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Birmingham Nightclubs of the Past - Memories

i remember going to the monte and having chicken in a basket that was really really hot! it was well rough in there though im from kingstanding so it was a bit out of my area.
 
Hello Wendy, The Monte was a bit rough in the early years when I worked for Supreme cars which was almost opposite.Then Hercules arrived and worked the door for awhile and I must say it did improve and became quite decent. However Hercules moved on to the Rainbow Casino on Hagley Rd and the Monte quickly went downhill again.
Trevor.
 
Well, I've waded through the amazing list of B'ham night clubs but I don't think I saw one for "The Ambassadors" which was just off the Hagley Road and not far from the 'Rainbow'.
 
Hi Roy

I used to live opposite the Ambassadors Club in 1959. The Ambassadors was on Augustus Road at the junction with Norfolk Road in Edgbaston. Used to go out with a boy who worked there. Never went in there myself.

Judy
 
I wonder if anyone went to the Aero club around 1970 onwards, also the Belfry on Mondays and Moor Hall on Wednesdays? All the same faces were seen at all these venues. My friend and I sometimes drank Barley wine for courage get up on the dance floor- It was cheaper than Bacardi but tasted awful!! Cheers Silve x
 
Stitcher said:
Jacks Daughter, thats exactly how remember the the scene and the family in question. They were good times in my opinion and I would not like to be a teeneger around the clubs these days.
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Stitcher I so agree!! I worked mostly at Bloomers 74-76 and then La Dolce Vita in 77. For those three years I also worked for the Fewtrells (places varied depended where the work was!!) and spent most of leisure time in their clubs - less hassle than Baileys. And the doorman were a lot tastier!

Can't see me working the centre again anytime soon - waaaayyyy to scary for me! Must be getting old!:crying2:
 
Hello Jacks daughter, I have a photo somewhere of my wife and myself in the foyer of the La Dolce Vita. I will post it on the Before and After thread when I sort it out.
On a thread about then and now about times past in Birmingham, a large number of members disagreed with me when I said the best has gone. Nightlife, clubs and pubs, society in general and anything else you could name other than I.T. and perhaps medical care. We had the best of practically everything right down to a neighbour looking out for you if your mom was busy or off colour. Ohh happy days.
 
wow, can i just say, the whole reason i joined this forum is because i read this thread with distinct interest.
as a fond lover of all things 'old skool' i have pretty much dedicated the last 10 years of my career to representing the good old days.
staging events, hosting radio shows & djing nationwide, keeping the vibe alive.

the reason for this post is simple.
I am staging a series of parties, remebering all that is good about Birminghams club culture.

celebrating various venues that i have played in (or attended over the years) which have since closed.
i remember these with great memories (as i see do most of you!).

So,
firstly i would like to make you aware of our parties which launch tonight (log onto https://bigbrummiereunion.info for more info ) although it is still work in progress, we are getting there!

secondly i would like to ask for help / advice.
im searching for any pics, info, messages, recordings, videos...ANYTHING that could help become an archive to the 2nd citys great clubbing scene.
honestly, my experience spans the 90's into the 00's but prior to that, dare i say, i was too young.

my friends look back with great fondness at some of the clubs i missed out on so if you could help in anyway, please get in touch, details at the bottom of the post.

Finally, i would like to trace any DJ's from any of the venues mentioned in this forum from venues which have now shut, who would be willing to dust down their vinyl & play a classic set at one of our events, lets relive the good times & show the kids how it was done!

if you are a jock, or you know where one can be traced, of have thoughts as to who i should be trying to book for our events, once again, it would be great to hear from you.

can i just say a big thanks to all of you who have posted so far, it has been a real blast from the past & quite an interesting read.

many thanks for your time & feel free to get intouch direct

JB x
James Blond
A True Brummie Club Lover!
e: james@jamesblond.co.uk
www.jamesblond.co.uk
 
Re: Birmingham Nighclubs of the Past- Memories

Graham Joinson said:
Ahh memories of the Locarno. as a budding DJ in 1972 i did an audition for the then manager Tommy Cullinane, the guest 'star' that night was Johnny Walker from radio one and we hit it off straight away. He invited me to stay on stage with him but the boss decided otherwise. He ordered two burly bouncers to 'invite me to leave' and out i went. I almost lost all of my records but managed to retrieve nearly all of them. I can laugh now........... I did work else where though: Barbarellas, Pollyannas and the Chalet in Rednal, plus a reguar spot at The Dukes in Northfield. Happy days!!
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hey Graham,
i have red your post with interest.
as a former northfield boy myself, i remember dukes under the grovener, although i was too young to go.
i also remember my dad going on about barbarellas & pollyannas... just the names bring back memories...

are you still spinning?
drop me a note directly as im staging some reunions & if you would like to join us you would be more than welcome james@jamesblond.co.uk ,
it would be good to hear from you .
 
jean nesbitt said:
hi I remember the steering wheel my sister worked thed the guy that owned it was sid taylor a racing driver
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i hear that one!
i dj'ed there for many a happy year,
i also worked for sid taylor prior to that!
 
Hi ya DJJAMESBLONDE , welcome to the forum.
In the American Bill Board magazine way back when ,they discribed Mothers Club in Erdington as " The greatest club in the world " there is a brilliant book available about this club , you may have the book ?
Max
 
Now then gents i will be the 1st bloke on the forum to admit going to " The Dolls Club " ( later became Daddy Longlegs ) oh and i remember " The Revue " down Soho rd . Curiosity you understand thats all Ha Ha!
 
I had forgotten about the Mayfair Suite, thanks for the reminder. We used to go to so many, as Brum had some great nightclubs.

I used to love the Rainbow Room above the Co-op, I still have my membership photo from the 60s. Also Rebeccas, Barbarellas and the Top Rank. The only one we never went to was the Rum Runner as we felt that belonged more to the 'older' generation!:D
 
heres another club people not mentioned the elbow room near aston .....
 
Marshell50 said:
I had forgotten about the Mayfair Suite, thanks for the reminder. We used to go to so many, as Brum had some great nightclubs.

I used to love the Rainbow Room above the Co-op, I still have my membership photo from the 60s. Also Rebeccas, Barbarellas and the Top Rank. The only one we never went to was the Rum Runner as we felt that belonged more to the 'older' generation!:D
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At last, I have been wracking my brains to remember the name of the nightclub on top of the Co-op, my friend and I went every week. Thanks to those who have more active little grey cells than I do at the moment
 
Re: who remembers these dance halls

loisand said:
The Palais De dance.....Monument Road, Spring Hill
Madame Amies...Chain Walk, Aston
The Grand Casino....Corporation Street
The Tower Ballroom....already mentioned
The Palace Ballroom....Erdington
Tony's Ballroom....Hurst Street
The Masque Ballroom....Walford Road, Sparkbrook
The Albert Hall....Six Ways, Aston
The Botanical Gardens....Edgbaston
The West End...Suffolk Street
Edgbaston assembly Rooms...Hagley Road, Edgbaston
The Grand Hotel..where the Grosvenor room was used
The Locarno...already mentioned
Birmingham Co-Operative halls..above most Co-Op shops
The Lion Hall...Aston Road North
The Sringfield Ballroom..Sparkhill
Whitehouse Street..Aston
Boot's The Chemist Dance Floor..above Colmore Row and Bull Street
Branch
Fairbanks Barracks....Alum Rock Road
Lea Hall...Wood Lane, Perry Barr
Crystal Palace...Sutton Coldfield, already mentioned I think
Kynoch's...Witton
Dawson Hall....Small Heath
The Dingle...Muntz Street
The Savoy....New Street
St Stephen's Church Hall....Newtown Row
The Ritz Ballroom...Edmund Street
Aston Road North....Aston
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another 1 for you the elbow room near aston /newtown
 
Wow Vic i used to go to the BRS, and the Friendship hall in Erdington, Cant really call em night clubs ,but fantastic at the time ,.
I rember seeing the very young but brilliant Stevie Winwood at the Yenton School .
Max
 
Hey Brumbaby at the Mayfair did you see Ferris Wheel ? the singer was from a famous group , his name was Emile Ford , I think the group was the Checkmates.!

Happy days
 
What about Sloopys on Corporation St on the corner with Dalton St? I loved that place - went there a lot in the seventies. There is a pic of it in one of those 'Birmingham in the seventies' books.

Anyone else remember it?
 
Frankf said:
What about Sloopys on Corporation St on the corner with Dalton St? I loved that place - went there a lot in the seventies. There is a pic of it in one of those 'Birmingham in the seventies' books.

Anyone else remember it?
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Do you mean this one Frank
 
Frankf said:
What about Sloopys on Corporation St on the corner with Dalton St? I loved that place - went there a lot in the seventies. There is a pic of it in one of those 'Birmingham in the seventies' books.

Anyone else remember it?
Click to expand...
Hello Frank
Yes I remember Sloopys in Corporation Street. It was small but a good atmosphere. Someone on this site recently recalled Villa players frequenting the place.( My hubby had a 3 week trial with Villa and thus we befriended some of the team of that time) We spent some good nights there.
I so wish there was still somewhere like that now but where the more 'mature' customers like ourselves could enjoy an evening out!!.
All the best
Silve
 
Hi Silve,

yes it was a little small, but when you're young and enjoying yourself none of that mattered I think - I loved it there. I remember the seating area up on the left opposite the bar and yes, you're right - its a shame there arent places like that now - or maybe there is?

Take care

Frank
 
as an old yardley boy myself i frequented some great venues during the seventies, my favourite being the romulus on the hagley road, height of fashion for the ladies at that time was in fact a retro look embracing fashions from the 1940's. oh what i'd give now for a glimpse of a seamed stocking and a fox fur stole. after that it was the holy city zoo and then on to the rum runner. weekends in yardley usually consisted of a few early ones in the yew tree lounge then on to bloomers or the swan, followed by a curry in the kashmir. happy days.
 
poke, I had forgotten all about The Romulous. It became Liberty's as you will no doubt know but it has just changed again to Akbahs or something like that. It is now a very upmarket asian restaurant.
 
Frankf said:
What about Sloopys on Corporation St on the corner with Dalton St? I loved that place - went there a lot in the seventies. There is a pic of it in one of those 'Birmingham in the seventies' books.

Anyone else remember it?
Click to expand...

Yes that was one of my old haunts.....
 
I noticed in an earlier post that The Hostaria in Hurst St. was mentioned. Most members will know that The Birmingham Evening Mail publishes a back-dated suppliment on Saturday evenings, last nights contained this advert from the eighties.
 
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