For many of us, spending far too much time in nightclubs during our late teens and early 20s is a rite of passage.
It’s fair to say that young people still do enjoy a night out, but those of a certain age will remember a time when eager youngsters spent the whole week looking forward to a Friday or Saturday night.
Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when you could smoke indoors and pints were actually affordable, nightclubs across the country made a roaring trade.
The 1980s was certainly a brilliant era for clubbing, as was the 90s with its dance scene.
To reminisce, we asked Brummies what nightclubs they miss the most from the 80s and 90s. Here are the most popular answers:
1. West End Bar, Snow Hill
The West End bar was situated on Snow Hill and closed in the 1990s. It’s been described as the ‘first real afterhours club in Brum’ and the ‘birthplace of the real Birmingham underground sound’. | google
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2. Holy City Zoo & Subway City
This is now called the Tunnel Club, and was previously called called Subway City in the 90s. It is located underneath the railway arches that lead to Snow Hill station. It used to be the site of a club called Holy City Zoo, known for its Bowie and Roxy Music type of audience. It was owned by ex-Aston Villa player and TV commentator Andy Gray amongst others. It opened around 1979 and reportedly lasted a few years, possibly until 1982 | Birmingham City Council
3. Locarno, Hurst Street
Locarno Dance Hall opened in 1961 and remained one of the popular clubs in the 60s and 70s and 80s. The club was closed permanently in 2015 and is adorned with graffiti. One person wrote: “Lacarno loved it there.” | YouTube
4. The Elbow Rooms, Aston
Another iconic venue, the old Elbow Rooms nightclub was also frequented by Sabbath back in the day with footballer George Best. It was very popular in the 80s, and was located here: next to the Legacy Centre of Excellence | Google