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[Sam65]

Hello all,

I am doing a bit of research on some Aberdeen venues of the past, and I wondered if any of you could help with some info on "The Venue" Aberdeen and "Ritzy's" Aberdeen.

Both these places had many gigs throughout the eighties.

I hoped some forum members could tell me where these venues were situated in Aberdeen, and have they tranformed into venues that are still open now? And if so what are the current names of the venues.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Best wishes
Sam65

[kingofdeon]

Originally Posted by Sam65

Hello all,

I am doing a bit of research on some Aberdeen venues of the past, and I wondered if any of you could help with some info on "The Venue" Aberdeen and "Ritzy's" Aberdeen.

Both these places had many gigs throughout the eighties.

I hoped some forum members could tell me where these venues were situated in Aberdeen, and have they tranformed into venues that are still open now? And if so what are the current names of the venues.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Best wishes
Sam65

Surely the boy Cynic will furnish you with all the details you need....!

[Alan Cynic]

'The Venue' was the dancehall at the back of the Douglas Hotel, in Market Street. The place is still there, but doesn't get used for gigs (it was used for record fairs for a while a couple of years ago).

'Ritzy's' was one of the names for what was the Palace ballroom in Bridge Place, just off of Bridge St..it was also called Fusion for a while, then Bonkers. Originally it was a cinema...here's some info...
Cinema Treasures | Palace Theatre

You'll also find this thread very useful...
http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums...las-hotel.html

[Sam65]

Thanks very much Alan, great info and links.

Found this page with some photos of The Palace cinema:

Palace

So is the Palace cinema still open as a night club?

Thanks again

Sam65

What was Palace is now Liquid nightclub ain't it?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Exposure @ Lemon Tree

What was Palace is now Liquid nightclub ain't it?

Unfortunately, yes.

[Sam65]

Thanks again to all for the info

[Alan Cynic]

Originally Posted by Sam65

Found this page with some photos of The Palace cinema:

Palace



Sam65

I think that's from the book 'Silver Screen in the Silver City'...the archive photos were taken by one of the Kilau Coffe Shop regulars. (Aberdeen used to have more cinemas per head of population than any other city in the UK, apparently).

[Ross]

i recognise the carpet in one of those pictures.
nice to see that in 1936 you couldn't park anywhere near the bloody place either!!!!!

[Jim Stax]

Aaaah, the Venue. Run in the day by Mr Duncan Hendry of APA. Spent three nights a week in there and saw some great and not so great bands. It was odd in the fact that the bands, most touring, were only part of the evening as it was basically an alternative music dancing club that would have bands on around 11.30-12. Most of the time we would head for the bar area whilst the bands were on. They were all of an alternative persuasion though. Imagine The Tunnels/Moshulu where the focus is on the DJ and he gets a break for a band or two.

Met my wife there when I was a psychobilly and she was a goth (and I was a couple of stone lighter)

Was generally open Thursday through to Saturday but would open other nights for gigs.

I should ask Duncan if he still has a list of all the bands that played there or a scrapbook.