It was one of Sunderland’s best loved nightclubs and memories of Bentleys still live in the hearts of Wearsiders.
But we wonder how many of these 11 facts you knew about the Holmeside venue.
We found out lots about the former favourite including the managers, staff, regulars and some of the fantastic attractions that you would have found in Bentleys in its heyday.
So read on for memories of bungee games, bucking broncos, charity nights and even the club’s links to Showaddywaddy.
Once you have had a good browse through our gallery of recollections, get in touch to tell us more.
Or perhaps you would like to tell us about other types of nostalgia you would want to see in our retro section.
It might be memories of your favourite shop, club, nightclub or restaurant. Maybe you want to get back in touch with former workmates from a Sunderland factory, or with pals who you went to school with.
Or perhaps you would like to share memories of a sporting occasion in the past which you would like to revisit.
Tell us more by emailing [email protected]
5. Kisses for charity
Bentleys barmaids Claire Townsend and Sharon Gibson puckered their lips and planted hundreds of smackers on their customers in 1987 to raise money for the Sunderland Association Fights Cancer appeal. They raised £105. | se
6. Man of many talents
Champion body builder Tony McQueen was not only religious minister, a Kung Fu black belt and a table tennis coach — he also became the manager of Bentleys in 1987. He worked there since the complex first opened and moved up through the ranks from reception supervisor to his new position. | se
7. Pulling power in 1987
Teams of heavyweights, including one from Bentleys, pulled double decker buses along a seafront course to raise hundreds of pounds for famine relief in Ethiopia. But the nightclub team lost the challenge by a whisker to rivals from the Polaris gym. | se
8. Bucking bronco memories
The latest attraction at the club was the Bucking Bronco and it arrived in November 1987. Competitions were held to find the people who could stay on it the longest. Pictured trying out the machine in 1987 were (left to right) Angela Robinson, Phil Monk and Lesley Robinson. | se