The Thousands

Hindley Street. If there is one thing that walking down it on a Saturday night has taught me, it’s that there are only a few things to desire about it and one too many to fear. There is no point denying it. As much as Hindley is character-rich, the strip clubs and other notorious spots do nothing for my appetite when looking for a night of wholesome fun. Nestled amongst the chaos though, there’s a saviour. It’s Cuckoo – a clandestine hangout for those who want to sit in a comfy sofa, sip on a drink and catch some tunes; all whilst being able to hear the person next to them.

Finding Cuckoo can be a bit tricky though. Keep your eyes open because unlike Horus and Madam Josephine’s, which it is sandwiched between, Cuckoo’s exterior commands little attention, only teasing of what’s inside. The red walls (and even the loos) have funky white illustrations scribbled all along them , there’s a dance floor when you’ve had enough of the “comfy sofa”, and it’s still open until the teeny, tiny hours of the morning.

It’s kinda hip yet not too hip and you’re unlikely ever to feel out of place simply for wearing the ‘wrong’ shirt or shoes. It’s not a place for posing, rather a salubrious haven for cocktails and the occasional shimmy. It’s sleek and appealing, a little bit quirky, not too fancy for a relaxed beer, but fancy enough for a date with lots of little nooks for nuzzling in. A woman I can imagine enjoying the character-rich aspects of Hindley Street once said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain”. Cuckoo on Hindley Street is a bit like that.