A lost Liverpool nightclub loved for decades was filled with "a motley crew of characters" over its lifetime.
Back in the 1970s, Grease hit cinemas, ABBA release Dancing Queen and a number of Liverpudlians were wearing bell bottom pants or tie dye outfits. But it was also the decade that saw local clubbers religiously spend their weekends at the likes of The Grafton, The Hollywood, The She Club - and Pickwicks.
Also known as Mr Pickwicks, the club on Fraser Street near London Road first opened its doors in May 1972. It was one of several clubs, along with Falcon's Crest in Formby and Wookey Hollow in Tuebrook, owned by the late body-building champion and former Knowsley councillor Terry Phillips.
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When it first opened, Pickwicks was naturally one of Liverpool's glossiest and most attractive nightclubs. On May 26, 1972, the ECHO reported how even half empty, it had an intimate atmosphere and "it didn't stay half-empty for long any evening."
At one point, a corner nearest the entrance boasted a speciality cocktail bar and there was also a massive island bar with 160ft of serving space halfway along the top tier, with a smaller bar behind that. Most couldn't imagine ordering food at a nightclub today, but in the 70s, Pickwicks sold chicken in a basket for 45p and cuts of steak for £1.10.
Wines, champagne, spirits and bottled and draught beers made up the drinks list, with memberships costing 55p a year. Open every night except Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays were classed as over-30s nights.
What are your memories of Pickwicks? Let us know in the comments section below.
Through the 70s, 80s and 90s, Pickwicks continued to attract clubbers from across Merseyside. In a previous ECHO article, the late DJ Janice Long said she remembered going to see Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s first gig at Mr Pickwick’s in Liverpool in 1980s.
According to Jade Wright's Dirty Stop Outs Guide to 1970s Liverpool, Pickwicks is said to have had a massive dancefloor and an over 25s disco also took place there. In the book, one fan of the club said: "Pickwicks was great - a massive dance floor with little booths, a huge bar along the back wall.
"They had cabaret nights and an over 25s disco. Great fun. It was a motley crew of characters - everyone from disco freaks to hen parties, stag dos and everything in between, with cabaret bands and singers during the week too. They build the National Express bus station on the land adjacent."
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But after nearly 30 years in business, Pickwicks was no more and was replaced by a new dance club. On February 13, 1998, the ECHO reported: "Valentine's Day sees the launch of a brand new club in Liverpool.
"Well fairly new, because the white bunker on Fraser Street has been a club for decades under the name Pickwicks. But Heaven, we are promised is something different, almost divine.
"A club designed by clubbers for clubbers. And to prove the point, DJ Davy T has booked the lookalike Pope John Paul to open the first night." It's now been over 30 years since Pickwicks closed, but many clubbers still have fond memories there spanning back decades.
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