Does anyone remember the El Mambo Club/Coffee bar on Union St in the 60s, Dodgy place that! I remember as a teenager going down to look at all the characters who frequented it but we did`nt dare go in, then somebody blew the front out and it never reopened, drugs I think.

Originally posted by David Bowler
Does anyone remember the El Mambo Club/Coffee bar on Union St in the 60s, Dodgy place that! I remember as a teenager going down to look at all the characters who frequented it but we did`nt dare go in, then somebody blew the front out and it never reopened, drugs I think.

It was actually in the mid-fifties when it opened, and it took a large chunk of the Marsden Milk Bar 'clientel'( Which was about the only place in town for teenagers having a jukebox - 3d a pop!).

I used to go there in the 50s. Expresso coffee was on the menu.
Just top of the arcade almost next to the Elmambo was Barney Goodman the tailor. How i used to look in their window and wish i could afford those prices. I also remember i used to go to Colvins which was opposite the market now and buy a new collar to wear on Saturday nights.Those collar studs used to make dints in your neck but i thought they didnt half look smart. Anybody else remember these. Come on show your age.

Yeah! i had to wear my dads till we could afford some proper shirts, most uncomfortable.

There is now a restaurant in Gleadless called Mambo. They do lovely Pizzas

Used to go down the stairs at the El Mambo. Had my first esspresso there. Cannot understand the appeal of black mud to this day. Then used to go up to a Marsden's milk bar somewhere near City hall, just off the Moor, then down to the one at Lady's Bridge, then caught the tram outside to Wadsley Bridge. Cool night out when I was 12!!

I remember El Mambo but never went in, but I do remember wearing starched collars. I used to take mine and my brothers to a chinese laundry at the top of Whitham Road at Broomhill , they made them good as new for just a few pennies each collar.
Anybody else remember them

deecee

El Mambo. Ah yes I remember it well - Was I one of the dodgy characters? I suppose I was. It was opened by a guy called Ted something-or-other who, I believe, stocked it with the very first juke box in the UK imported from the US of A. Downstairs was the place to be. Where are you Murph, Weed Merchant et al? Last seen in Brighton in 1964 slaving away for the local Highways Dept but not taking part in the mods and rockers set to!! But back to El Mambo. No names no pack drill but it did make the front page of the Manchester edition of the Daily Mirror. What happened to the dolly bird with the cut glass accent who lived at Millhouses then married a vicar in Guildford (allegedly). Happy days -and yes I am drawing my state pension!!! Wasn't Colvins the place where they advertised suits in £ and $ ? Anthony - better known as Andy 'im wi' London accent'

Ted Baker is the or was the owner of the el mambo at the time he was a local villian

On my 16th birthday some friends from work and me went on a coffee bar crawl. Thursday afternoon, half day closing in them days.
We finished up in the general area of the El Mambo which had just been in the news around that time. We stood outside, had a giggle and dared each other to go in.
It was MY birthday so guess who got to go in first.:suspect: We literally went in the door, down some steps , back up and straight back out into daylight, collapsing in fits of giggles yet again....All that giggling and yet not a drop of alcohol had passed our lips.:hihi:
I always thought it was something to do with prostitution that it became a "bad place" I do remember a name, but its not any of the ones mentioned. I think he got sent down, so I'd better not mention it here. He might be out by now.....oh, I was 16 in 1958:thumbsup:

Does anyone remember Jack Gagg working there ? He would havebeen 30 ish made the coffees etc.
Why was it dodgy ?

I spent a lot of happy hours in that place. All dressed up, drain pipe trousers, drape coat, black sued beatle crushers and D A hair cut. :thumbsup:

I spent a lot of happy hours in that place. All dressed up, drain pipe trousers, drape coat, black sued beatle crushers and D A hair cut. :thumbsup:

Me too, Peterdo. Well remember Murph - mentioned earlier- who also used to go in the Disc Jockey and Albion on London Rd. We were in the El Mambo one night when Jim Dale came in and gave us a free mini-concert as he was appearing at the Empire next door (must have been his break) including his hit: 'Be my Girl', I think. Dressed like yourself we would buy 'joysticks' from a little shop opposite, they were like an ordinary cig but about three times as long - and by the way contained only tobacco. I think it was 9d for a seat in the Empire 'gods' then- happy days indeed.

I had forgotten all about the Disc Jockey, though can't think why as I spent as great deal of time in there. I also paid a visit to El Mambo, the two rooms downstairs were called " Heaven and Hell". Anyone remember Thursday nights at the Locarno ? Oh happy days !!!!!!!!