A Night of UKG and Hidden's New Fit
- Connie Cowell
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
Manchester's best-rated club just got even better. There's no hiding the buzz about Hidden.
March 8th saw some Garage gurus gracing the decks, with DJ EZ, Shadev, Mattik, and Hanz facilitating the dancefloor. Garage is the perfect genre for a venue like Hidden—old-school enough to complement the abandoned warehouse aesthetic. And yet, we're seeing a local resurgence of Garage love, just as Hidden recently received its own dose of TLC. The bass rumbled through Hidden’s industrial walls, shaking the very foundations of Manchester’s underground scene. UK Garage has well and truly infiltrated the city’s core, and on March 8th, it took over one of its finest venues in spectacular fashion. The energy was electric—The Dj's orchestrated the night with precision, their sets weaving between skippy two-step rhythms, deep basslines, and the unmistakable groove that defines the genre. The sound system was nothing short of immaculate, each beat punched through the air with crisp, chest-thumping clarity.
On your approach to this iconic venue, you'll see a standout, dilapidated building screaming to be stomped in. 'Downtex Mill,' sprawled across the side in heavy white lettering, tells punters this is a place that doesn't want to forget its history. The general fear felt by locals upon hearing of Hidden's budding renovations was precisely that: losing the sense of authenticity and lineage attached to the place. I can assure you that those fears were misplaced.
The management team and staff have prioritised our voices in their decisions, working on the bits we didn't like and leaving the sacred bits we did. The new entrance and a fresh lick of paint haven't made the spot unrecognisable; they have added to a more immersive space. Hidden was already adept at making you feel far from the city. Now, that experience begins the second you set foot in the building.
Stepping into the main room, the classic metal fencing remains between the DJ and dancers, possibly one of the space's most critical features, communicating the Mills trademark industrial vibe. However, with fresh flooring, an enhanced Void sound system and a state-of-the-art lighting rig, the dancefloor is embellished by cutting-edge technology, helping you lose yourself in the music further. It was vital to the team that Hidden didn't lose its character, so we're calling these refurbishments accessories. Simple, thoughtful decisions are implemented to enrich an experience. What is that experience, you might ask? One dripping in Void sound system bass.
Hidden provided the perfect backdrop for the evening. The crowd moved as one, lost in the hypnotic shuffle of shuffling snares and soulful vocals, a testament to UKG’s deep roots in Manchester’s nightlife. From nostalgic classics to fresh, forward-thinking selections, every drop was met with roars of approval. As the night pressed on, the heat rose, bodies swayed, and the unmistakable energy of a proper Garage rave filled the space. If there was ever any doubt that UKG is alive and thriving in Manchester, this night erased it completely.
I did note that the colour of the lighting rig was interesting. Initially, it felt somewhat cold because the white and blue setup exaggerated that underground feeling. Ten minutes later, when I was sweating from my eyebrows, I was pretty appreciative of the decision. The bar area also features its own new lighting setup, casting a warm red glow across the space. Everything was starting to make sense. Keep the mood of the lighting cold where we're all showing the DJ some appreciation, and make it warm and inviting in the bar/chill-out area to create a welcoming environment for those ready for a sit-down and yap with the squad!
Previous partygoers will remember the bar area as much smaller, with the cloakroom at the back. The room now stands independently after completely opening the space and ditching the coat facilities for updated secure electronic lockers. It's now somewhere you would actually spend time rather than dip in and out of. Plus, an extended drinks menu complete with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options ensures that all visitors find their poison.
It wouldn't be a night out without a billion bathroom trips (we've all got pea-sized bladder friends), so after drinking your fill, you'll see Hidden's new facilities. Capacity has increased by 50%, which, to our female readers, is sure to sound like a godsend. Those new lockers now stand close to the toilet entrance, so you can grab your lippy and refresh before bouncing back to the dancefloor.
All in all, despite our anxious concerns, this once-abandoned feeling Mill has not abandoned us. Hidden continues to stay ahead of the curve, and in a time where grassroots venues are flagging, we're so lucky that it thrives. Here's to the next send; may there be many more to come.
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As always, we will see you at the front!
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