With many people enjoying some well deserved time off work, the space between Christmas and New Year’s Eve - known as the daft days in Scotland - can get a bit wild.
Here in Glasgow, some spend their time off enjoying the clubs and bars the city has to offer. As we prepare to do exactly that this week, we’re looking back on some of the much loved nighttime venues the city has lost.
From heavy nights out at Archaos to dancing the evening away at Glasgow’s ‘Love Boat’, there’s some pretty great spots that we miss. Check out some of our favourites below.
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Archaos
Putting the daft in daft days, Archaos was one of the city’s most notorious nightclubs.
Before it closed in 2007, it was one of the hottest clubs in Glasgow - with arguably the most relaxed door policy. Average folks mingled with footballers and celebs on the dancefloor, and even the most drunk among us was likely to get in.
Famously, Charlie Sheen spent a night in Archaos before venturing to Easterhouse to keep the party going.
The Arches
Slam on Fridays, Colour on Saturdays - we all remember (or maybe we don’t) the wild nights at The Arches.
Throughout the ‘90s and into the ‘00s, it was the place to be for any rave fan. Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it was also the ideal spot to dance off any festive feast.
It closed for good in 2015, and we’ve never been the same since.
Soundhaus
With a reputation for their techno and house nights, Soundhaus sat in a converted bakery and defined the ‘00s for rave lovers.
We said goodbye to the club with a weekend branded the Final Tango, after it was earmarked for demolition in 2012.
Destiny
For most people of a certain age, Destiny was probably your first nightclub experience.
Fishbowls, foam parties and the cheapest drinks you could find - the club was also known for sticky floors and crowded dancefloors. We lost it in 2007 when Sea moved in, though the replacement club only lasted two years.
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Cleopatra’s
Clatty Pats as it was lovingly nicknamed, was the place to be every weeknd in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Now Kitty O’Sheas, we lost Cleopatra’s in the early ‘00s - so if you managed to squeeze in a dance to Atomic Kitten count yourself lucky.
Bennets
Considered Glasgow’s first gay club, Bennets closed for good in the early ‘10s.
As the tale goes, the man who started the club pulled the wool over the eyes of the owners to get it going and withheld telling them he was running gay nights. They proved massively popular, and the owners had no choice but to keep it going.
Celebs such as Viola Wills, drag queen Divine and others performed in its walls back in the day.
Bonkers
A venue that truly lived up to its name, the club only lasted two years.
Police Commander John Wilson reportedly told the licensing board in 2002: “Young people attending are taking their lives in their hands by walking in the door.”
With bottles of beer for 50p during happy hour, we can see where that sentiment came from.
The Cotton Club
Housed in the old Maryland Ballroom, which Pink Floyd played at, this spot was once known as Maestro’s before becoming the Cotton Club.
A firm favourite of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the only difficulty with this spot was getting up the hill from Sauchiehall Street in the winter months. The CCA now stands in its place.
Joe Paparazzi’s
The place to be for bass and rave in the ‘90s, this spot was known for their impressive sound system and top quality DJs.
Occupying an old cinema space at the top of Sauchiehall Street, the building was once an ‘adults only’ cinema before becoming the Tatler Cinema Club. These days, the building is run down and at risk of demolition.
Tuxedo Princess
One of Glasgow’s more unique nighttime venues, this spot was nicknamed the Love Boat.
Floating on the Clyde, dancers could spend the night on the boat - which had no less than eight bars and a revolving dance floor, which was once the car deck.
After ten years of parties, the odd venue closed for good in 1998.
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