Regency Hot Spots: Manchester Assembly Rooms

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THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS Are contained in a plain brick building in Mosley street built by one hundred subscribers at fifty pounds each with an advance since of trenty pounds for the completion They were opened by a most brilliant assembly on Thursday evening September 20th 1792 The entrance by a grand vestibule leading to the stair case is very handsome On the groundfloor are proper offices and waiting rooms for servants The BALL ROOM is eighty seven feet long and thirty four feet broad It is illuminated on assembly nights by three elegant pendent and twelve mural glass chandeliers one of the former is universally and descrvedly admired and their united brilliance has heightened effect from three very large mirrors which reflect back the light The walls and ceiling are painted in co partments The seats are a kind of sophas with orange coloured satin cushions The orchestra is on one side nearly in the centre over the principal entrance which perhaps would have been better at the end of the room
The TEA ROOM is fifty four feet long and thirty one feet broad painted something similar to the Ball room Over the fire place is a portrait large as the life of the late Lord STRANGE father to the present Earl of Derby He is dressed in his parliamentary robes and has a scroll in his hand which intimates that by his exertions in the reign of his late Majesty the duty on linen yarn was repealed The picture is inclosed in an elegant frame on which the coronet and arms of the noble personage it represents are carved On one corner of the picture are these words Edward Penny professor of painting to the Royal Academy 1773 The CARD ROOM is lined with a rich chinese paper on which are painted a great number and a great variety of birds there being no duplicate representation in the room The following rules for the regulation of the assembly are printed framed and hung up in the Tea room by order of the managers The tickets for dancing to be distributed a quarter before eight The dancing to begin at eight No ticket transferrable The ladies to take their places according to the number of their tickets and to keep them during the evening Gen tlemen
may ós tlemen to change partners every two dances If the managers think the set too crouded it shall be divided the odd num bers to remain the even numbers to form another set and cach to call a dance alternately No couple to leave the set 6s before the dance is concluded without an apology from the lady to the Queen of the assembly or one of the managers for the evening No refreshments allowed in the ball room and negus only in the card room When the assembly is closed no refreshments of any kind to be permitted One cotillion only to be danced each assembly with permission of the manager and that immediately after tea In order that proper attention be paid to strangers it is requested that they may be introduced to the Queen of the assembly or one of the managers for the evening If any disputes arise they shall be left to the determination of the managers present NB To prevent inconvenience at the carriage door ladies and gentlemen are desired to give positive orders to their servants to set down with their horses heads towards St Peter's church and to take up towards Market street lane No carriage to range before the front of the assembly rooms but to wait lower down in Mosley street till called for The chairs to set down and take up at the back door of the assembly rooms where there is a convenient anti room for that purpose The chạirs coming to take up remain at the out side of the door till called for THE BILLIARD ROOM Is in the same building as the assemblyrooms and belongs to the same proprietors who let it to the managers of the billiard room The entrance to it is from Back Mosley street It is fifty four feet long and for 60 a year

and thirty one feet broad and is a very hand some room well adapted for the purposes in which it is employed It is under the direction of a treasurer and committee chosen by the subscribers who are eighty five annually in January The subscribers are admitted by ballot and must have a majority of four fifths They pay on admission five guineas and annually two guineas in advance If not paid in the month of January they forfeit half a guinea and if unpaid the twenty fifth day of March the member is erpelled No inhabitant of Manchester except a subscriber can be admitted but strangers may be free for one month if introduced by two subscribers or for a single day by one subscriber The room is opened in Summer at eight and in the Winter at dine in the morning it is shut at ten in the evening except company pany The following are among the regulations of the room The priceIf a single game of billiards is three pence by day or sixpence by canadle light Double games four pence and eight pence The billtard table not to be engaged for more than three games No person to be at billiards back gammon or chess more than half a crown son to play at whist for more than one shilling the point or bet more than half a guinea upon the rubber No newspaper or pamphlet to be taken out of the room The markers are not allowed to take any perquisites No per
pany are engaged when it is kept open till twelve The room is open on Sundays to read the news papers & c but no game is allowed and liquor is not suffered to come into the room at any time The Manchester Guide (1804)

The only image I could find is from the Victorian era, so nevermind the dresses, but it does give us a good idea of the interior.

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