DEEP LORE
NOW
HEAT on 27.10.23 | alexis stroemer
After a bumpy start coming out of COVID and a crazy water leak, The Duck is now truly finding its feet. Unreversing the rooms, we’re back to having a hidden (no really, it’s hard to find) cosy late night bar space, now affectionally known as the Apollo bar, as a call back to our original venue on the spot.
Our revised venue space is by far the best layout we’ve had and since the switch in Autumn 23, we’re already hearing about some great feedback and are looking forward to establishing an amazing, one of a kind, program of events!
THE MIDDLE KINGDOM
The Duck’s second phase saw us rip out a whole load of unnecessary false walls and weird out-of-date 90s metal railings. We reversed the rooms and pushed forward with an ambitious plan for becoming a true hub for a variety of hedonistic delights.
True to Duck style, all the events were unique and feel good nights. At the same time, we unveiled an indulgently sized food option filled with burgers, ramens and macaroni cheese filled burritos.
Then COVID came down to say hello.
hausfrau on 29.10.16 | cj amos
FIRST DYNASTY
The Flying Duck first opened in 2007 and can only be described as something that was kitsch, quirky and not quite right. Our small bar space was kitted out with decor from your gran’s house, laundry hanging up to dry, paintings that exclusively only ever cost less than a fiver at a charity shop and textured (ew) wallpaper.
The Duck became known for a very strange shaped venue, Britpop-esque club nights, radio shows, hillbilly themed gigs complete with hay floors (clean up was a bitch), beach parties in the middle of January, sing-along & shout-along film screenings, special appearances from celebs a plenty, cheap Oranjeboom and free toast…a lot of free toast.
John Cameron Mitchell on 20.09.14 | peter methven
PREHISTORY
Way back in time the space that will eventually be The Flying Duck opened as The Apollo in 1991. Named as a homage to the original Apollo Theatre on Renfield Street which had been demolished 1985, our (much younger at the time) founders wanted to continue on the legacy of Renfield Street having a great space for artists. Over the years our Apollo became known as a place to haunt as people used the bar, venue and rehearsal spaces to get together, make music and have a good time.
Eventually, the keys to the Apollo had to be given up. A massive flood from the sprinkler system in the building above ruined the premises. Over the following years, the site was a number of questionable night clubs until we got the keys back in 2007.
background image | alexis stroemer