Welcome to part one of two of the Echo’s look back at Southampton's best-loved nightlife spots of yesteryear.
These nightclubs and bars will be etched firmly - or more than likely, hazily - into the memories of local clubbers and nightlife lovers of years gone by.
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The Academy
Cheesy music, cheap drinks but very often crowded. Frequented by students and sometimes difficult for non-students to get in. Became 80s themed club Reflex and is now Popworld.
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Avondale House
This bar, situated on the corner of Carlton Crescent and Carlton place, had a slight sporty vibe. They often had football on the TVs and the pool table was a popular feature. A strange shape, it had lots of steps leading to a few different levels.
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Bar Med
Back when the High Street was a buzzing place to be, this sunshine-themed bar was a popular choice. The brightly coloured chain pub opened in 1998, changed to Below Bar in 2002 and closed in 2005 before becoming For Your Eyes Only.
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READ MORE: 19 pictures of Rhino Club through the years >>>
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The Beach
Tucked away at the far end of Ocean Village, The Beach was themed around none other than, well, a beach.
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Boiler House
Frequented mostly by students, Boiler House had cheap drinks which came in plastic glasses that glowed under UV lighting.
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Brannigan’s
Brannigan’s came and went pretty quickly. It was known for its strict dress code and its plentiful drink deals. The best seats were right in front of the window on the High Street so you could show strangers how much fun you were having. The venue closed in 2003 and is now Lidl supermarket.
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Burbanks
It sprawled out over several floors and had a sports theme. It closed to become a strip club, which then became Junk, changed to Tripp and then reverted back to Junk. Junk closed in 2020.
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C’s
Famed for its brightly coloured plastic chairs and screens into the toilets to see the opposite sex – which was weird! Closed to become Bambuubar and then became a strip bar.
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Cargo
This swanky Oxford Street bar/restaurant/hotel was great for food, cocktails and a night out. The mood was always calm and relaxed, and the lighting on low.
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Celebration Plaza
A joint venture between Matt Le Tissier and Mike Osman, on Terminus Terrace. Le God is on record saying he lost a few quid on this place. It’s now flats.
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Chambers
The London Road pub made you want pizza – even if you weren’t hungry! The smell of the pizzas coming from the dedicated pizza ovens on show was often too much to take. Aside from the Italian favourite food, the pool tables were a major draw. Chambers shut in 2009 and is currently Sadler’s Bar & Smokehouse.
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Chicago Rock
Chicago Rock was another well-known chain that opened up in Southampton only to vanish (like Walkabout and Brannigans). At one time it offered £12-all-you-can-drink deal - but the bar was so packed it was often difficult to get your money's worth. Closed to become Ocean & Collins, then Bliss and finally The Voodoo Lounge. The building was torn down and is now commercial space.
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City of Sound
Tucked away beside York Gate, behind Hanover Buildings, the club became Stars later on. The building lay empty for years and remained a garish purple colour for a long time.
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Dorchester Arms
Often referred to simply as the Dorch, this pub on Onslow Road was refurbished shortly before it closed in 2014 and included a pool table dart boards and a stage for live music. The building has been used as a board games café since 2016.
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The Dungeon
The Dungeon was a part of Southampton's nightlife for a staggering 27 years! It first opened in 1989 and offered an alternative night out to the usual club with dance music. Known to regulars as the Dinge, the club shut to much disappointment in 2016. It is now 5 Rivers Sports Bar & Grill.
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Flares
A 1970s themed bar/nightclub in Above Bar and consequently not frequented by the younger generations too often. You could always expect to hear disco music there – lots of it! Now The Spitfire.
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Goblets
A bar in a cellar, Goblets was full of music memorabilia and a free jukebox. The booths were cosy and there was a little section upstairs where you could look out on the street. It changed to Belgium and Blues in 2017.
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Greenhouse
This pub on the corner of Carlton Crescent and Bedford Place was called so because of the massive amount of windows it had. It later became The Wine Bar before changing to Yuzu Lounge Bar. The building was then split into two to house Shrimp and Burger restaurant and Rumba bar. The building became one again a few years back when it was taken over by restaurant chain XOXO.
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Ikon and Diva
Two separate clubs (kind of) but with a door leading from one to the other. Ikon, which became popular for its Ibiza-style foam parties, was for over 18s while Diva was for the slightly more mature over 25s. Based in Leisure World, the clubs were replaced by the enormous multi-themed venue Oceana in 2008. Oceana shut in 2021.
Which Southampton nightclub or bar do you miss the most?
Let us know which Southampton nightspot from the past you miss the most
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