ManRay / Campus might reopen this summer

Rumors are swirling that the popular fetish / gay bar will re-open this summer not far from its original home in Cambridge.  Cambridge Day reported the rumors earlier this week and the news was quickly picked up by Boston Restaurant Talk  and the Boston Hospitality blog.

Cambridge Day reports in their post on January 8th, “Man Ray owner Don Holland never stopped trying to resurrect the famed Central Square nightclub. Under threat of losing his restaurant and alcohol license, he said Tuesday that he believed he’s succeeded.  The location: Central Square’s former Blockbuster video, a 5,000-square-foot space at 541 Massachusetts Ave.”

I met my partner on one of the gay nights at ManRay (a fetish bar), which was called “Campus” on Thursdays and Saturdays when the crowd was mostly gay.  I loved the whole layout with the lounge that had pool tables, the backroom dance floor which would play music from bands like Siouxsie and The Banshees, Depeche Mode and XTC and the main dance floor in the front where DJs would mix the latest pop and dance hits.  I was so sad when I heard the bar closed because the landlord sold the property to be made into condos.

I’ll be keeping tabs on the nightclub’s website, www.manrayclub.com.