ManRay, the legendary alternative underground nightclub in Central Square, re-opened at its new location of 40 Prospect St. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. The venue’s new home is the former ImprovBoston comedy club, a short walk from its original location on Brookline Street.
The old ManRay spot first opened in 1983 and was an iconic piece of Boston alternative nightlife, hosting various themed nights and parties — as well as live performances by the likes of Nirvana, Wolfsheim, VNV Nation, and others — before shuttering in 2005. It was mostly known for its spectrum of underground dance nights and cult-like following, as well as being a safe haven for art and creativity away from mainstream attention.