Who wants The Arena back?
Plus, Armagh woman's Rhodes horror; and Craigavon man rips victim's ear off with pliers
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Many of us will remember the nightclub-scene of the nineties – sort of! Living for the weekend, it was the ‘eat, sleep, rave, repeat’ lifestyle for most young people. Nightclubs like the renowned Met/Arena; The Bunker; Spider’s; The Belmont and The Banville in Banbridge were always packed to overflowing. (And remember when The Coach realised people couldn’t quite make it through the week and opened on Wednesdays over the Summer?)
Related: Stunning images from inside The Arena in Armagh show how it looks today
Armagh has a somewhat quirky recreational history. We were a city that at one stage boasted several cinema houses, a roller rink, social clubs and dinner dances. There were night buses laid on for the sole purpose of bringing those in rural locations into the city for a weekend’s entertainment.
Few will remember the pub on Scotch Street that opened only one day a year for 17 years, but some may know its successor, the Canadian-themed Wagon Wheel and even more may remember it as Spider’s Rest or Calvert’s Tavern. This – now barren – building became a bustling hub of nightlife for the best part of 50 years.
Then, there was the alcohol-free bar! Father Seamus Rice set up the ‘pub with no beer’, to help with temperance and reduce the temptation to take a drink when socialising, providing a safe space for young and old who simply didn’t need (or want) a drink to have fun.
Related: Plans lodged to convert former Armagh bar and nightclub into church and coffee house
The city still has a vibrant nightlife, it’s just – dare I say it – more civilised! The Market Place Theatre and Armagh City Hotel have a constant stream of plays, events and concerts; attracting big names like author Lee Childs and Prof Brian Cox within the next six months. Perhaps another Bunker reunion night wouldn’t go amiss!
The question is still worth asking – do we as a city provide enough in the way of recreation for the late teen or twenty-something? Are nightclubs a thing of the past or do we want them back? Click the ‘Leave a Comment’ button below to let us know what social space you would like to see in Armagh.
Headlines
Man jailed for two years for multiple offences involving child images and sextortion
Co Armagh woman holidaying on Rhodes says atmosphere ‘surreal’ as tourists flee wildfires
Craigavon man who ripped off part of man’s ear with pliers jailed for four-and-a-half years
Man (32) arrested in Armagh following online sting by ‘protectors of innocent children’ group
Pedestrian knocked down in Portadown with driver cautioned at scene
Two men suspected of carrying out crime spree made off on foot after crash near Newry
Domino’s Pizza plans new outlet at Moira on site of former restaurant
Adam’s 24 Hour Challenge: Huge day planned to mark event’s second year!
‘Exciting’ new tenant poised to move into former Sainsbury’s unit at Rushmere in Craigavon
Armagh Jobs
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