Went to Manray for their Automatique / New Wave night. I wasn't alive during that movement in music but I'm almost positive that Fall Out Boy, Nirvana, Dolly Parton, and Gorillaz as well as music from Heated Rivalry were not a part of it. If I wanted the generic playlist for Club Cafe, I would've gone there. read more

This is a wonderful alternative dance venue where you can be yourself. The staff are wonderful. The drinks reasonably priced. The music was right on the mark. Not a bad vibe the entire night. read more

Had such a great time here!! Wow! The staff was super friendly from the start and at the bar. Music was great, vibes were great. Had a cocktail off the menu and a beer, stayed for a couple hours -- danced, met some nice ppl. And I'm glad I popped in! read more

What a fun place to let loose! They have disco nights, goth nights, drag shows, and more. I've been here a couple time, always fun. I will say they need better AC because when we come, we SWEAT from dancing. During the summer, we'd have to go outside and take cool-air breaks. LGBTQ+ friendly. Bar is never too crowded, always been able to get a drink in under 5 minutes. Bartenders, bouncers, and check-in people are cool. Their vibe matches this place very well. There's usually a cover. For me, it's ranged from $5-$15. If you're looking for a fun time, with a chill crowd, I'd recommend going out here. read more

Manray - a group of people dancing in front of a large screen - Dance Clubs Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Saturday nights are fun! Everyone goes. EVERYONE from college student to senior citizen. It's definitely odd but it's really fun. read more

i was a regular of the original spot. It was the coolest spot in Cambridge. Well this spot tries to capture that vibe. Unfortunately this generation just isn't that cool. The sound system was not very good, music was so so. Sorry to see them try to capture a vibe that probably will never be there again. More bass in their sound system and better music would help! read more

Security guard eyed me the whole time i was in line, as soon as i got to the front where someone else was letting people in, he took over. I handed him a passport card (federal ID) and then he proceeded to put X's on my hands to signal that I was under 21 when i'm literally 22 the other person i was with had no problem, i'm also older than him so that's confusing?? when i got inside they let me know the X's meant i was under and couldn't drink so i stayed maybe an hour and a half and then left bc this high key ruined my vibe. Someone I met up w there told me the same thing happened to her but she fought it. tbh i just thought the guy was weird and i'm rlly salty abt not being to have the same fun everyone i was with was having idk if he misread my bday or if he thought my ID was fake but i promise that if it was in fact fake, that would've been a fat federal crime due to the fact that it's a Passport ID which can be used to fly domestic in place of a real ID/drivers license read more

A fun and wild (but safe) place to be who you really are. If you like leather and hot dance music, this is the place.

I loved reading through the old reviews but wanted to add to the more recent ones as well! Came to the "new" Manray for the first time on a Saturday Heroes night (80s new wave/synthpop etc) last weekend. It's in the old Improv Boston space but has been so redone it's completely unrecognizable. It's a really nice space, 3 bars total (2 in the main room), a stage, and a smaller lounge/chill room with its own bar and very good air conditioning-- a nice place to take a break when the dance floor gets too hot! Our drinks were surprisingly good for a club, and reasonably priced as well. Sound system was good. If you've been to any similar nights around Boston, you'll recognize the DJ --so I knew what to expect! The crowd ranged widely from college age to maybe 70 year olds?? And everyone was having a great time, with a fun, safe, and very inclusive atmosphere. We came relatively early -- 10:30? And surprisingly there were enough people already there that it didn't feel awkward (so many places are completely empty before 11 or so!!). They have different themed nights each day of the week so check the calendar/instagram to find something that suits you. We will definitely be back!! NOTE -- Normally I would deduct a star for this, but I really like this place so I won't: my one complaint is about the entrance/coat check process. When you enter, you go over to the register to pay the cover, and they ask if you want to add coat check. Which is awesome! Avoids cash and streamlines the process! However, when you pay the POS has the system where it asks you if you want to add tip. 18%, 20%, or 25% iirc. So my mind goes, huh, I do like to tip the coat check people a couple bucks, 18% is a LOT but hey, there's a big line behind me, I don't want to fumble with entering a different amount, and I'm feeling generous-- so I tipped 18% on the entry and coat check for 2 (which was like $15 each for the cover and $2 each for the coat check). Then, you get around the corner to the coat check, and there is a sign saying, "any tips left at the registers don't go to coat check, please leave cash or ask for more Venmo" ........... So... who the f did I tip??? It feels a little shady to have that sign AFTER, versus having a sign at the register saying, this tip goes here, coat check tip is in cash or whatnot. Left kind of a bad taste in my mouth -- if im gonna be extra generous I want to know who it's going to read more

This must be the place! Great music/ambiance/crowd/themes. Discrete location comes alive at night. Crowd definitely skews older but its 100% better than the loud drunk college student-filled bars and clubs around Boston. Fantasy Factory nights are always a good time. Finally, a place for the goths and gays to get down! read more

Manray - Dance Clubs Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

horrible. i'm under 21 (20) so needed a wristband. which yes is fine other than the fact all security wants to follow around the whole time lol. can't even use the bathroom without it either. just made me super anxious never experienced it before. wasted $40 for my mom and i to go in for only 40mjn and left. would try to look at others in the area before considering! read more

This is the best club I've ever been to. Music is amazing, clientele is dedicated, and JoJo on the door is spectacular

Really great space with an amazing sound system. I took a drive down yesterday to hear a friend DJ. I had a great night out. The bartenders were excellent and great to talk to! I can't wait to go back! read more

The management's response to concerns about lost articles of clothing at the coat check is appalling. Management ignores this concern because they just want your money and don't want to admit their faults. This club doesn't deserve the name because it is the opposite of what the original Manray was. It is riculously small with zero room to dance or even walk, filled with uptight staff that don't know how to let people enjoy the nightlife and bathrooms that are so hounded by security staff you would think your committing a crime every time you enter. read more

Thursday, last one of the month. It was drag night. This could be big. This has potential. Staff was on the ball, all around. Word. DJ PJ was on the box and the place was thumpin'. Managers/Owners were visible, accessible and it just seemed right, not like my parents were there to make sure nobody was dropping laundry. Just part of the crowd with the crowd in hand. The place is Safe. The show? It was the box of chocolates we call a drag show and every piece was gorgeous. The Hostess hosted, the acts acted and all was right with the world. Oh, and those two dancers? Simply captivating. My bartender, a fine upstanding young man with interesting ink and a sincere smile, made me a Manhattan... And then BAM! it all went to hell. NO cherries. Wait a minute, what? NO CHERRIES!?!? WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH THAT ALL ABOUT?!?! Must I bring my own travel size jar of Luxardos? Is the proper garnish of a classic libation the responsibility of the patron? When did that start? Is that a COVID thing or something? What if I ordered the Manhattan's life partner, the Martini? Would it just sit there, bereft of onions or olives or a slice of pepper? A glorified shot of warm vodka and vermouth. May as well serve it in a paper bag. But all in all, it's a good time at Manray. I'll be back. read more

Amazing music, dancers, the bartenders are so kind and respectful. The drinks always get me the perfect amount of drunk.

MANRAY where you can be a star or be a spectator. Where you can be alone or with chosen family. Where you're free to dance like no one is watching, unless you want them to. ‍ read more

this place is not good, awful vibe and empty most nights, staff is rude and cover is CRAZY high

had the absolute displeasure of getting KICKED OUT OF THE CLUB FOR NOT WEARING ALL BLACK. even though on the flyer it says "creative attire encouraged, neon night, make sure to wear all of your neon stuff!". looked at manrays story on instagram & saw people wearing blue shirts, blue jeans, neon arm bands, etc. but i was turned away for a "blue top" & "blue jeans" (which was blue, yellow, and gold to add to the NEON theme they advertised), even though i was wearing pieces of leather, neon kandi bracelets, multiple necklaces, had my scene emo hair & everything. was feeling shocked & not to be this guy but i feel like i was discriminated against honestly (only trans person in my group). watched people wearing sparkly outfits which were not black get into the club directly after me. on nights where its said "minimum all black" ive gotten in with my creative attire so i dont know what the difference was today. not a bouncer ive ever seen before so maybe it was just them. read more

I frequented Manray back between 2001-2005 between the ages of 19-23. I was devastated when they closed, because this club had incredible energy and the theme nights were so fun too. I'll never forget the time I ran into Marilyn Manson in the bathroom because Dita Von Teese was performing her burlesque show that night (they were together at the time). There was also the time the coat check guy alerted me that Amber would be performing that evening (I was clueless) but thrilled to be able to see her perform her classic hits at a time when her music was still on regular rotation. Fast forward to today. I was absolutely thrilled to hear that Manray was opening back up in a new location. I couldn't believe when I walked in the door and saw the same DJ (Chris Ewen) from many moons ago spinning his tunes. A lot of the bar staff are the same too. Lindsey is my favorite though because she memorizes my drink and gives it to me before I even ask . It was as though I was teleported back to the early 2000's. I cannot say enough about the present day staff too. The door guy Ronin is the nicest bouncer I've ever met. He is pleasant and welcoming and individually greets each person with a smile and provides well wishes for a lovely evening. He makes every person that attends feel VIP. The TVs are always playing some sort of bat shit crazy video, but that's just part of the fun. The crowds and people in attendance are always so chill, fun, and carefree. Every time I go I meet someone new! I can't recommend this place enough! read more

Fun bar decent amount of space on the dance floor very specific vibe fun that they play a lot of 70's music

Ah yes, my second home. How I miss you! You were once the center of a small, but exciting universe...a communal black box that brought all of us freaks together...a stage on which we could all be whatever we wanted, without worry. For you were the great hearth around which our community could gather, listen to good music, and get mind-blowingly drunk. You let us play in your rooms, flyer your walls, ash on your floors. You were the scene of many beginnings and endings, both good and bad. Lest we forget all those we crushed on, hooked up with...all those we lost. You welcomed us, one and all (well, as long as we wore black.) And, who can forget your distinct fragrance; that mixture of cloves, stale booze, and cat pee. A seemingly disgusting odor that was actually quite refreshing in a strange sort of way. It was almost as if it were alive, attaching itself to your clothes and spreading throughout your hair. Even now, on those lonely nights when I gaze longingly at my box of latex and corsets, unworn and dusty...I wish that I could smell you again one last time. But now, what has become of you? Oh the shame! You have been razed, destroyed...your foundations buried. They took you away from us. One look today and the evidence of your former fabulous life is no more. There is talk that you might rise again, like a phoenix from the ashes. But if you do, you will undoubtedly be different than you were all those years ago. Regardless, I will still visit you and wish you luck, hoping that the next generation will love you as much as I have. RIP ManRay --- 21 Brookline Street Cambridge, MA read more

Many people don't know there were actually two Man-Ray clubs. The other was in Pompano Beach, FL on Federal Hwy (what we call Rte 1). So I began my Man-Ray experience with that club.. which had swing nights (dancing not screwing), goth nights, fetish nights, and Campus (pretty much college gay nights). The Florida Man-Ray was a bit swankier than the Boston Man-ray, with some deep 40's looking comfy round booth and tiny blue chandeliers, but that's as much as I'll say about that club, despite my wealth of stories, since I'm reviewing this club. Both clubs are now closed, but I'm still writing a review, damnit. My friend Dan and I (and whoever else came with us) went only on Saturday nights, so I cannot speak for other nights. On Saturdays, there were three rooms, the main dance room which featured a pop-techno feel an then a late night drag show, a laid back room with a couple of couches and a pool table, and a Dungeon like-room that had a stage that was also a cage (for cage dancing) and some pedestals (for showoffs and it was usually the same two guys in leather pants and black eyeliner) and a grouchy bartender (who we loved anyway) and 80s alternative music (and some current stuff the had the same sort of feel). The third room is the room we hung out most in and my experience at Man-Ray is that we would just start dancing when we got there and not stop dancing until we got kicked out. I remember occasionally the DJ wold play "Coin Operated Boy" and no one knew how to dance to that so the dance floor would clear out and so Dan and I would just Polka. That's right, bitches! Polka. Ha... so if you saw the drunk chick and her favorite blond gay (who loved to hike up his pants and show his hairy ankles like it was the sexiest thing ever) doing the polka on the dance floor when no one else was dancing. That was me. Except to pee. OH the bathrooms! Downstairs there was a coat check and the bathrooms, although there were separate male and female bathrooms, it didn't matter, everyone used both and no one cared. Everyone went to Man-Ray... gays. straights. doctors. lawyers. yuppies. drag queens. old. young. everybody. If you know another place like this in or around Boston, please do share. I don't think I've been to many-a-nightclub since Man-Ray gave way to stupid Condos... and my figure has suffered for the lack of dancing. Oh, Man-Ray... you will be missed. read more

It's sad that this building has made way for new condos. I wonder if the owners know what once stood on location and what happened there. You were guaranteed a good time when you went to Manray. read more

I realize that this may come as a shock, but I used to come here. Yes, I was here 1-2 nights per week many many years ago. I don't eulogize this place the way I do Deli Haus and Gargoyles, but ManRay was still great - especially the final night when I destroyed some jackass's suit. Funny story there, I promise. Alright, by the time it closed people weren't doing smack there anymore, midget sex in the bathrooms had faded into legend, and Hot Topic fashions were becoming more and more prevalent. Still, Chris's sets were a staple of my weekly musical needs, and if he spun something I just wasn't into, ManRay offered places I could go to escape. Not something I can say about enough clubs. (tip to club owners, more speakers = fewer peaceful options and more phase issues) Anyway ManRay, you filled a need a of mine for many years and have yet to find anything to take your place. I do miss you. read more

Miss this place so much. Great place in the day. Saturday Nights are still not the same. I also remember when 80's night was on Friday AND Manray closed at 1. I guess i am Old. Stil..Whenever i pass by the old location, and see the construction, it is painful. Thanks for the memories read more

There is a void in the greater Boston Night Life scene! This was "it". Saturday nights were so fun, with great music, fun crowd, hot men.... strange drag queens, and everything else you could imagine... If those walls could talk... I miss ManRay and still have been searching for a replacement place to go dancing on Saturdays.... read more

Go-go boys in the house! I came here when my friends Rick and Brandi were in town. After a VERY unsuccessful gay club hunt; resulting in much hilarity along the way, we settled on Man Ray. A bit of a youngish crowd, but it's also a very relaxed and unpretentious crowd. It's always a blast on college night and although not the best music, it's definitely booty shakeable. read more

When I was sixteen, I went to the Watertown registry to get my driver's license and was failed coming out of the parking space. When I was eighteen, I went back to get my state ID so I could go to Manray. Nothing really comes close. read more

I still miss this place. I met a ton of people there, I got to dj there, was in way too many embarrassing performances, inhaled more clove smoke than must be legal, I probably inhaled toxic black mold from the walls there....so many memories just turned into fairly mundane looking condos. It's been a few years and there still hasn't been an even remotely adequate replacement. read more

This review is mostly pointless at this point as the place has closed and the building has been torn down. All I have to say is this: Best dance club ever. To those of you who though CBGB's closing was sad. ManRay closing was orders of magnitude worse. I will miss this place forever. read more

This place was full of great, good, odd, and terrifying memories. God I miss it. When it died so did a part of me. A part I've never had the chance to express since. It is sorely missed. It grew tamer as the years went on, and to be honest had transformed by the end. Gone was the signature Hell Night, more of a hot topic emo crowd in the end, but for all its imperfections it was home two nights a week. It was the first place I saw a midget, a drag queen, a leather mask, electric and duct tape as clothing. The bathrooms were a horror, but also slightly interesting. Everyone did their own thing alone, but somehow together. read more

Honestly I've never been here. I wanted to come but probably wouldn't have been welcome because of my ex and her friends. But this definitely was the Mecca of goth clubs in Boston. However I have been to the reunion events and had some fun there (that's why I'm giving this a 5). I can only imagine how the real ManRay was. read more

Thank you for giving us a place to let our freak flags fly.

ManRay was epic. Legendary. Its passing was cause for great sadness among the underground in Boston. RIP, ManRay.

I saw nirvana here before they were anything. Bummer that this place is gone.

I used to hang out here a few times in my wilder dancing phase. Great place to bring a girl even on Campus nights, because the music was always decent and the crowd was always interesting. I think this state has really hit bottom when clubs like this gets squeezed out. Maybe in the next couple of years of a real estate meltdown we can see more interesting venues pop up like mushrooms after a thunderstorm. Is that what it takes to get good clubs into a city? read more

Me-yow. Man Ray is where the freaks meet in Cambridge. This club is nothing to look at from the outside, but inside, you never know what you're going to see, what with the goth, gay and fetish scenes meeting up here. It's several clubs in one, and the labyrinth-like complex confuses me a little. It's also pricey, and most nights have a dress code - and that means vinyl, not slacks! read more

I used to love this place, Thursdays and Saturdays. You can hear Chris Ewen, who used to spin in the back room, several places around town. Currently he's running "Heroes" upstairs at Axis on Saturdays. So if you miss the indie music, check that out. read more

Fetish nights, gay nights, new wave & dancepop blended together... it was a great place. Be aware that last night (Saturday the 30th) was the last night they were open. Make way for the luxury condominiums! *groan* read more