Anybody who found themselves out and about on the Newcastle social scene in the late 1980s into the '90s will probably remember it as a good time and place.
It was an era when some of us might buy a piece of clobber at Phaze on High Bridge, have a pint or two further along the road at the Duke of Wellington, and enjoy a local band at one of the city's vibrant music venues such as the Jewish Mother in Leazes Arcade, not far from from St James' Park.
The city also enjoyed some decent places where you could enjoy a bite to eat. How about some TexMex at One Eyed Jack's on Pilgrim Street, the Godfather on Market Street for Italian, or this place, Paris Texas on St Mary's Place, not far from Newcastle City Hall?
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Our photograph was taken 25 years ago in October 1997, but the place had opened a little earlier in September 1989, in the same premises as the former Joe Rigotoni's, marketing itself as a restaurant/pizzeria/rock cafe. An article in the Chronicle around the time Paris Texas began trading noted the 1950s/60s vibes, saying it was reminiscent of the cafe in the cult American television show Happy Days .
"It takes you back to happier times," we reported. "Dominating the place is a huge Wurlitzer jukebox, one of the originals, looking as gaudily attractive as ever." You could play eight records for a pound, or one for 20p, "and the minute you put your money in and dial in your choice, the more modern background music from the sophisticated hi-fi equipment cuts out and back you go into the past".
Naming Paris Texas after an actual place in Arizona and the title of a popular 1984 film, the new owners were keen to serve good Italian food and ice cream. When the Chronicle reporter visited, one of the waitresses was even dashing around on roller skates while taking orders amid the 1950s memorabilia. Later, the place would also serve Tex Mex and Mexican food.
Paris Texas had a good innings of two decades or so, trading until around 2008. These days you'll find a Wetherspoons pub called The Five Swans resident in the premises.
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