Comments on: City Centre Nightlife in the 1980s – An Introduction

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:40:05 +0000

Hi all, like everyone else I’ve great memories of Birmingham city night life, for me 1980/81 was the most memorable time. The Rum Runner, Faces, Holy City Zoo, Peppermint Place and a host of others, my now much older addled brain cant remember! I did take quite a few photos at the time, of which I’ve posted some on PhotoBucket http://s879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/martincraig74/1981%20New%20Romantics%20and%20romance/ , by the way I was into the New Romantic thing in big way. Someone mentioned Karn and Bell in another post, I think I had one of those life changing experiences in that shop! It was so wonderfully wired, I recall the first time I went in, the atmosphere, the clothes, it really hit a spot within me. Strangely I recall the ceiling, gold painted blow up dolls staring down upon us, or was that some wired dream I had?

By: Andy Doherty

Andy Doherty — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:07:29 +0000

The Dance Factory? As it happens I worked there too – it was the back of the Institute night club in Digbeth.

By: Carl Bateman

Carl Bateman — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:29:33 +0000

I would just like to say what a great experience i have had reading all the stories / memories on here , i was a frequent club goer in the mid eighties and early ninties although a bit suprised the ritzy hasnt been mentioned ( yet ) or sarah moons ? boogies was my main hang out untill i got older and was able to get in else where , birmingham city zulus used to use boogies on a regular basis if i recall ? as the years past i found myself in the dance factory (digbeth)it was at the back of a huge club to which for the life of me cant remember the name?
Any way great reading keep it up

By: Andy Doherty

Andy Doherty — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:51:12 +0000

It was between Needless Alley and Cannon Street, both of which run-off New Street. There was an entrance on Needless Alley directly opposite the entrance to the old Mr Bill’s Bier Kellar.

By: Tony Lott

Tony Lott — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:36:29 +0000

Does anyone know what street Le Pub was? I know it was off New Street but can’t remember for the life of me which one. Don’t think it was Bennets Hil but maybe I am wrong.. i used to love it there in 85′ish.

By: Careless Memory

Careless Memory — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:31:20 +0000

Hurst Street, Khan and Bell, The Rum Runner whose mirrored columns were polished by one Mr J Taylor who went on to become quite famous with… very good times. Good tale Andy, although in those day’s the very mention of Motorhead would have sent me running for the door.

By: Andy Doherty

Andy Doherty — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:12:21 +0000

Many thanks for the post – glad you enjoy the website and yes, the Ship Ashore/Outrigger were one in the same.

By: how101

how101 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:21:03 +0000

Did the Outrigger then become the Ship Ashore? If not then the Ship was another great indie hangout for me but more into the early 90’s. Anyone have any memories of the RumRunner, i remember my older cousins filling my head with great stories of that place. Unfortunately it closed before i was able to visit. Im looking for old photos of the city centre from the 80’s / 90’s as well if anyone has any links. Great site by the way.

By: silver

silver — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:36:13 +0000

the ‘Tin Can club’! backstreet club with excellent live Indie bands.

By: adrian carey

adrian carey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:52:12 +0000

a wonderful distilled trip down memory lane – shame we forgot to take photos at the time! top marks Andy