In 1980, Japanese photographer Kohei Yoshiyuki published The Park, a collection of pictures taken in Shinjuku, Aoyama and Yoyogi parks in central Tokyo.
They were scandalous images at the time – shot with 35mm infrared film, with a heavy use of flash – and documented the nocturnal, illicit sexual activities of people under the cover of darkness, where lines frequently blurred between voyeur and participant.
The book resurfaced in the early 2000s, and has become a cult document, both sexually and politically charged, depicting a side of Japan rarely seen in the 70s, when the bulk of the pictures were taken.
When barman Dom Gold, an enthusiastic amateur photographer, was coming up with a concept for his new place – a long, dark tunnel on Oldham Street – it was the obvious source of inspiration, a book which had left a lasting impression on him.
“The entire concept of the bar has been born from this book,” he says. “Kohei Yoshiyuki [was] Japan’s father of voyeurism really. It was a big inspiration from the start, and you can see it in the menu.”
And from the name. Voyeur’s menu is presented like a photography book while the walls are adorned with arty black and white pictures, some of them heading towards the risque side of the street. Yoshiyuki would likely have approved.
One drink, the Too Old To Die Young, featuring Ojo de Dias mezcal, honey, Cocchi Americano, cacao blanco and lemon oil, even comes with its own polaroid picture of the purchaser, which is then printed in front of you.
It’s a pleasing bit of theatre and you can either take the snap with you, or have it stuck up on the ‘wall of fame’ where the regular bar flies will take their places of honour.
The house’s signature serve The Voyeur, meanwhile, has been crafted with coriander infused tequila, green chili tincture, citric acid, syrup and coriander salts, a herbal-spiced slap across the chops.
Dom’s knowledge of what’s racked up on the back bar is encyclopaedic. He knows every single vessel and what it’s there for. “Every spirit is hand-picked, and there for a reason,” he says. Ask him anything, about any bottle and he’ll likely have a story to tell about it.
As well as photography and great drinks, the vibe will also call back to a recent era of decadence. “I loved the 70s, 80s period, the raunchy bravado that they had,” he says, so expect everything from Talking Heads to The Cure coming from the sound system.
Voyeur, 89 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LW
Tues-Sun, 5pm – 2am
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