The Time George Best Bought a Nightclub Just So He’d Never Pay for Drinks Again
Some footballers buy cars, some buy mansions, and then there was George Best, the man who decided the ultimate luxury was… never having to pay for a pint again.
Yep, this is the very real story of how one of football’s greatest ever players casually bought a nightclub just to keep the party flowing on his terms.
Manchester, 1970s: The Rockstar Footballer Era
At the time, George Best wasn’t just Manchester United’s golden boy, he was Britain’s first true football superstar. Think David Beckham levels of fame, but with the nightlife of a rock guitarist on tour. He was the kind of guy who could walk into any bar in Manchester and have drinks lined up for him without even asking.
But Best wasn’t satisfied with just free drinks from fans. Oh no. He wanted a permanent VIP pass… to every night.
“I Might As Well Buy the Place”
One night, after another marathon party session, Best joked to a friend that he should just buy the bar they were drinking in so he’d never have to pay again. For most people, that’s a drunken throwaway line. For George Best, it was the start of a business move or, more accurately, a lifestyle upgrade.
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A few weeks later, he actually did it. Best bought a Manchester nightclub and named it Slack Alice’s.
From Joke to Iconic Party Spot
Slack Alice’s wasn’t just a club; it was the place to be in Manchester. Footballers, models, pop stars, anyone who wanted a night out with the country’s most glamorous sportsman made their way there. The music was loud, the champagne flowed, and Best was always in the middle of it all.
And yes, his original mission was complete, he never paid for a drink there again. If anything, he went in the opposite direction, running up massive tabs for friends, strangers, and anyone who wanted to join in the fun.
More Than a Club – A George Best Legacy
Owning Slack Alice’s didn’t make Best a fortune. In fact, financially, it was more of a champagne fountain than a cash machine. But for George Best, it wasn’t about the money, it was about making memories, living life at full speed, and always having somewhere open at 3 AM when he fancied another round.
And that’s George Best in a nutshell: a man who turned a throwaway joke into a piece of footballing folklore.
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