Prior to the 2003 Licensing Act, which enabled pubs to open pretty much when they liked, nightclubbing was the only available option to drinkers after 11pm; and meant they could charge an admission fee.
Even then they had to close at 2am, which is when the young and pretty of today are just warming up on a weekend. For the benefit of those with the good fortune to be too young to remember the city’s nightclub heyday, here is a personal reminiscence of 10 of them.
5. Culture Club were just one of the bands you would never hear at "Slime Night" in Rascals - along with any other band you had heard of
I remember very little about this place, although I do recall “Slime Night” on Mondays when the DJ would play music by “alternative” bands. So alternative in fact that no one had heard of any of them; before or since. Photo: Sunderland Echo
6. Revellers in Bentley's worshipping their three patron saints: Stock, Aitken and Waterman
Happily this club is still operating as Illusions and is justifiably popular. During its time as Bentley’s it was geared towards the younger reveller and seemed to play nothing but Stock, Aitken and Waterman. Beloved among apprentices. Photo: Sunderland Echo
7. Foster's nightclub inspired the Toy Dolls' song Fisticuffs in Frederick Street
Fosters was renowned for hosting symposiums on matters of state and could become quite lively. It later changed name to Heroes, purportedly because you needed to be one to go in. It was the subject of the Toy Dolls’ song Fisticuffs in Frederick Street, the B side to their smash single Nellie the Elephant. Photo: Sunderland Echo
8. Before becoming the Blue Monkey the building was a Bedford Street bingo hall
You probably know its chequered history. However, at its best the Blue Monkey had something for every night time reveller, depending on what day it was. Previously a theatre, cinema then bingo hall, it still had a bust of Shakespeare on its edifice. Photo: Sunderland Echo