The Magnet

Founded in 1958, the Magnet holds an illustrious and iconic place in Liverpool’s musical history. Originally, the street level bar was called the ‘Rumblin’ Tum’ and the basement the ‘Sink Club’. It was one of the city’s first black music venues and entry was by way of a numbered sink plug on a short length of chain which proved membership. Freddie Mercury first played with Brian May in a band called Ibis at the Sink Club and there seems to be very few bands and performers that at some point in their careers haven’t graced the dark red stage. Following a brief period in the early 90’s as a tapas bar, the venue was extensively refurbished and re-named as The Magnet in 1998. A couple of years later, the main room was extended and the sound system upgraded to include a world class Funktion One. The Magnet as we now know it was born. In the past decade, the venue’s line ups have read like a who’s who of contemporary and classic black music artists, including memorable appearances from Roy Ayers, Louie Vega, Gilles Peterson, Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, Todd Terry, Jazzy B, DJ Spinna, Karizma, Mr Thing, D-Styles, People Under The Stairs, Groove Assassin and Wolf Music. Upstairs, residents spin disco, boogie, soul, funk, Latin, Afro and house music all night long… The Magnet boasts a long list of accolades including ‘Best Bar in Liverpool’ – The Guardian March 2008, ‘Best Bar’ – The Itchy Guide, and sits proudly at No 29 in the Best Bars in the World – GQ Magazine 2007.