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Birmingham Nightclubs of the Past - Memories

I don't think you're right Stitcher. I used to live in Norfolk Road very near the Ambassadors Club in 1958. At that time I am pretty sure that the Rainbow House Hotel was on the corner of Portland/Hagley Road, as I stayed there with my sister just before we left Birmingham in 1963. It later became the Rainbow Casino.
 
The Rainbow Casino was owend by the Morells not sure about the spelling in the 60s and the doorman at the time was a friend of mine Jimmy Kennedy and you would not mess with him thats for sure:)Mossy
 
I am not sure enough to argue about what it was, but whatever it was, it was where the hotel is now. I eat at the rainbow every now and again and next time I am there I will ask one of the Morrels who own it and find out for sure. If I amwrong I will apologise.
 
Hello Mossey, I dont remember the man you mentioned working the door but it was and still is owned by Harry Morrell.
 
Hi Stitcher - I have just looked up an old diary of mine dated 1964. Seems like I got my dates wrong, it was 1964 not 1963 that I stayed in the hotel. It was called Portland House Hotel at that date. I think it might have become the Rainbow House Hotel and then the Rainbow Casino. I stand to be corrected if I am wrong, after all it was some years ago :rolleyes: Judy
 
There was still a Portland House hotel until recently. I will be going to the Rainbow for a meal in the near future and I will find out for sure, But I am certain that when I was a mini cab driver in the late 50s early 60s the Rainbow was on my right as I stopped at the end of Portland Rd where it meets Hagley Rd. By the way, the restaurant at the Rainbow is quite nice.
 
The Rainbow As Never Ever Moved From The Corner Of Portland Rd
If Any Think It Had An Extention Added To It
Itwas There When I Was A Little Whipper Snapper, Many Moons Ago .
 
You've reminded me, the gambling club on Hagley Road was the Rainbow. Lots of you remember it even if the memories are different. It was on the right coming out of town near Portland Road. It was definitely 1962 or earlier when I was there. I think before nightclubs became legal. The night clubs used to fill after the pubs closed at 10pm. I only went a few times - I found it boring because most people were only interested in gambling. I did put sixpence in the slot machine once and won 2/6d - the price of a drink.
The Bermuda also had slot machines - perhaps only one. I think knowing we were breaking the laws (silly ones) made going there a bit more exciting than going to the later clubs.:explode:
 
Astonian, I have asked three retired Cab Drivers and an old bus driver who worked the Hagley Rd. They all seem to think the same as me about the original location of The Rainbow. I was sure, but you have made me doubt myself. Lets leave it for now and I will ask one of the Morrells as soon as I can.
 
Dilly, thanks for helping to restore my confidence in my memory, It was a long time ago and I am getting old now. I will find out for sure from one of the Morrells.
 
My husband says it was on the Hagley road Edgbaston although it was one of the few places he's not been to. Will ask his older brothers, they should know. TTFN. Jean.
 
Mossy as you know my dad used to train the boxers at the Holte and I used to go with him sometimes to have a drink in the Holte. I am sure Mr Morrell the father used to be one of my dads friends and used to bring one of his sons ,Frankie rings a bell, I think he used to do a bit of boxing.
 
HI Stitcher,
Yes You Are Correct Regarding The Morrells ,And Old Kennrdy, The Rainbow Club As Always Been On The Corner
For Many Years And In The Very Early Days They Had An Extention Put On Bringing It Closer To The Corner, On The Subject On The Portlnd Hotel Which Was On The Hagley Rd Further Towards Gillot Rd Well Passed The Rain bowAnd Portland Rd This Hotel Was
Owned By Mr George ,AWell Known Millionare Whom Had The Time In The Eighties
Owned The Portland Hotel And Afew More Hotels And Also The Private Members Club In Moseley Called The Gables Which Was Men Only Club ,And One More Hotel
Which I Forgot To Mention At The Time And He Still OWNS iT The Very Plush Hotel Called The Eaton Which Is Just Along From The Eaton George Sold ThePortland Hotel In The Early Eighties And Eventualay Sold The Gables Off To A Indian Consortem
With in A Year Of Selling The Portlands I Have Socialy Mixed With George And His Emediate Family And Have Worked For Him He As Got Two Sons But They Did Not Want The Hotels Nor Clubs ,One
 
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The Rainbow Casino was on the corner of Portland Rd and Clarendon Rd fronting Hageley Rd. To my knowledge it has always been owned by Harry Morrell.

In the late sixties we demolished two houses for him, to make his car park bigger. One in Portland Rd and one in Claredon Rd. He had a great deal of grief given him by "Shelter" (the homeless charity) over the demolition of these two houses and because of this we had to start work on a Sunday.

The one thing I remember about the man was, he was a gentleman. He came on site one day and asked me how we were being treated by his staff. I told him that "we hadn't seen any of them". Ten minutes later two waitresses came out with two trays of teas and sandwiches. It was the same each day for the rest of the job.

Phil
 
Phil still got 2 packs of Playing cards from there Green Back & Blue Backed I try and find them out.:)

The No 7 Portland Rd Bus went from the Bus Stop near our house, very handy in those days.
 
Patty i didn't know the Morells personally,an old girl friend at the time went for a job as a a trainee croupier,she didnt last long lest said the better, in the job i mean
Also i said an old mate of mine worked the door there in the 60s i put the wrong name it was Bobby Kennedy and you would not mess with Bob

Astonian mentioned a club in Mosely it reminded me of the Oxford Cub it was owened by the sister of Don Partridge the busker (ROSEY 'O' ROSEY''
i met don in Brixam when he first moved down there about 20 odd years ago i have been down to see him a few times and some friends of mine in Brixam tell me he is still there:)...Moss
 
Hi Stitcher - I have been away for a couple of days and have only just caught up with the replies to the question of where the Rainbow Casino was. I am really confused now as I was sure I was right, however from the replies it looks as though I am outnumbered, so please accept my apologies if I was wrong!

Portland House Hotel was on the corner of Portland Road and Hagley Road, and was on your right coming up Hagley Road from town. pmc1947 says that the Rainbow Casino was on the corner of Portland Road and Clarendon Road facing Hagley Road. So, perhaps the two houses were on opposite sides of the end of Portland Road - at least that's all I can think.
I do know for definite that I stayed at the Portland House Hotel for one night in February 1964 and it was somewhere near the corner of Portland Road (not near Gillott Road as Astonian says).
 
Mossy

I used the Oxford Club in Moseley, occasionally. I stopped going there, after I lost two mates in there one night because it was that dark.

Phil
 
Hi all

Yep, the Rainbow Club was on the Hagley Road, was on the corner on the right hand side coming out of town.
Think it is still some type of Casino, but haven't been up that way for ages.

Chris:)
 
Before I visited the Rainbow Club I had only been to the Cedar Club on Constitution Hill. I remember the Rainbow being exactly where everyone
says it was. It was quite different to the Cedar Club I remember. I suppose originally it was a residence.
 
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