15/10/11

Blinkers was previously called the Phonograph and was the ultimate trendy place to go. The membership was £5 and that was when £10 a week was a good wage. You can guess the sort of people who became members. Riff-raff like me could only get in with a suitable companion.

Julie Driscoll got me in one night and then went off to sing with the Steam Packet at the Twisted Wheel. I couldn't even buy a beer at the Phonograph but that nice, rich lady Julie had dumped me:).

Stephen Wolstenholme  - 29/12/11

Nice to see the old me !!. I worked briefly for Selwyn at Blinkers on Sunday nights. I had a full time day job in the car business and worked at Mr Smiths 6 nights a week with "Jumpin" Joe Makin. Little wonder I didn't stay long at Blinkers. !!

Still see Selwyn around in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge. He has an animal sanctuary at his home and does lots for charity. Good Guy.

Eric Stanton - 3/7/12

Joined as soon as it opened as Le Phonographe in 1965(?). The manager was also manager of Lulu and the Luvvers. J Savile, G Best, M Summerbee there often, the Hollies occasionally. Never saw the Stones there myself but I believe Mick Jagger said he liked it because it was the only club in the UK where he could go and not get mobbed by teenyboppers. Membership was age 21+.

Le Phonographe did US disco groups such as Jr Walker, Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin, Four Tops, Sam the Sham, Arthur Conley, Smokey Robinson. 

Still remember Frank's bacon and egg butties.  Moved to Canada about the time it changed to Blinkers and they put Norman Thelwell's ponies on the walls. 

Chris Jones - 17/12/12

Had the pleasure of Meeting up with Selwyn Demmy last week. Still the same, sharp as a tack !. Was shown around his animal sanctuary. Amazing! Didn't stay in for too long having met Bruno the Rottweiler. Selwyn looking good and generous as ever. Thanks for the Easter Eggs.

Eric (RockinRic) Stanton - 3/4/13

My mate was DJ there in the seventies, Dave Faversham, and he used to get me in there free, it was a bit expensive for me at the time and I would normally never have gone in a place like that. I met the owner, Selwyn, but I never saw anybody famous.

My mate was on early and Dave Lee Travis came on later, that's probably when all the "stars" came in. I was hoping to have seen Bestie but never did, until many years later when I met him when he played for Stockport County.

Dave Moore - 28/4/13

Was working at the Manchester Evening News, had never been to Blinkers. Showed up for a blind dat e(local model Joanna King) at 1:00 a.m. Sunday after a freelance gig at the Sunday Express. Got nixed by the polite and gracious Stephan at the front door for not wearing a tie. Suit from Aquascutum, but no $#%$#$@ tie!

Got to know Selwyn later despite that (and "black sheep" brother Harvey). The place was a great dance spot; George Best invariably in descending stages of inebriation in a booth - what a WASTE of major talent; Wayne Fontana and others parading through; lubricious bartender ladies always up for a romp. Time is fleeting, madness takes its toll ...

Jack Grimshaw - 18/5/13

Hi to readers - I worked at Blinkers Bistro, French, + Blinkers night club.

I was a young teenager working the kitchens, PACO, Bistro PACHI, French MORICE, was at French + club . They were superb chefs and all taught me a great deal especially Paco. lots of important people frequented all three places.  The DJ at the time was Eager Beever Dave. I recall the night when The king of r + roll Elvis Presley died I was the one to tell D J Dave, he then stopped the music and 1 minute silence fell upon the club.

Blinkers was a special place to work the staff were the best HOSEY, PAULO, FERNANDO,, ANTONIO, WHAN, MICHEAL. MORITHIO. The manager. Tthey were fabulous. Selwyn Demmy himself was by far the best person I have ever met in my life ,he was so generous and considerate a real man to look up to I owe him so much gratitude. 

My 2 years at blinkers I will never forget . 

CB UK - 24/12/13

My ex wife Pauline worked at The Phonograph when it first opened. I was in there one night with Wayne Fontana, Lulu was sat on my knee having a laugh, when Pauline came over and told her to "F Off", or else. 

Frank Renshaw - 19/2/14