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History Of Bristol Nightlife (Merged)


Big Red Rich

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Those of us who left school in the early/mid 70s may remember Scamps in Fairfax Street, next to the Bier Keller, R+Js (Bailey's), The Wheatsheaf pub (now Shangai Nights restaurant) by the Magistrates Court. A few in Park street (names kept changing) such as Curves, not forgetting Vicki's (strip joint) and Vadim's on the Triangle. Le Mans Club was where the Casino is on Anchor Road. Up in Clifton was the Hawthorne's and Tiffany's (now The Glen Hospital). City Players used to congregate at Platform 1. And further out of town was Reeves on Bath Road, and Chasers in Kingswood (Still going?) Also in the complex that currently houses the 02 Academy was The Locarno and upstairs on the same site was Raquels. Not forgetting Busby's on Baldwin Street, which had formerly been the Gaumont Cinema. Any one else got recollections of those days and places, or other places I've not mentioned? Or are most of us that age suffering from things that blank out our "clubbing" days.

To those of you in your 30s who feel the scene was better 10 or 15 years ago - its not. Bristol will always have a thriving nightlife scene. Its just that you discover these things at a fantastic age when you are just entering the world of young adulthood, and probably with few commitments but plenty of cash in your pocket (or on your card). And then as people settle down the nostalgia kicks in, but - unless your Peter Stringfellow - you move on. Good times!!

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My brother frequented The Granary in Welsh Back in the 60's as it specialised in Jazz and Blues music. When I went in the 70's it had become a haven or Rock instead.

For those who went to The Granary, you might be interested in this. I got a copy for my Dad a couple of years ago, as he used to go in the early-mid 70's.

The thing with 'town' is, in your 20's you feel like you and your mates own it. In your 30's you stand around in clubs like Reflex, look at everyone else and think "when did all these little fu**ers take over the place?"

This is spot on. I've not hit 30 yet but know exactly what you mean. I've only ever had the odd night out in Bristol with living Up North, but the same applies wherever you go out regularly.

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Great little nostalgia trip reading this thread.

What about "Yesterdays" on King Street? I remember staggering up the steps to get out of that place many a time - only to end up face down in the gutter outside!!

Used to love the Kandi Klub. First went when it was in Circles(?) - above Busby's on Baldwin St, then onto the Thekla, Bierkeller and Cooler. Always a fun night made even better by being about to blag my way in free (knew a lot of club owners through working in PA / lighting).

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This thread brings back memories.

used to get in Evoloution alot, and remember well Brannigans on a Monday, I'm sure it was £1 a drink all night.

Horn and Trumpet - Cocktails

Bar Excellance was £1 a drink Tuesdays AND Thursdays (As was Evo)

Mckluskys was great pretty chilled out as it was an "older" venue, I'm sure it was 21's. Was in there for the Wurzels gig, when they came back out and played drink up thee Cider the place went insane.

Now I go in town and it seems so very bland. Poor chain bars and nothing worth staying up late for, although I do like Vodka Revs.

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Lots of memories here, one things for certain, its not as cheap as it used to be!

Was mentioning Brannigans to some young'un the other day, they had an offer for a short while......10p a pint on a Monday night....total chaos, think it only ran for a few weeks, it was like pigs in muck.

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Great little nostalgia trip reading this thread.

What about "Yesterdays" on King Street? I remember staggering up the steps to get out of that place many a time - only to end up face down in the gutter outside!!

Used to love the Kandi Klub. First went when it was in Circles(?) - above Busby's on Baldwin St, then onto the Thekla, Bierkeller and Cooler. Always a fun night made even better by being about to blag my way in free (knew a lot of club owners through working in PA / lighting).

Remember Yesterdays, saw Richard Thompson there, was there a car as part of interior decor or something like that ?

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This thread brings back memories.

used to get in Evoloution alot, and remember well Brannigans on a Monday, I'm sure it was £1 a drink all night.

Horn and Trumpet - Cocktails

Bar Excellance was £1 a drink Tuesdays AND Thursdays (As was Evo)

Mckluskys was great pretty chilled out as it was an "older" venue, I'm sure it was 21's. Was in there for the Wurzels gig, when they came back out and played drink up thee Cider the place went insane.

Now I go in town and it seems so very bland. Poor chain bars and nothing worth staying up late for, although I do like Vodka Revs.

The wurzels in mcluskeys was quality, seemed like 100s of city were in there!!

Branagans was always decent on a Sunday, about a pound a pint and always live music!

Thursdays at odyssey was ok even though I was never a massive fan of nightclubs, That Patrick would not let me in for about 6 months despite me having a 'gold card' after having a disagreement with someone, my mates would try and hide me but I always got caught by him.

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I remember the spaghetti tree. I used to go in there when i was 15 with a group of lads all the same age.

All we had to do was chip in a quid each to buy a pizza and then we could stay in there all night pissing it up.

Also had many a great night in the sedan chair at 16 years of age.

Great days they were i tell thee

Spaghetti tree, that place was grotty! Remember the pizza thing, basically to get round licensing laws. Used to be able to snog/finger as many girls as you wanted in a night, even reaching double figures wasn't that impressive cus the girls were so easy! Like you I was barely 15 when first went there.

Bar Excellence and Evo were favourites too. Used to go Greenhouse a lot, starting at Spoons on the Triangle.

Now it's mostly Bemi but in town I'd go Welsh Back then Mr Wolfs. I like Glos Rd too, lots of live music and Stokes Croft is lively.

Got Spotted Cow on my doorstep though, possibly best pub in Bristol IMO.

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All this talk of days gone by in town reminded me of this....

Anyone know of anymore, whole episodes?

I saw all those, god knows where you can see them though.

Bloody Ronny p r I c k. And his battle wagon. The bloke was a complete Numpty

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Those were the days bouncers seemed down to earth blokes (with a nasty side). These days they seem to be steroid monsters with no personality.

Most bouncers were i it for the chance of belting someone legally years ago, I have heard many stories from a bouncer mate of mine, who bouncers schemed plots on groups of 1-3 people just to hand out a kicking.

thankfully, bouncers are monitored more nowadays and can't get away (so much) with the fun beltings they used to hand out.

I cannot think of any reason to be a bouncer in a pub or blub, other than the fact you quite like a bit of a dust up occasionally. It can't be for the love of the job... Stood in the cold and rain talking to pissed up punters.

David Prowse (Darth Vader, Green Cross Code Man) used to be a Bouncer in Bristol, he could hand out a damn good thumping and often did. Until people found out he had dodgy feet, and used to finish the guy by stamping on them, so he then turned all lovey and turned to film and TV

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Most bouncers were i it for the chance of belting someone legally years ago, I have heard many stories from a bouncer mate of mine, who bouncers schemed plots on groups of 1-3 people just to hand out a kicking.

thankfully, bouncers are monitored more nowadays and can't get away (so much) with the fun beltings they used to hand out.

I cannot think of any reason to be a bouncer in a pub or blub, other than the fact you quite like a bit of a dust up occasionally. It can't be for the love of the job... Stood in the cold and rain talking to pissed up punters.

David Prowse (Darth Vader, Green Cross Code Man) used to be a Bouncer in Bristol, he could hand out a damn good thumping and often did. Until people found out he had dodgy feet, and used to finish the guy by stamping on them, so he then turned all lovey and turned to film and TV

Yeah I did it for the scraping the women and town got shit so instead of spending £100 a night I would make a £100. Funny enough when ever I went over to Bath the locals seemed to want to try it on with anyone from Bristol for some strange reason, I broke and shattered my hand twatting some 6,5ft 17st rugger bugger that ended my career as a bouncer to this day my hand is still f###ed.

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Yeah I did it for the scraping the women and town got shit so instead of spending £100 a night I would make a £100. Funny enough when ever I went over to Bath the locals seemed to want to try it on with anyone from Bristol for some strange reason, I broke and shattered my hand twatting some 6,5ft 17st rugger bugger that ended my career as a bouncer to this day my hand is still f###ed.

:laugh:

I thought the first rule of bouncing was never use your fist, a open had slap to the ear was what I was told, makes you completely unbalanced, then it is a knee to the guts or boloocks, then a damn good kicking on the floor.

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:laugh:

I thought the first rule of bouncing was never use your fist, a open had slap to the ear was what I was told, makes you completely unbalanced, then it is a knee to the guts or boloocks, then a damn good kicking on the floor.

I had the f###er by the throat and was strangling him but he got loose and started going mental so I smashed him it took 4 puches to the temple to floor him after that my hand was goosed.

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Was much better when it was at Panache

Even better when it was up level on park row. Went up there with my ex missus on a wednesday night and they were advertising a secret gig. We were into our music but thought it would be some local chumps signing covers, ended up seeing Bloc Party in there pomp. Crazy night.

About 2 months later she mentioned a decent band she had been listening too call the 'Arctic Monkeys' ;). £8 quid down the fleece they were amazing. 3 months later they had the best selling single in history. Good times.

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Amazing that you mention the Cattle Market Tavern as that was the pub outside the Bristol Head Post Office as was - did you work for the Post Office? The Gas were outnumbered about 20:1 by City at Cattle Market Road when I worked there. The pub and the Bristol Cattle Market Road HPO are both derelict now - very sad. The Granary's long gone as well and turned into flats I believe. I had a dream that I saw the legendary heavy metal German group that is Rammstein playing at the Granary - the mind can play strange tricks on you but it would have been amazing to see a super heavy group like Rammstein perform at the Granary but, alas, Rammstein came along about 15 years too late to play there.

Did you work for the POst Office? I work with a lot of people who worked down at the Cattle Market Road DO

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No Scooter Boys or mods about?

Steamers - best night out ever!

100's of scooters outside and on the central reservation.

Plus Specials Selecter Madness etc at Locarno.

Happy Days!

Pachucos are Go!

I mentioned the Mayfair, that was usually full of scooter boys on a Thursday night. And Yate allnighters, but that's a completely different story!

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