TIGER Lounge (pictured) started life in 1997 as a kitsch club night. Slice Bar was its home back then, and, between the Seventies televisions and gaudy prints, the crowd jived to a retro soundtrack.

The weekly pop-stravaganza became such a success, that the owners bought the club, and it's still here on Cooper Street, between St Peter's Square and Market Street.

The bar is looking a bit tatty these days: once shiny wallpaper lies crumpled like old stockings behind the till, while the ubiquitous fake fur looks could do with a good groom.

But this lack of polish doesn't seem to have put the punters off and walking down Tiger Lounge's murky stairs a few weeks ago, I found some gothic types drinking in a corner, and trendier folk dancing and playing records.

I scanned the seating options, which range from Happy Days-style booths, to stand alone, vintage tables before opting for `The Kitty Lounge', on the far side of the room, because it looked quieter.

The whole place is a bit dank, dark, and kooky - if you like Fab Café, Retro Bar or Night and Day you'll feel at home here.

Vodka martini

They've got a sound selection of draught ales, including Carlsberg, Erdinger, Guinness and Tetley, but cocktails are not their strong point. I asked for a vodka martini, and the friendly bar girl looked a little stumped.

There was no ice or shaker, and the vodka and martini mix was so warm and strong, it reminded me of nail varnish.

Having mixed a lot worse at home, this didn't put me off and I set about checking out other spirits on offer. Vladivar vodka is the house choice, they've got single malts, aged rums, and the unusual Pitu spirit too.

This rum style spirit, brewed from sugar cane in Brazil is called cachaca, and is the basis for the Caipirinha cocktail. It's a drink, to which I am especially partial, with its sweet yet limey flavours. There's also Budvar beer and Maguire's, a pear cider in the Magner's vein.

Highlights of Tiger Lounge's entertainment roster include Motown and the like at Here Come The Girls on a Thursday night, and Big Dig's shows, featuring bands like Warm Widow and Sam Hammond.

It's a lively place, which back in the Seventies was a haunt of George Best, and his ethos appears to live on: if you've got good drinks and music, frankly, who cares about the décor?

Tiger Lounge, 5 Cooper Street, Manchester, M2 2FW. (0161 236 6007). Open: Mon -Thurs 3pm-midnight, Fri 3pm- 3am Sat noon-3am Sun noon-midnight.