Jan Oldenburg: Tributes to Night and Day Café founder and Manchester music scene legend

Fans of the Northern Quarter’s iconic Night and Day Café are saddened to hear that its founder Jan Oldenburg died at the age of 71 over the weekend. 

The venue released a statement on Twitter confirming Jan’s death. 

A message from everyone at Night & Day Cafe. pic.twitter.com/lKp9XZqNyA

— Night & Day Cafe (@nightanddaycafe) October 15, 2018

The statement recalled a time before the Northern Quarter was a popular part of Manchester known for its bars and music venues as it is today. 

He saw possibilities on Oldham Street when it was all but derelict, before the Northern Quarter had its name and before developers caught 

Jan opened Night and Day in 1991 as a chip shop and over the years he worked tirelessly to turn it into one of the city’s most loved spots for live music.  

The venue is well known for serving great food during the day and turning into a bar and music hotspot at night. 

The venue has played host to some of the biggest names in music over the past 27 years, including Manchester music legends Johnny Marr, Liam Fray and Guy Garvey. 

Visiting MMU lecturer and Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has long been a champion of Night and Day and has previously called it the “Jewel in Manchester’s Crown”. He has also said that Elbow wouldn’t be where it is today without it. 

Fans of the venue and bands who have played there over the years have been paying tribute to Jan on Twitter. 

Manchester band Black Sonic Revolver tweeted: “We are so sorry to hear this. The Night & Day Cafe has provided us all a stage, a place to hang & a cultural hub of creative, beautiful people. We have always been made to feel so welcome, and we are so grateful this legendary venue is here in Manchester. RIP & thank you, Jan.”

This man is responsible for my favourite venue in Manchester.
Thank You Jan, and you join the great big gig in the sky. #NightAndDay

— Dale Paul (@DGDOOM) October 15, 2018

Andy Cotton said on Twitter: “I was one of the first people to have the upmost privilege to work with Jan when he first moved into Oldham Street, I remember him telling me after his first day as owner his vision. A man with heart, belief and courage. A true genius who saw what we now call the northern quarter.”