Memory Lane Nightclubs of Southend

[Bielzibubz]

Thinking about it, I went to one on Canvey. No idea what it was called.

Probably the Goldmine if you go back that far.

 

[AndyT]

The Goldmine, of course.

I left it off earlier, as it wasn't in Southend, but now the net has been widened, I'll include this and the shed at the back of the Rising Sun in Billericay with Russ B and Grumpy Brown!

 

[AndyT]

No, I'm sure it was next door - they occasionally opened up the joining wall to make it much bigger. Maybe it was Annabelle's, that name was also one of the nightclubs in Southend.

Raquels was in Basildon. Opened up to become Annabelles?

I make you right, yep Annabelles.

Didn't the Chinese Restaurant in that corner also become a nightclub or is that what Annabelles was?

 

[HypoTypo]

Quills was at the rear of what is now Chinnerys on Marine Parade. There is a seperate side door but also had folding doors that opened up between bar and club sections.

Scamps was in Elmer Approach, this renamed to Mansions but closed in 2015.
Zero (or Zero 6, it's been renamed a few times) over the airport and Zhivagos' of course.

Pink Toothbrush in Rayleigh and of course Europa in Basildon

 

[The Big Dady]

Anyone remember the club down the side of the Elms pub (Wetherspoons), and the famous Kursaal ballroom.

Here is a great video that is all about people remembering the Southend Kursaal and Southend United playing at the Greyhound Stadium, and footage of Roots Hall etc.

 

[Floval Flyer]

Further afield - Pink Toothbrush/Crocs.
Rare groove people moved around a lot - Hadleigh Suite, Chickenshack - though I think that was maybe just illegal parties, Windmill in Hanningfield was rammed on Sunday afternoons, and a large pub maybe in Thorpe Bay for a few weeks.

Nowadays the Railway has a lot going on and seems to be a little slice of the Southend alternative culture vibe that is always there if you go looking for it.

Hearing those 2 venues is a blast from the past, and also High Society. Had some great nights BITD.

Early 80s I recall the House / Electro night and Breakdancing competitions down at Zero 6, same kid won every week.

Pink Toothbrush hip hop nights in the mid 80s, still amazes me to this day how so many big name rap groups played there.

Also remember some great nights downstairs @ Saks in the early days

Also worth mentioning Festival Hall in Basildon, saw Soul2Soul there before the went commercial.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

No, I'm sure it was next door - they occasionally opened up the joining wall to make it much bigger. Maybe it was Annabelle's, that name was also one of the nightclubs in Southend.

Yes you are right. The much bigger Zhivago's and the small Annabella's were joined once they knocked the dividing wall down. Annabella's could be hired for small party's/functions. If Zhivago's was really busy, they would take down the dividing rope and open and staff the Annabella's bar.

, I seem to remember The Ivy House having the same kinda thing. Opened up a doorway from the pub through to Quills next door. Called it the Hole in the Wall if memory serves

The Hole in the wall was the pub out the front, called because of the round windows at the time, and now it's Chinnery's. At first it was the Ivy House. Yes, the entrance to Quills was the door at the side, now called Venue. They had to permanently close the extra door leading direct from the pub into Quills because of all the trouble, as coach party's would steam in through that door if not allowed in the main entrance.

 

[AndyT]

Another vote for Saks.

I remember going in there when it first opened and before the developed the basement into the nightclub it became.

Was a good meeting point before going on to Zero 6.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Anyone remember the club down the side of the Elms pub (Wetherspoons), and the famous Kursaal ballroom.

Here is a great video that is all about people remembering the Southend Kursaal and Southend United playing at the Greyhound Stadium, and footage of Roots Hall etc.

Club at the side of The Elms was Barons. Loved that place in my mid teens.

 

[Firestorm]

When I was at uni in Cardiff in 76, there was a lad from Bristol who used to go to the goldmine every other Friday.
It was for the old swing nights, Glenn Miller and all that, they used to go in 40,s gear and military uniforms.

 

[AndyT]

The club next to the Elms was also known as The Hadleigh Suite.

Remember going there a few times. Good music.

 

[Firestorm]

 

[Bielzibubz]

The club next to the Elms was also known as The Hadleigh Suite.

Remember going there a few times. Good music.

Around about 1978/79 it was Barons. I remember myself and an old mate of mine putting a little dance routine together for 'The Beat Goes On' and 'Ladies Night' that I sometimes still seeing being done at 80's nights even now

 

[KevinJH]

.....and music, it was usually my local and take the jukebox over....

Nothing to do with nightclubs but one thing I can distinctly remember; last time I used a jukebox was in 1974 and I selected The Who's 5:15 in the cafe/waiting room at Southend Central station whilst passing the time waiting for the next train for Fenchurch Street. Madness - how (or rather, why) the Hell do I remember that !?

 

[Shrimper in France]

What about the Alpha 2 on the seafront? Also anyone remember a german bierkeller type place in Vic Circus development called the Intercon I think?

 

[Another Surrey Shrimper]

Hearing those 2 venues is a blast from the past, and also High Society. Had some great nights BITD.

Early 80s I recall the House / Electro night and Breakdancing competitions down at Zero 6, same kid won every week.

Pink Toothbrush hip hop nights in the mid 80s, still amazes me to this day how so many big name rap groups played there.

Also remember some great nights downstairs @ Saks in the early days

Also worth mentioning Festival Hall in Basildon, saw Soul2Soul there before the went commercial.

I saw Ice T there, Sugar Bear, possibly BDP but maybe that is wishful thinking. I know there were more and I'll wake up at 4am having remembered some...

 

[Mad Cyril]

Further afield - Pink Toothbrush/Crocs.
Rare groove people moved around a lot - Hadleigh Suite, Chickenshack - though I think that was maybe just illegal parties, Windmill in Hanningfield was rammed on Sunday afternoons, and a large pub maybe in Thorpe Bay for a few weeks.

Nowadays the Railway has a lot going on and seems to be a little slice of the Southend alternative culture vibe that is always there if you go looking for it.

I used to do The Windmill on a Sunday evening.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Early 90s.

Upstairs at The Sunrooms followed by downstairs at Saks.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Club at the side of The Elms was Barons. Loved that place in my mid teens.

Early 70's was called The Birds Nest, had my engagement 'do' in there in 75.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

I make you right, yep Annabelles.

Didn't the Chinese Restaurant in that corner also become a nightclub or is that what Annabelles was?

Annabelles was previously named The Intercom in early 70's.
The Chinese restaurant was called aptly 'The Garden of China'.
We used to go there quite often.