Meet the members of Soho House Manchester
Before our first club in the North of England opens, we connect with some of the local creatives joining our community
Wednesday 19 November By Emma McCarthy Photography by Tom Griffiths
Nana-Kofi Kufuor
Playwright and screenwriter
Photographed at Jefes Barbers
‘I’m a Ghanaian British playwright from Stockport, currently working in TV on one of the biggest soaps in the UK. My career has been varied in the sense that I got into writing full time much later in life. My first play, “My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored”, went on a national tour, did Edinburgh Fringe and was most recently restaged this summer at the Black To Normal festival in Copenhagen.
‘I’ve been a Soho House member since 2022. I have fond memories of my first visit to DUMBO House, which coincided with a Chicago House soul selection event and didn’t end until the sun came up. I think Soho House is a place people in Manchester will love – it will be great to have somewhere to go after midnight. I’m looking forward to the food and the events – and the gym. It’s a place where I can meet people that I may not ordinally meet. It’s a place that feels like a second home to all who come, drink, eat and two-step (badly – I’m talking about myself here).
‘I love everything about my city. Our differences are what bring us together. First and foremost, before anything else, we are Mancunians – and proud of it.’
What’s your go-to dish and drink on the Soho House menu?
‘I’m a very basic man, so I like a whisky and a burger. Never fails to hit the spot.’
Is there anything else you would like your fellow members to know about you?
‘If you see me in Soho House, buy me a drink. Why not, eh? Life’s short.’
Content creator and DJ
Photographed at Piccadilly Records
‘I’m a DJ best known for blending techno, house, garage and bass into sets that blur the lines between genre and gender. I started out making videos online over a decade ago, documenting my transition, and having honest conversations around identity and visibility while being a voice for the LGBT+ community. These days, my work is more about connection on the dance floor, creating a safe space for people to feel free and let go of everyday restraints.
‘My first introduction to Soho House was back in 2013 when I visited Shoreditch House. I’d just moved to London, and walking into a place with a rooftop swimming pool in the middle of the city felt surreal to a young person from Sunderland. My best memories are definitely the moments that weren’t planned: spontaneous afterparties that turned into creative brainstorms, or bumping into people I’d admired online. You will usually find me dancing near the decks or in a cosy corner planning a new project. I like being around people who don’t take themselves too seriously, but still care deeply about what they do. For me, Soho House is a space that blurs the line between work and play. I always feel safe; people generally stay off their phones and feel present. You can sit and enjoy your privacy or you can connect with other creatives. It’s unique.
‘Manchester has a pulse like nowhere else. It’s a city raised by outsiders from surrounding small towns, big dreamers, and people who have built their own spaces from scratch. I love that people here are unpretentious, but endlessly creative; they don’t chase trends – they start them. There’s something beautifully unfiltered about Northern culture and the creative energy here is different. It’s raw, collaborative, authentic and full of soul. I’m excited to see a space that nurtures that possibility of meeting other creatives with the potential to collaborate.’
What’s your go-to dish and drink on the Soho House menu?
‘Truffle fries and a spicy Margarita; a comforting combo that never gets old.’
Is there anything else you’d like your fellow members to know about you?
‘That I’m always up for a good conversation – whether it’s about music, identity or contrast and similarities of the human experience. I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel free to be themselves and I’m always looking to collaborate with others who feel the same. If you see me DJing or just hanging around, come say hi.’
Radio presenter
Photographed at Depot Mayfield and The Warehouse Project
‘Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve been obsessed with music. In my teens, I was a rapper and signed two record deals before I was 24. Then I went into journalism, followed by three years in PR working for a wide array of artists from Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) to Sir Elton John. In 2002, I became a Radio 1 DJ, playing eclectic Asian beats from Bhangra to Asian-influenced electronica. I’ve DJed all over the world and released compilation albums in the UK and India. After Radio 1, I hosted a daily talk show on the BBC Asian Network followed by BBC Radio 5 Live where I interviewed a stellar cast of some of the world’s most creative people: Sir Billy Connolly, Sir Salman Rushdie, Marina Abramovíc, Bobby Gillespie, Emeli Sandé, and Sally Field. In 2022, I released my debut book, Let’s Talk: How To Have Better Conversations. I left the BBC in August 2025 because I needed a change, and am now finishing my second book, trying my hand at stand-up, and hosting some amazing author-led events around the UK.
‘I’ve been a Soho House member since 2009. The beauty of Soho House is you never know who you are going to meet, or when a conversation might spark an idea and introduce you to a whole new world. After the BRITS one year, my wife and I stayed at White City House and got back very late. We were very fragile, so needed the comfort of a Soho House and a wonderful brunch with friends. When my kids were young, we used to go for Sunday lunches at High Road House in Chiswick and 40 Greek Street. But the thing I am looking forward to most is making lots of new memories.
‘So much feels possible in Manchester. From the brilliant kids I’ve met at the Moss Side Fire Station boxing club, to the extraordinary spaces at Factory International, Home and Contact Theatre. The Warehouse Project is my favourite clubbing experience – not just for the sheer spectacle of it, but the inspiringly eclectic programme of DJs. Seeing Black Coffee there recently was a highlight of my year. Fashion brands like Drama Call and Clints Inc have such a unique aesthetic, which is so authentic and proudly Mancunian. I also love spots like Y2 Café in Salford with its Persian menu, recording studios upstairs and panel talks. And if you don’t spend at least one evening a week on the curry mile in Rusholme, are you really living?’
What’s your go to dish and drink on the Soho House menu?
‘I know it is not very rock n roll, but I like the banana and coffee smoothie and I also love the veggie burger with sweet potato fries. I’m a cheap date.’
Is there anything else you would like your fellow members to know about you?
‘Come and talk to me and I’ll tell you in person.’
Kya Buller
Writer, editor and presenter
Photographed at John Rylands Library
‘I was born and bred in Manchester and feel very lucky that I love my work and get to take total pride in what I do, having worked with a range of global clients to bring words and discussion to life. I’m also co-founder of The Read Room book club, which is hosting an event at the House during its opening week. We’re also taking this concept to other cities in the new year – a success that wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of Manchester’s creative and nightlife communities.
‘Soho House is a wonderful addition to Manchester and a true marker of how influential the city is globally. To have that recognised feels important. Being from a working class background and having fought very hard to break into the creative world, being part of something like this has been life-changing for me, so my first Committee member dinner is a very special memory of mine. I’ll probably be in the photobooth with my mates most of the time, or during the summer on a sunlounger (reading a book).
‘In this city, no creative idea is too big or treated as though it might never happen; instead, people offer hands, ideas and ladders for you to reach your goals. I really do think that’s intrinsic, and unique, to Manchester. It’s why I've never left it, despite being told that the opportunities are better elsewhere. I feel very held by my city.’
What’s your go-to dish and drink on the Soho House menu?
‘The rigatoni has my heart, and obviously I’m part of the Picante brigade, though I’m also partial to a posh lager.
Is there anything else you would like your fellow members to know about you?
‘I’m approachable – always looking for the next collaboration opportunity. I’m very much a “do it now and think later” kind of person, so if you want to work together we should chat.’
Tattoo artist
Photographed at Unitom bookshop
‘Tattooing has always been more than just a job for me; it’s about connection, creativity, and leaving a lasting mark in more ways than one. My career has taken me all over the world, allowing me to meet incredible people, hear their stories, and turn them into art.
‘I’ve been a member for a couple of years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The creative energy and community are unmatched. I’m really excited for Manchester to finally have a place where the city’s creative community can come together. The North is full of talent, and Soho House Manchester feels like the perfect home for that energy – a place where people can connect, collaborate, and celebrate what makes the city so special.
‘You’ll probably find me by the pool or at the bar, catching up with friends or other creatives. I love being around good energy, good conversation, and a bit of laughter – that’s where I’m happiest. Some of my best memories have been exploring new Houses in different countries and experiencing the unique vibe each one has. To me, Soho House is a creative home; a space where like-minded people can relax, recharge, and inspire each other. It’s uplifting, inclusive, and always full of energy. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you do what you do.
‘I love the tight-knit community of the North – there’s a real sense of pride, passion, and togetherness. People here look out for each other, and that grounded, genuine energy is something I carry into everything I do.’
What’s your go-to dish on the Soho House menu?
‘It’s got to be the steak; they cook it perfectly every time. I usually pair it with a glass of Coke and plenty of lemons. Simple, but spot on.’
Is there anything else you’d like your fellow members to know about you?
‘I’m always up for helping others or sharing creative ideas. Whether it’s a project, a collaboration, or just a good chat about art and life, I love connecting with people who are passionate about what they do.’
Christine Cort OBE
Cultural connector and director at CC&Friends
Photographed at CyanLines
‘I’m from Blackburn, Lancashire, and run my own company – CC&Friends – working on projects I find inspiring across the world, from London to Leeds, to New York and Seattle. I co-founded the biennial Manchester International Festival (MIF) and Chew’s Yard, a busy food hall, secret garden and events space in a previously unloved area in Preston city centre. I also sit on the Board of Eat Well, who provide chef-made meals for people most in need across Greater Manchester. One of my current projects is CyanLines; an extraordinary new initiative that aims to connect Manchester’s green spaces into a network of over 100 miles of walking and cycling routes, to deliver a greener, healthier and more climate-resilient city for the future.
‘I am often described as a disruptive thinker who makes seemingly impossible projects a reality. The Sunday Times Alternative Rich List named me as one of only 30 other people who celebrate “the important stuff in life” – striving to make the world a better place. At the start of 2025, I was named in the King’s New Year’s Honours List and was awarded an OBE for services to the arts and culture in the UK.
‘I’ve been a Soho House member for around five years. Manchester is ready to embrace the House – I’m interested to see generations of bright minds sharing ideas. I will likely be there for breakfast, lunch and dinner – and everything in between. I spent a lot of time in the early days at 40 Greek Street. It was an exciting place to be… packed full of actors and producers. It was refreshing to be able to meet like-minded people late into the night and conjure up crazy ideas – some of my best ones happened there.
‘Manchester has changed beyond recognition over the last decade. We have so many amazing places to eat out now and great places to stay, and Soho House Manchester will be another incredible addition. It’s the people and the mindset that make Manchester the special place it is – the no-nonsense-anything-is-possible-here approach. And it is.’
What’s your go-to dish and drink on the Soho House menu?
‘Always a fish dish for me, so ideally ChalkStream trout, chard and salsa verde with a crisp, cold glass of Albariño.’
Is there anything else you would like your fellow members to know about you?
‘I am terrified of elastic bands.’
Explore Soho House Manchester and apply for membership