Finally.
Andy Pipkin writes:
Just came across this bit of footage from some (sexy) nightclub in Dublin from the 70s. some classic quotes including, “some bands have as much sex in them as a peanut”. A few commentators seem too suggest it was a nightclub on Baggot Street where the Hothouse Flowers played years later? Maybe ask a Broadsheet reader?
Anyone?
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https://www.rte.ie/archives/2020/0304/1120176-dublin-nightclubs/
I do not recognise any of those clubs, a bit before my time. But in the late 80s and early 90s before I moved on to further fields I spent many a Good Friday either fixing or replacing the sound systems in clubs across Dublin. I think my favourite was Shaft on Dame Street, which I never even knew was there. I walked past the entrance about 10 times, and was thankful my car had a commercial reg and could park in the loading zones.
But the guys were wonderful. Speakers were replaced, and the desk fully cleaned and calibrated. Another team did the lights (I was crap at that, but it was not my area anyway).
They gave me a t-shirt, which I think I should still have. Well, two. One with the name of the club. And another that said ‘Sound Crew’ so I would get in any time I wanted without paying the door. I know I lost that one, which is a pity.
A close second was The Underground in Dunlaoghaire, But that was hell to work in. Not because of the staff – one lady could really have tempted me if I was not so busy. But we could not get close parking, and the system were putting in was heavy. Plus stairs. As Homer would say: we meet again, my old enemy. They changed where the desk was, and re-running the cables was simply hell.
We ran very close to their opening on the Saturday before Easter, working through the night, when they had a male strip group on. Getting out past the ladies wanting to come in was an experience I shall cherish forever.
I probably should not have driven home, but I do not remember that Easter Sunday. I had a good boss, he waited until lunchtime Monday to call me.
Shaft was on Ely Place, where the Ely Wine bar is now.
Dame St, might have been the Asylum?
+ 1 – Good stuff Slightly