Oz, Sands, The Palace, Bizness – just a few of the nightclubs which had Blackpool dancefloors bouncing back in the 1980s and 90s.
They are a unique set of photos which also show some of the venues when they were empty, a rare sight when most people were used to being there in darkness – under the ambience of lights and music to set the scene. The clubs are sadly just memories now but let these photos take you back to another era. They’re bound to have you reminiscing.
1. Loved and lost nightclubs
Oz was described on the back of this photo as a disco dream that put the popular Central Pier nightclub ahead of the rest. This was April 1990 when it opened.
Photo: JPIMedia
2. Loved and lost nightclubs
Remembers Macy’s? This was the queue to get in, January 1993
Photo: JPIMedia
3. Loved and lost nightclubs
The Bizness, October 1992
Photo: JPIMedia
4. Loved and lost nightclubs
Main Street, 1995
Photo: JPIMedia
5. Loved and lost nightclubs
Main Square at Main Street in November 1994
Photo: JPIMedia
6. Loved and lost nightclubs
This was Sands Disco in November 1988 – the caption from the time told how the club had joined the Acid House bandwagon
Photo: JPIMedia
7. Loved and lost nightclubs
Inside Main Street, November 1994
Photo: JPIMedia
8. Loved and lost nightclubs
A foam party at The Palace in July 1994
Photo: JPIMedia
9. Loved and lost nightclubs
Queueing for Main Entrance in September 1995
Photo: JPIMedia
10. Loved and lost nightclubs
Who can forget the lasers at The Palace? this was April 1993
Photo: JPIMedia
11. Loved and lost nightclubs
A scene from McCluskeys in 1996
Photo: JPIMedia
12. Loved and lost nightclubs
The unmistakable ‘Oz’ nightclub sign at Central Pier
Photo: JPIMedia
13. Loved and lost nightclubs
Mr Dales, June 1995
Photo: JPIMedia
14. Loved and lost nightclubs
Scruples, Lytham in 1985
Photo: JPIMedia
15. Loved and lost nightclubs
The opening night of Mr Dales, Norbreck, 1989
Photo: JPIMedia
16. Loved and lost nightclubs
This building was home to several bars and clubs including Jenks Bar, Zone and Illusions
Photo: Rob Lock
17. Loved and lost nightclubs
Glitterballs and a new £24k lighting system had been installed at Sands nightclub on Blackpool Promenade in March 1986
Photo: JPIMedia
18. Loved and lost nightclubs
This was the opening night of The Village in 1986. It was described as Blackpool’s first million pound high tech nightspot
Photo: JPIMedia
19. Loved and lost nightclubs
Fleetwood people will remember this place – Planters or the Old Station as it was later renamed. This was November 1995
Photo: JPIMedia
20. Loved and lost nightclubs
Comic relief fundraiser at Shades Disco, March 1989
Photo: JPIMedia