17 photos of clubbing at the Rum Runner in Birmingham in the 1980s

It’s the legendary Brummie nightclub where the likes of Duran Duran took their first steps to international stardom.

Thousands of music fans gathered at The Rum Runner Club each week in the 1980s and a Blue Plaque is due to be placed on the Broad Street site where it formerly stood - between the Walkabout and The Solomon Cutler. It was unveiled before Christmas.

The Rum Runner was the centre of the 80s New Romantic scene renowned for its flamboyance and ‘anything goes’ attitude. The site is being recognised for its contribution ot Birmingham’s nightlife and music culture.

The award will celebrate the legacy of the former nightclub which was once the stomping ground of celebrity fashion designers as well as members of The Beat, Dexys Midnight Runners and DJ Dick (Richard Whittingham), the aforementioned Duran Duran, and many more.

Ahead of the blue plaque being unveiled Jez Collins of the Birmingham Music Archive said: “It’s fantastic that the Rum Runner is being recognised with a Blue Plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society, following on from the award for the DJ Tony De Vit.

“This award is a brilliant end to a fantastic year for Birmingham and our music culture. We’ve had the incredible Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies that highlighted the city’s amazing music, which Duran Duran performed at. They have also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside fellow Brummies and Black Country legends Judas Priest.”

The Rum Runner was first opened in 1964 by the Berrow family as a nightclub and quickly became the place for musicians and celebrities to hang out and where the hard rock band Magnum had a residence before going on to international fame.

Following a trip to New York’s famous Studio 54 by brothers Michael and Paul Berrow, the club was then rebranded with a new music policy introduced which led to the immense success of the venue.

Here are 17 pictures of people clubbing at the Rum Runner in the 1980s

You can also see our gallery of a young Duran Duran at the Rum Runner here: Duran Duran memories