Birmingham Nightclubs of the Past - Memories

[Peter1]

I frequented the Rum Runner, Rebeccas and Barbarellas in the early '70s. The RR casino entrance was down at the left side of the alley. You had to look back to see it from the club entrance. I never did go into the Casino, but shuffled around on the dance floor, leaned up the pillars and made many new friends there. I should still have a Rum Runner card in my memorabilia (stuff shoved in a box somewhere, never to be found when searched for). I am pretty sure that it has a black footprint on it. No, I'm on a quest!

My friend (wife's cousin) Derek (RIP) and I used to escort his girfriend Anna (RIP) into Barbarellas, where she worked behind the upper bar up beyond the dance floor. We spent may hours there drinking and on the crowded dance floor strutting some pretty embarrassing moves in a "sartorial nightmare" of clothes that I wouldn't be seen dead in today!

We saw many big name groups play. One of the most memorable and completely different to the mainstream acts of the day, was the Drifters. They put on a great show with a drum solo during the act lasting several minutes while the performers took an off stage break. I still can't get "down at the boardwalk out of my head"! Immediate visions of those nights at Barbarellas spring to mind, the moment I hear that tune.

One evening as Dek and I were entering Barbarellas, a ruckus broke out with two bouncers just inside the front entrance, Barry and ?, who were outnumbered. Other club goers were just walking past into the club, but we stepped to assist with the ejection of the undesirables. We were never allowed to pay for anything again after that night.

In '73-'74 I worked on vehicles by day and for Star Taxi in York Road Erdington by night, so frequenting all of the pubs and clubs around Brum was the norm. I have no idea what fares would be today, but private hire car far from Erdington into town was £1 for the approximate 4.6 mile trip up the Aston Expressway and it was pretty lucrative going back and forth after the pubs closed and the clubs filled up and closed again. We also encountered the IRA bombings in the city, which were scary times for all.

Politically incorrect in these times, but perhaps the only way to describe one very well-known character, known as "Barry the Queer", who hung out on Broad street. If you frequented "town" in those days, you will most certainly remember Barry as being flamboyant and larger than life, in times where society wasn't at all accepting.

So, for those of us who grew up and became adults during those times, there were many firsts as dare I say, "trendsetters" much to the disdain of our parents from their more staid old ways. To their defence, they had missed out on a chunk of life due to WWII interrupting their young adulthood antics. If the kids today think that they are doing something new, they would do well to use their cell phones to search and check where it happened first and the dates.

Despite having immigrated to Canada back in late '74 and having traveled across many countries, the most fun that I ever had was in those days as a young adult in Birmingham and I do use the term "adult" rather loosely, because there are accounts for many antics of those times, that I am bound never to post anywhere!

It was really great to read your story - I recall so much from your commnents - Birmingham was a fabulous place in the 70's as was Moseley where I lived.

 

[Terence David Lines]

Did you explain to him that you had been drinking there since you were 14 . Cheek of the man to ask your age .

The strange thing at 18 I only looked about 15 years old. I must have looked about 12 when I started using the Temple Bar. Most of us at that time had our Tonic Mohair suits made by Edward Lehman by the Silver Blades ice rink so I assumed that the bar staff thought I must be over 18 years old too be a sharp dressed man.

 

[savory]

I went with 2 girls that I worked with at Edward Grey Dept. Store in Bull Street to the Brum Cavern a couple of times. I think this was in Small Heath, just off the main road.

I saw the Cheetahs there and also met my husband there.He asked me for a dance as I was left out and my answer was "Yes, okay if you will put this packet of cigarettes in your pocket while we dance" !!! We have now been together since 1964.

As I lived in Four Oaks in Sutton I had to leave early to get the bus into town and then my last bus home was at 10.05 pm in those days.

Does anyone know if its still there?

I too loved the Brum Kavern went there twice a week from 1964 probably met you in the toilet being sick through cherry bs.

 

[Toni62]

Remember Peppermint place i also remember Chaplins and Faces all around the Fiveways area if my memory serves me correct.

Peppermint place Mondays, Wednesdays then up to liberty's

 

[Missy74]

When I worked at the Rum Runner in the 60's, it was spoke about a lot that the Krays had been in.

Ann

hi ann, i believe my uncle "gay john" had some nights to remember in that club

 

[Terence David Lines]

hi ann, i believe my uncle "gay john" had some nights to remember in that club

Futrells gave the Krays the look and the Krays went back to London the story goes. Gay John hope he never visited the Troc In Temple Street story has it the Mods used to Roll them the term used. I think it meant to rob them.

 

[Richard Dye]

Futrells gave the Krays the look and the Krays went back to London the story goes. Gay John hope he never visited the Troc In Temple Street story has it the Mods used to Roll them the term used. I think it meant the robbed them.

It did!

 

[Kathy52]

The name of club at the swan centre was the Cavendish Later Bloomers its a bingo hall now

I was at the lacarnoone Friday night in the 80s can’t remember exactly it was a henparty met a chap there we danced and kissed. My name is Kathy. I know it’s a long shot but does it jog anyone’s memory thanks

 

[Kathy52]

Hi was that you do you remember I was with a group of girls I had loose permed hair black skirt white blouse.

 

[Terence David Lines]

. Even in my Mod days I avoided the Lacarno like the plague . I always thought of the Lacarno as a down market venue went once 1964, once was enough.

 

[Kathy52]

Anyone remember carol stevens hen night on a Friday at the lacarno in the 1980s be nice to hear about that special night bring back memories

Anyone remember Carol Stevens hen night at the lacarno Hurst St one Thursday night in the 80s the boys from her future husbands stag night all turned up. Memories. Hey nice memories. Anyone there at that time

 

[Taxi Tom]

My dad was a dj (known as Micky Dunne) at the Ringway club, which was owned by the Malarky (not sure about spelling) brothers in the 60s. Although it was rough he was well looked after. They lent my mum and dad the money for a deposit on their first house.

Stars like Lionel Blair and his sister used to got there. And groups starting out such as Raymond Froggett and Hobsons Choice used to play there. The rhythm player for Raymond Froggett borrowed my dad's guitar when they went to London to record their song 'Red Balloon', and that was the last my dad saw of that!

The other dj was Andy Ferriss.

He later played at the Ringway, the Factory and Wolverhampton Wanderers social club which was awarded the club of the year, that was were he first met Roy Wood and the originators of ELO.

My mum worked at Castaways, where she was a cashier and met lots of stars such as Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Scot Walker and many more.

The stories are rushing back for my dad after reading your posts and dictating mine!

Sarah

The Ringway Club Bromsgrove Street was indeed owned by John Malarkey )sic) and before that was Pink Elephant..... later Brendan Joyce became owner of Garry Owen club in small heath. John visited many times from his hotel in Salt Hill Galway.... think it was called Ocean Wave.... visited in 1970's once with subbie called Brian O'Hara (Selly Oak)...who did all bricks on Metropole Hotel at NEC for Bryant's. Brian used to train as amateur boxer with Brendan Joyce in 1960's so I always got in club

 

[Barr_Beacon]

If I recall, Bogart's was shut down by a court order in May, 1981 (Sunday Mercury report). The reporter called it a 'Discotheque' and said it '...had been a magnet for disco enthusiasts'.

Sad news about Wilko Johnson. Dr Feelgood played at Bogart's in September, 1974...

 

[Covroad]

If I recall, Bogart's was shut down by a court order in May, 1981 (Sunday Mercury report). The reporter called it a 'Discotheque' and said it '...had been a magnet for disco enthusiasts'.

Sad news about Wilko Johnson. Dr Feelgood played at Bogart's in September, 1974...

View attachment 175396

RIP Wilko, a master guitarist very unique style ; the Story of the Jam was on Sky Arts last night and Wilko featured in the show.
Back to Bogarts spent many a Friday and Saturday night there , downstairs in the Keller first then upstairs (if you could get in) later. Fantastic place brings back great memories .

 

[Time Traveller 66]

If I recall, Bogart's was shut down by a court order in May, 1981 (Sunday Mercury report). The reporter called it a 'Discotheque' and said it '...had been a magnet for disco enthusiasts'.

Sad news about Wilko Johnson. Dr Feelgood played at Bogart's in September, 1974...

View attachment 175396

Those Disco Enthusiats

 

[Time Traveller 66]

Those Disco Enthusiasts were a worse threat than global warming. How dare they meet up and have a good time. Barr Beacon and anyone out there did you ever frequent the Drakes Drum opposite the college. Went to a mates stag do and had a great time.

 

[Barr_Beacon]

Did you know, I did! My first memory of The Drakes Drum was around 1971. It had an enormous flaming torch emitting a large flame (didn't worry about gas prices then) in the evening. I attended night school classes across the road at Brooklyn Technical College and regularly popped in for a pint.
The only thing I can add about the newspaper article about Bogart's being a discotheque was that the reporter shouldn't have smoked the strange cigarette that someone offered him.

 

[Covroad]

Did you know, I did! My first memory of The Drakes Drum was around 1971. It had an enormous flaming torch emitting a large flame (didn't worry about gas prices then) in the evening. I attended night school classes across the road at Brooklyn Technical College and regularly popped in for a pint.
The only thing I can add about the newspaper article about Bogart's being a discotheque was that the reporter shouldn't have smoked the strange cigarette that someone offered him.

Barr_Beacon, Great call I remember the Drakes Drum bier Keller, I and several friends left there one night , we got split up only to find out the next morning two of our group confused a police panda car as a Taxi ???, which lead to them having an interesting evening.

 

[roadwarrior]

I don't know whether you'd call "Mothers" in Erdington High Street a nightclub. I used to go there in the 1960s. John Peel would DJ and introduce groups like Canned Heat, the original Fleetwood Mac and Tyranasaurus Rex.

The club was above some shops and would get so packed the condensation poured down the matt black walls.

I can also remember my Mom telling me off for going to a Blues club above the pub at the corner of Station Street and Hill Street. I never thought to ask her how she knew it was frequented by "Ladies of the Night" (I think the term my mother actually used was "Old Tails").

i used to go there sometimes too, it was above a furniture store, i had no idea all those groups were there and john peel - how did i miss that ? i was always drunk that i missed the live recording of Ummagumma that was recorded there by Pink Floyd. I read a writeup that it was considered to be the best live music venue in the uk at the time and all the bands loves playing there, i remember the hippy bubble machines playing on the walls..

 

[Time Traveller 66]

Did you know, I did! My first memory of The Drakes Drum was around 1971. It had an enormous flaming torch emitting a large flame (didn't worry about gas prices then) in the evening. I attended night school classes across the road at Brooklyn Technical College and regularly popped in for a pint.
The only thing I can add about the newspaper article about Bogart's being a discotheque was that the reporter shouldn't have smoked the strange cigarette that someone offered him.

Yes the old saying do not believe everything you read in the press. The ciggy with the twisted end.Only what someone told me or i read about . Yes good times in the Drakes Drum. No dancing on the tables now anyway you only fell on your mates .

 

[Covroad]

Yes the old saying do not believe everything you read in the press. The ciggy with the twisted end.Only what someone told me or i read about . Yes good times in the Drakes Drum. No dancing on the tables now anyway you only fell on your mates .

The Small Heath woodbine , I believe those cigarettes were called ??

 

[Terence David Lines]

I think they were originally the West End Park Drive In 1963.

The Small Heath woodbine , I believe those cigarettes were called ??

 

[Tinpot]

I have memories of going to a club at the Coventry Rd end of Golden Hillock Rd This would be in the late 60s. Groups I remember there were The Hollies, The Dave Clark Five and The Applejacks. I can’t remember the club name but I seem to think there was an Irish connection. The photo is roughly where I believe it was.

 

[Covroad]

I have memories of going to a club at the Coventry Rd end of Golden Hillock Rd This would be in the late 60s. Groups I remember there were The Hollies, The Dave Clark Five and The Applejacks. I can’t remember the club name but I seem to think there was an Irish connection. The photo is roughly where I believe it was.

The Garry Owen Club

 

[Tinpot]

The Garry Owen Club

Thanks Covroad. Your information allowed me to find that it was once called The Brum Cavern Club and that would have been the name when we were going there. The later history of the club gives a poor impression of the place that I do not remember at that time. Another group we saw was the Searchers. Also went to the other Cavern Club in Summer Row/Lane? Down in the cellars when as the night went on the condensation dripped from the walls. Midi length dresses with chiffon sleeves and frilly cuffs!

 

[Covroad]

Thanks Covroad. Your information allowed me to find that it was once called The Brum Cavern Club and that would have been the name when we were going there. The later history of the club gives a poor impression of the place that I do not remember at that time. Another group we saw was the Searchers. Also went to the other Cavern Club in Summer Row/Lane? Down in the cellars when as the night went on the condensation dripped from the walls. Midi length dresses with chiffon sleeves and frilly cuffs!

Tinpot, yes it start life as Cavern Club as I knew it. It then became the Garry Owen club which was much maligned club by it’s ‘supposed ’ reputation. I can say I spent many happy hours in there (much to my Father's disapproval) many is the time I entered the club on Saturday night and left on a Sunday morning walking home with the milkmen and paperboy.
Chris Tarrant , and other from Tizwas where regulars in there .

 

[Reg Mills 107]

Fabulous - thank you for sharing. As a boy scout practising for the 1st Birmingham Gang show next door to the Castaways (where Crossroads rehearsed). I got to look into the Castaways club as the buildings were linked. Exotic as he said in the film. Some of the dancers came in to have a picture taken for evening mail with us boys to publicise the gang show. The girls were so lovely and kind in their bikinis with us 4 boys couldn't believe it - the photo shows one boys eyes clearly not looking at the camera!! lol.

 

[Reg Mills 107]

I used to work in Bradford St next to crossroads rehearsal rooms, I always thought it funny seeing Sandy on the tv in a wheelchair then seeing him walk past to go home. I often had to ask Noel G to move her car, she always seemed to park it on our weigh bridge. In 1969/70 I bought the white grand piano from the castaways for £50. I popped in to see Ernest Holmes to give him the cash. Good thing about working in Bradford St was on Saturday lunch time, someone from meat market visited us with pork, lamb or beef, big joints at £5.

 

[Reg Mills 107]

nice memories eric....a well known pub for jazz was the salutation at the bottom of snow hill...did you ever use it

lyn

I remember walking down to Jazzland before it opened to register as a member. Used to go every week, can’t remember what night of the week. Do I remember the burnt cork club, tec city? I always thought the Plaza Handsworth was the best. Saw the Beatles there when they were the supporting act. Oh, anyone remember the DB4 twist club Earlswood? Out side Brum but was a good night.

 

[Peter1]

I used to work in Bradford St next to crossroads rehearsal rooms, I always thought it funny seeing Sandy on the tv in a wheelchair then seeing him walk past to go home. I often had to ask Noel G to move her car, she always seemed to park it on our weigh bridge. In 1969/70 I bought the white grand piano from the castaways for £50. I popped in to see Ernest Holmes to give him the cash. Good thing about working in Bradford St was on Saturday lunch time, someone from meat market visited us with pork, lamb or beef, big joints at £5.

Great stories, Reg. Bought the grand piano, wow. And loved the meat market bargains too.