General Chat

Pat, Yes, the Locarno was the name the dancehall had in the 50s and 60s. We used to go bowling at Streatham Bowl, ice skating at the Silver Blades and roller skating at the Brixton rink too. The Manor House was the pub near the tube station, not sure if it's called that or if it's still there. I left London in 1971 and have never lived there since. We were dance-mad - used to go to Soho quite a lot from 1963-1967. It was easy to get to on the bus. Marquee (when we could get in!), Whisky a Go Go and Flamingo in Wardour St (we weren't 18, just got in through friends), 100 Club in Oxford Street, and Ready, Steady, Go! studio off Kingsway when someone could get tickets. Also went a few times to Richmond to see the Stones in their early days, but that was a long way to go for us and I always got hell from my Mum for getting home so late. Used to like Le Macabre coffee bar in Meard St, Soho - all painted black inside and tables shaped like coffins! Did the best cappuccinos there. My brother used to go to the 2i s. He played in a band (as a hobby, not for a living - wasn't that good!) in the 50s/early 60s, and they were always on the lookout for new music to play. CB >|<

I used to go to the Streatham Locarno when I was about 14 or 15. What about Heaven & Hell, and The 2i's in Soho? Great Compton Street I think. We used to go down into the cellar and drink coffee, smoke fags, and listen to the latest music just when Rock'n'Roll and Skiffle started. Mem'ries, from the corners of my mind.

Hi Pat, I was around at early to mid 70's. Started working at holiday camps( waitress) then moved to Tenerife in Oct, 1976 for 12yrs. We didn't do the West End often, only to the pubs around Carnaby street at lunchtimes. I worked in the Accounts Dept at Libertys. Paid on Friday morning skint by the end of lunch after going round the shops. Those were the days. Maxine

Well yeah Maxine, LOL Brick Lane/Club Row too, I used to search for records so prefered to check the other Lane. Did you used to have a drink later in Dirty Dicks? LOL us lot used to split up and meet there after. Stopped going to Cherries used to be some fights outside, got a bit hairy sometimes, yet a lot of the crowd were the same as Spooky lady crowd, Strange that? Did you do the West End as well? mid to late 1970's. Pat x

Hi Pat, Yes, the Room at Top was in Ilford, I remember now. No, I don't remember Cherries. I expect you used to go down Petticoat Lane on a Sunday morning? I did. Maxine

Mary Sarf London was Cats Whiskers Sreatham 1970's, really good there. was that the Locarno before then, I know the place is still there but called something like Swan now, I fing, talk about your memory cells? Where was the Manor House, was it at Manor House Seven Sisters Road??? Pat x

Hi Arthur, They lived there for a longtime, long before I knew the family which was through the 1970's. The only thing was they were all Tottenham supporters (natch) the only thing we argued about seen as I had good taste and was/ is an ARSENAL FAN (natch) LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! X Pat x

... and then there was the Manor House ... somebody Raven ... was it Mike? The memory cell's packed up. The Sarf London equivalent of Tottenham Royal was Streatham Locarno - any Norf Londoners ever get down there? CB >|<

Hi Maxine, I used to go to the Room at the Top, It was in Ilford, weren't it? above a big Department store if I remember right, I do remember having to get in the lift to get to the Top!!! The Spooky Lady at the Marshes, I didn't eat chicken in those days (Veggie), but there was always plenty of takers for mine. Wonder were you and me there at the same time then? LOL Did you got to Cherries as well? that was across the way from Spooky Lady but I didn't like it so much. Oh the memories, make me laugh just thinking about it all. Arthur A friend of my families lived in Bruce Grove, their name was Knox? Pat x

Hi. I remember the Tottenham Royal well. My Dad met my Mum there in the 50's and I used to go there in the early 70's. Various d.j's of the time used to go there on a Saturday night. I saw Thin Lizzy, Rubettes & the Bay City Rollers( Under duress I might add, My little sister loved them). I can remember the ladies toilets was rather a large room. Happy times, especially, slow dancing and smooching. I can also remember we used to go to place called the Spooky Lady( it did a mean Chicken in the Basket) and The Room at the Top in Harlow. Maxine

Hi Arthur, I remeber the Palace picture house and knew Bruce Grove. I used to live off of Philip Lane. Have not been there for years now, I live in SE london now Margaret x

My friends and I used to go there occasionally, but it was a long way from home in South London. Remember the Dave Clark 5? CB >|<

I went there in the early to mid 70's. Oh Shoot! had forgotten the Royal, used to live in Friern Barnet and went there most weekends. Nostalgia or what??? 2nd Thought!! my friend won a holiday to Corfu for 2 people one Friday night, you used to get ticket as you went in and hers came up!! Kim

Hi I remember the Tottenham Royal but it was still there in the 1970's! I think it was mid 1970's it closed? can't be very sure on that 'cause by that time it had gone right down as the place to be. I was sneaked in a couple of times when I was too young, my mates from School went there 'cause they lived in the Holloway area, I lived further away and used to meet up for a youth club disco, instead of that rubbish we went off up Tottenham. Oh Yeah it's a longtime ago now, fun thinking about it though. Pat x

Hi Margaret, No I did'nt live in Tottenham. I actually lived in Central London at the time. People went to the Tottenham Royal from all over the place, Essex, East London, south London and wherever. The was the only decent dancehall for miles around. Jo.

Hi Jo, Yes I remember the Tottenham Royal from the late 50's and early 60's. Is this where you come from, I lived in Tottenham until late 60's. Margaret xx

I would spend two or three hours just getting ready, I was young, why did it take so long? Now forty years later it takes fifteen minutes. How sad is that? We would get there about nine thirty and could bop all night, of course round our handbags! Now I sit in on a Saturday night watching Casaulty with my feet up wearing slippers and scoffing chocolates. Am I sad? Where did it go? Jo.