The best of buddies, the cheapest of drinks, the stickiest of floors. Birmingham love a good club, and they have plenty of reasons to love them too.
Long after the lights went out for the last time and the club was demolished, turned into apartments or left in darkness, people still remember the best nights of their lives there. Just strolling down the street where they were is enough to make you feel a bit dizzy.
Last week we asked you to take our survey and pick the best Brum nightclub from the past. You also gave us your favorite memories of the city’s clubland institutions, big and small, and they were wonderful to read.
Apart from those concerning the toilets. If walls could talk…
SEE MORE :The beloved town center pub stripped by the latest punters and turned into a car park
Most popular – Dome
A surprise winner? The top spot was taken by the Dome, the sprawling Bristol Street nightclub currently operating as the O2 Academy.
With mass appeal, room for everyone and a distinctive interior, it’s no wonder so many of you loved a night at the Dome. Birmingham sons and daughters still go there today for club nights and concerts, so the tradition is alive even if the name isn’t.
(Picture: Birmingham Post and Mail)
One voter summed up the Dome well. “Walking into the main room hearing an absolute bang, seeing the big glittering ball, grabbing a load of 50p drinks to take to the balcony and boom! The night begins! The best memories of my teenage years!”
“Always friendly, good music, lots of room to dance, really good laughs!” Said another. “So many bars, friendly staff, amazing lighting, always guaranteed to have an amazing night out,” says another reviewer.
Many of you have even found true love in the dark halls of the Dome, punctuated with streams of light. “I loved the Dome, went clubbing here most weeks from 1990 when it was the original Dome and also met my husband here in the 90s and we’re still together now.”
“Last month was the 30th anniversary of my meeting my wife at the Dome! I went to see Wimpy afterwards and exchanged phone numbers,” says a love story. “I met my 24-year-old girlfriend in The Dome…Loved being pulled out of the crowd to be part of the Party Posse?? We saw Sonic on a Friday night. Lots of memories in there,” says one other.
It was so good that a few of you used dirty tricks to get in. not me lol” – absolutely criminal.
The Dome – your best club from the past. May the memories last a long time.
Finalists – old snobs, Edwards No.8
The silver and bronze medals went to former Snobs and Edwards No.8 respectively. Beautiful choices that reflect Birmingham’s musical diversity.
The veteran who is Snobs is still in the conversation for Birmingham’s top club. It’s still going strong on Smallbrook Queensway, but people have very fond memories of the old Paradise Circus spot.
“The tacky dance floor, the cheap drinks, the banging tunes and the great vibe! Wednesday nights at Snobs were the best!!” one voter said. All the ingredients of a great club.
“Magic 18 38 years ago.. the music the staff oh what a good time,” said another. “Faces on the wall and glued to the floor” – we’re starting to notice a theme here.
“The indie room and snakebite and black for 50p!!” says one voter. 50p – sure, that’s a snakebite, but today’s prices are criminal in comparison.
(Picture: Birmingham Post and Mail)
In third place was Edwards No.8, one of Birmingham’s many offers for the alternative crowd of the past. We’re still waiting for a true successor to Brum’s famed rock club following its collapse in 2006 – although Eddies continues to live spiritually on club nights.
“So many fabulous nights and never a problem,” said one voter. “Great music, great people, safe environment, not too bad prices either,” said another – rockers take care of each other.
“I saw nirvana and Tad on stage the same night at Edwards’ No. 8.. say no more” – two grunge legends sharing a stage, what a night it must have been!
It was one of Eddie Fewtrell’s clubs, who were successful this year but were responsible for so many fond memories of Birmingham. No doubt he would be delighted to hear that.
What memories do you have to add to these tales of three of Birmingham’s top clubs? Comment below and join our Facebook nostalgia group.
See more history and nostalgia here!
