Golden memories of a Sunderland institution

It was in 1968 that Club Annabel arrived in Sunderland. Who remembers nights out at Annabels, and what was your favourite part of the experience?

There were themed nights, visits by the latest bands, and a chance to look your glamorous best on a great night out in Sunderland.

The popular club originally opened in Walworth Way but later moved to High Street West in the late ’80s as Annabels, where it became famed for its ’70s nights and Christmas fancy dress parties.

By the time of its silver anniversary in 1992, you could look forward to four nights of fun each week.

Wednesdays was ’70s night with DJ Brutus Gold, and there were prize giveaways (with a regular chance to win T-shirts) and drink promotions on Thursdays.

Commercial house, chart dance music, and all types of soul were the order of the day on a Friday and Saturdays were great for all the latest dance sounds.

Big-name musicians, such as Status Quo, Slade and Simon Dupree all performed there too, as did Desmond Dekker, The Foundations and Martin Stephenson and The Daintees.

It was in the early 2000s that the venue finally called time, but the memories definitely lived on.

Who remembers the tins for OAPs night each Christmas. Every year the club held a fancy dress night when the admission price was an item of food.

What are your memories of Annabels? Which artists do you remember watching?

Or is there another Sunderland nightclub which was your favourite and which you would like us to reflect on?

Perhaps there’s a pub or restaurant which you would prefer to look back on.

Whatever your reason for getting in touch, email [email protected]