The Haçienda

Fac 51 Haçienda (also known as simply The Haçienda) was one of the best known nightclubs in Manchester during the Madchester and the band New Order years of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Originally conceived by Rob Gretton, it was largely financed by the record label Factory Recordsalong with Tony Wilson. It was located on the corner of Whitworth Street West and Albion Street, close to Castlefield, in the centre of the city. FAC 51 was its official designation in the Factory catalogue. New Order and Factory label boss Tony Wilson were directors of the club.

Designed by Ben Kelly, upon recommendation by Factory partner Peter Saville, the Haçienda opened in 1982 and survived until 1997, despite considerable and persistent financial troubles. During much of this time the club was mainly supported by record sales from New Order. It served as a venue for Madonna on her first performance in the United Kingdom. It is considered by Peter Saville to be the birthplace of the 90s.

In 1986, it became one of the first clubs outside the US to start playing house music. This night quickly became legendary, and helped to turn around the reputation and fortunes of the Haçienda, which went from making a consistent loss to being full every night of the week by early 1987.
The growth of the Madchester scene was boosted by the success of the Haçienda's pioneering Ibiza nights in the summer of 1988 and the launch of the Hot acid house night (hosted by




Pickering and Jon DaSilva) in November.

After the Haçienda officially closed, and before it was demolished to make way for the block of flats built on the site, the Haçienda was used as venue for two free parties organised by the Manchester free party scene.