Ok first of all I'm new here so sorry if you've heard it all before but I want to get crackin so to speak and I couldn't find any threads that I had a (strong) opinion on so here goes.....!

I've lived in Sheffield for almost six years and there's many things I love about it (the people, proximity to the peaks, relative safety for a city to name but a few) but one of the things I'm NOT too inmpressed with is the general night life....its become a clone town! meaning that, whenever that comment was made about Britain's high streets were becoming non descript clones of each other, well I think this has happened to Sheffield's night spots...eg. Revolution, RSVP, Yates etc etc.

I remember when I first moved here reading a massive article on Sheffield's own Warp Records commenting on why they were vacating the city and having to move to London. the boys were saying that Sheffield had basically become one massive student campus and there was little life outside of the realms of this. Thats how they saw it anyway and I remember thinkin, 'I b!oody hope not, be good to find out if there is life in the owd city yet'....six years later and I've got to conclude they were right!!

Yeah I know there's some good independent nights and a reasonable free party scene but NOTHING in comparison to Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham. what we seem to be left with is the run of the mill student nights and staple townie diet of west street and divison street. Nothing against this just not my thing really.

Just want to say that I think variety is the spice of life so I think there should be everything available in any city and my tastes that are just a little off the mainstream (northern soul, funk, independent hip hop, dub/reggae...) are not well represented.

You thoughts please!

There are quite a few "independent" nights around town. Do you ever go to anything at the Everyone centre (Transmission, Dub Central), Stars Suite (Riddimtion etc), The Earl (Various Nights including Soul Food), Low Life, C90, Zero (Razor Stiletto, Sneak)?

In some ways you are right. There have been a couple of occasions on a Friday/Saturday night when I've been stranded in town without anything I want to go to - so either queue(!) to get into the Showroom with loads of townies for a late night drink or go home.

There is a definite lack of small/original independent bars and venues. Although Liverpool has lots of chain bars etc there are still lots of unique little pubs/bars that seem to pop up everywhere. However I think this is a historical thing

Liverpool/Manchester also have areas where there are lots of late bars (In Liverpool everywhere stays open til 2am. This has been happening at least since I started going out in 1996)

Sheffield also has a terrible council who are basically again late night bars/clubs. There also seems to be a complete lack of venues for people who might want to start their own nights.

Maybe things will change with the changes in licensing at the end of the year but I doubt it...

I'm in total agreement. Over the last half-decade I've watched the Sheffield pub and club seen disintergrate to the point where it's generally more appealing to stay in with a bottle of wine and watch BB on a Friday night!

I've lost count of the number of occasions I've been in town on a Friday or Saturday and found myself entirely stuck for something spontanious to do at 11pm.

You can either pay a stupid ammount of money for the privilege of entering one of the tiny few (and unimpressive) late bars, or queue for hours and pay through the nose to enter an uninspiring night club.

Originally posted by jimmy
There are quite a few "independent" nights around town. Do you ever go to anything at the Everyone centre (Transmission, Dub Central), Stars Suite (Riddimtion etc), The Earl (Various Nights including Soul Food), Low Life, C90, Zero (Razor Stiletto, Sneak)?

In some ways you are right. There have been a couple of occasions on a Friday/Saturday night when I've been stranded in town without anything I want to go to - so either queue(!) to get into the Showroom with loads of townies for a late night drink or go home.

There is a definite lack of small/original independent bars and venues. Although Liverpool has lots of chain bars etc there are still lots of unique little pubs/bars that seem to pop up everywhere. However I think this is a historical thing

Liverpool/Manchester also have areas where there are lots of late bars (In Liverpool everywhere stays open til 2am. This has been happening at least since I started going out in 1996)

Sheffield also has a terrible council who are basically again late night bars/clubs. There also seems to be a complete lack of venues for people who might want to start their own nights.

Maybe things will change with the changes in licensing at the end of the year but I doubt it...

think your spot on lad.
used to live in Liverpool and the night life was some of the best I'd experienced. I remember in about '97 being able to go to late bars with people like the Scratch Pervertz and Peter Parker for 3 quid and it was till two!
know the nights you've mentioned and I'd forgotten about 'the earl', had a few good nights down there! but to be fair apart from the earl and dulo's is there anywhere else doing something a bit original?

I've tried to put on nights in Sheffield with friends in the past as I have done in other cities (the lemon lounge, liverpool for one) and have hit a brick wall basically.......

True. If you go into Leeds at weekends or thereabouts, virtually every bar is open till 2am, and several of them are going for 3.30 and 4am licences. Most of the nightclubs till 4/5am, whilst some are still open at 6am and beyond.

It's unfortunate but true. Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle have a far more eclectic nightlife than Sheffield. Two streets of townie bars, bereft of more left field elements and bars, a complete lack of original club nights with the exception of razor stilleto (until UG returns) and virtually every club doing the same type of nights wherever you go.

Yep. It's bobbins.

Depends what you're into, dunnit. I like indie pop and nice pubs and Sheffield makes me very happy indeed.

I take on board some of the points as being true. One thing I must pick up on though is that Leeds certainly isnt any better than Sheffield.

As I spend a lot of time in Leeds and talk to fellow DJs and promoters they all feel that Sheffield has a far stronger clublife.
Their city's clubs have been strangled by late licence bars.

OK, Sheffield is not blessed with a large number of clubs compared to the other cities mentioned but I think its fair to say that all the independant promoters have tried really hard to make something work with the limited venues that are available.

In the last year Sheffield has had far more visits from top drawer DJs than Leeds (and I accept a big name doesnt necessarily equate to a good night)

As a Sheffielder living out of the city now, I look in wondering why so many insist on knocking what theyve got, rather than praising it.

There are issues that do need looking at I must admit and I do find some things odd or frustrating in the city. For example if people are expected to pay into a 1 or 2am licenced bar, whats the chances of that person paying into a club later in the night? As a consequence why would a promoter bother to book guest DJs (lifting the city's profile) if all his potential customers are spent up and ****** by 2am and on their way home.

If anyone thinks I'm being a little precious about what I do (and thankfully we dont have that problem at Hustle) just think about it for a while. Bars and clubs sit hand in hand to create a strong nightlife but its the clubs and the DJs they book that raises the city's overall profile.

Overall though I think the city does have some strong and varied events, and it will get even better this Autumn.

Originally posted by dimitrysoul
I take on board some of the points as being true. One thing I must pick up on though is that Leeds certainly isnt any better than Sheffield.

As I spend a lot of time in Leeds and talk to fellow DJs and promoters they all feel that Sheffield has a far stronger clublife.
Their city's clubs have been strangled by late licence bars.

OK, Sheffield is not blessed with a large number of clubs compared to the other cities mentioned but I think its fair to say that all the independant promoters have tried really hard to make something work with the limited venues that are available.

In the last year Sheffield has had far more visits from top drawer DJs than Leeds (and I accept a big name doesnt necessarily equate to a good night)

As a Sheffielder living out of the city now, I look in wondering why so many insist on knocking what theyve got, rather than praising it.

fair do's lad, I'm just saying that I don't think Sheffield has much variety and number of what I'd enjoy as quality nights for a city its size...compared to Liverpool say, thats much smaller, they've got a much more vibrant scene. I'd agree that the local independent promoters make the best of a bad lot tho

Ha you replied while I was adding some more thoughts, but lets get involved and excited about what we have in the city

Originally posted by dimitrysoul
Ha you replied while I was adding some more thoughts, but lets get involved and excited about what we have in the city

Aye....don't worry, I don't sit at home bitter and twisted grumbling to no-one in particular about the state of the citiy's nightlife..! I get out there and try and support the local nights as best I can

Sorry but I have to disagree with nearly everything you've said here. I think it is pretty much undeniable that as things stand currently, Leeds has Sheffield beat hands down in terms of available venues, nights, and DJs. And late bars as well, obviously.

You say that Sheffield has had more well-respected or 'big name' DJs than Leeds in the last year- but Leeds regularly has visits from the biggest guests in all genres you care to think of- for example Laurent Garnier, Jeff Mills, Magda, Derrick Carter, Mark Farina etc etc , as well as having a proliferation of underground nights that bring in guests that I'm afraid no promoters in Sheffield would dare to bring in as the market for them is just not there. The venue selection in Leeds is simply incomparable with Sheffield- rehab, mint club, stinkys are all examples of small to mid-size clubs that there are many of in Leeds that there are a distinct lack of in Sheffield (hence promoters being forced to put nights on in all sorts of odd spaces).

I don't agree with your claims about late bars either. Leeds has ****loads more late bars than Sheffield, and it also has a far more varied, exciting and vibrant club scene at this current time. Therefore I don't think you can say that latebar culture has harmed club culture. The people who don't want to go to clubs actually still have somewhere to drink after 11, and the people who want to dance can go and dance.

I know things are changing within the city and the arrival of the Plug means that a lot of nights are going to have the chance to bring in new and exciting guests, and I know as a promoter you have to be unshakingly positive, but we shouldn't kid ourselves that Sheffield has anywhere near the nightlife options that are present in Leeds.

That's my two-pence, anyway.


Originally posted by dimitrysoul
I take on board some of the points as being true. One thing I must pick up on though is that Leeds certainly isnt any better than Sheffield.

As I spend a lot of time in Leeds and talk to fellow DJs and promoters they all feel that Sheffield has a far stronger clublife.
Their city's clubs have been strangled by late licence bars.

OK, Sheffield is not blessed with a large number of clubs compared to the other cities mentioned but I think its fair to say that all the independant promoters have tried really hard to make something work with the limited venues that are available.

In the last year Sheffield has had far more visits from top drawer DJs than Leeds (and I accept a big name doesnt necessarily equate to a good night)

As a Sheffielder living out of the city now, I look in wondering why so many insist on knocking what theyve got, rather than praising it.

There are issues that do need looking at I must admit and I do find some things odd or frustrating in the city. For example if people are expected to pay into a 1 or 2am licenced bar, whats the chances of that person paying into a club later in the night? As a consequence why would a promoter bother to book guest DJs (lifting the city's profile) if all his potential customers are spent up and ****** by 2am and on their way home.

If anyone thinks I'm being a little precious about what I do (and thankfully we dont have that problem at Hustle) just think about it for a while. Bars and clubs sit hand in hand to create a strong nightlife but its the clubs and the DJs they book that raises the city's overall profile.

Overall though I think the city does have some strong and varied events, and it will get even better this Autumn.

Yeah, what do I know, i've only worked in the leisure industry for 17 years.

we are a joke of a town when it comes to leisure and entertainment.

crap pubs, clubs, bars, cinemas, shops, restaurants etc etc.

We are on par with places such as Hull for a night out.

We have little or no variety. Nothing that ever leads the way.

Watcher, Ive only done it for 20 years.....

I always listen to other peoples opinions, so while I disagree with you Sloth its good that you have strong views on the matter.

Maybe I didnt make myself clear in the first instance but the angle on Leeds is not entirely my opinion more so that of Leeds promoters and DJs.

Rehab has resorted to cheap drinks and RnB on Fridays, I know a friend of mine is havig a hard time at Mint getting people in and recently asked my advice, and Basics is not full every week (and its not a huge club is it). SpeedQueen is consistently busy though. More over Hustle has had 2 invites to set up shop in Leeds at a pair of well established clubs cause they cant get the people in.

Yes you are correct in the quantity of bars in Leeds, wouldnt argue with that. Not sure that I said anything to question that situation Sloth. Indeed going back 5 years there was 92 2am entertainment licences in the city.

My point about bars was based on my experiences in Sheffield.

Anyway apologies if I confused anyone but having read back what I originally wrote I think you got the wrong end of the stick in some instances. Its good to debate though aint it?

Originally posted by sloth
Sorry but I have to disagree with nearly everything you've said here. I think it is pretty much undeniable that as things stand currently, Leeds has Sheffield beat hands down in terms of available venues, nights, and DJs. And late bars as well, obviously.



Just one other point of clarification. I observed there is NOT alot of club venues in Sheffield to work in and therefore the promoters deserve praise for making good of what is available.

Yes Leeds has loads of venues but few are filling them every week.

And yes Plug will be a welcome addition to Sheffield

Peace
D

Fair play.
You suggested that Leeds' bars are strangling the club scene and I was just disputing that.
On different nights in Leeds you can go to : Basics, Mad Hatters, Technique, Form, Asylum, Superconductor, Speedqueen, RudeNot2 etc etc . These are all quality clubnights (not bars pretending to be clubs) that are present in leeds.
And that's essentially just for house/techno music or other slight variations of it- let alone other genres! If Sheffield had such a choice I'd be more than happy!
Still, debate is good.

Dimitry, like myself, i'm suprised your still alive then! lol. Good to see you're old skool then!

Sheffield has always had a problem with good club nights, everything ends up becoming nights for the beautiful people. Love to be, Crasher, Rise, NY Sushi, etc etc. Exceptions to the rule were Occasions, Trash, Razor Stilleto, Urban Gorilla, Sushi started off well and then chased the dollar frighteningly quickly.

It just astounds me that Sheffield cannot push the boat out. For a City this size, it astounds me how similar every bar in the City centre is, they're all chasing the same crowd, yet no-one wants to do anything different.

The whole scene needs a massive shake up in this town, it's crazy mate. However, I have to say i stay well clear of the house scene, thats probably due to the way house suffocated the club scene between 93-95 until certain nights broke free all over the country.

I have to say, i'm absolutely astounded to see Love to be return to the Sheffield nightlife. Never ever rated that night, the image or the vibe of that club at all. Always struck me as the anthethisis of what clubbing was always about and at the end of the day, the DJ's have a lot to answer for with the way they raised there fees in the mid nineties to such a point that the punters suffered. I remember booking Sasha in 1990, he cost me £400 for a six hour set. Six years later, he wanted £5000 for 2 hours and an unbelievable rider. I nearly fell through the floor! Coxy was the same, unreal.

Rise was the same, I could see exactly where it was going, made an offer to complete redesign the night back in July 1996, came up with a radical new ideas, borrowed a few things from other places we'd been to during 96, got bookings provisionally confirmed until March 97, to have it turned down for a rival bid from a member of the leadmills promotion team who wanted to keep it as it was and change the decor. Imagine my suprise to discover the new decor was the plans i'd submitted.

Annoyed, not half!!

So where'd you start out then? Back to the future I in hampshire was the first one i was involved in!

Its difficult to pin down exactly when and where was the first, but Im guessing its what was the back room of Max's Downtown Bar (now the Room/Fez).
This would be around '82/ '83 with my friend Gary and Winston Hazel. Music was Funk Soul electro.

The belt driven decks were hung from the ceiling and it had stereotypical B&W 60's 'model' photos all around the place. Its was freezing.

We really didnt have a grasp on what were doing then other playing our favourite records and inviting friends round but it was a strange mix of people and music that worked for a while.

Bizarrely I see the same theme now in other events that are out there, musically.

I also recall playing in the Psalter Lane annexe about that time, maybe a bit later. Again Soul funk etc probably Herbie Hancock- Rockit, Gary Byrd - The Crown, Sharon Redd etc

So thats where it started for me Watcher

Just thought...
whatever happened to Remedy? that had the right idea in my opinion. when they did nights at big enough venues to have the two rooms representing different styles, normally tech/deep house/funky techno in the main and more laid back beats and the like in the smaller room it was spot on. its mad tho cos I remember Scruff playing at what must have been mid 2000 in the back room at Bed and the place was DEAD...to the point where he played 'Ghost town' Now that just isn't right. two years later and he'd sold out Phonetics....guess you can put that down to a sucessfull album and huge single ('get a move on') but still....Scruff has been a respected name since the late 90s and to have him playing the second room somewhere and it not be rammed just isn't right

Originally posted by dimitrysoul
Its difficult to pin down exactly when and where was the first, but Im guessing its what was the back room of Max's Downtown Bar (now the Room/Fez).
This would be around '82/ '83 with my friend Gary and Winston Hazel. Music was Funk Soul electro.

The belt driven decks were hung from the ceiling and it had stereotypical B&W 60's 'model' photos all around the place. Its was freezing.

We really didnt have a grasp on what were doing then other playing our favourite records and inviting friends round but it was a strange mix of people and music that worked for a while.

Bizarrely I see the same theme now in other events that are out there, musically.

I also recall playing in the Psalter Lane annexe about that time, maybe a bit later. Again Soul funk etc probably Herbie Hancock- Rockit, Gary Byrd - The Crown, Sharon Redd etc

So thats where it started for me Watcher

If me ma would have let me out back then I would have been there :thumbsup: classic stuff! a bit off the topic here but as much as Yoda can irritate me, that mix on his 80s CD where he mashes Rockit with The Final Countdown is one of the funniest things I've ever heard!

Originally posted by Bacala
...to the point where he played 'Ghost town'

I often think that tune's about Sheffield. :)

"this town, is coming like a ghost town. All the clubs have been shut down".

Originally posted by sloth
I often think that tune's about Sheffield. :)

"this town, is coming like a ghost town. All the clubs have been shut down".

I know if I'd b!oody thought about it I'd have called the thread, "this town, its coming like a clonetown" !