I tried to avoid them both like the plague but when you’re turfed out of the pub at 11.15pm and you fancy a couple more pints where else could we go?

Of the two I preferred the Circ, because ‘stranger’ things happened there, such as naked customers emerging from the toilets and then standing at the bar as if nothing was out of the ordinary, conga dance around the club then out into the street, couples copulating down the side of the club next to the river - Burnley has always been a very romantic town! The beer at the Circ was grim but it was much better then the disgusting chemical taste of the J W Lees bitter at the Angels.

What were your memories?

Were you an Angel or a Circulator?

The Circ really was something new for the town. Up until then we really only had the Mecca in Burnley which had the same look as all the other Meccas.
Circ had that open plan layout and was quite plush when it opened. Most of my nights there were a haze but seemed largely trouble free.
As soon as Angels opened that was the place, taking club design to a new level. The ale was undrinkable… but the music was great

Was the Angels always a Dance music place?

I didn't realise it was around in the 70s. That's some going for a nightclub, they normally only last a few year. As soon as they got successful the landlord doubles the rent.

Definately Angels for me - Circulation far too common and full of ne'er do wells.

Angels was a classier place but as pointed out earlier the JW Lees was disgusting.

Did anyone actually go in a nightclub because of good beer?

Boy the Angels was something else , just loved the vibe .

I was once 'ejected' from Angels because I took my jacket off

Grumps wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:47 am

Did anyone actually go in a nightclub because of good beer?

In the 90s it was strictly bottled beer by the time you got to the nightclub.

In half the pubs as well, now I think about it.

Angels every time. Classier, relatively speaking, with plenty of decent women.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:20 am

Was the Angels always a Dance music place?

I didn't realise it was around in the 70s. That's some going for a nightclub, they normally only last a few year. As soon as they got successful the landlord doubles the rent.

It was at the height of the ecstasy drug period it was a rave place as I recall everybody seemed to be on something in there that’s how I remembered it the odd time I visited & quickly left.

Only tried to get into the circ once and was turned away as I either had trainers on or no jacket, can't remember exactly, yet in front and behind some of Burnley's notorious faces just breezed in ,not a dance music fan so only went to Angel's a couple of times , I used to prefer a lock in at a decent pub.

Was a decent enough alternative early -late 80’s if you couldn’t get in Cats.

Too young for the 70s but The Angels late 80s was a brilliant place. Then leaving and making your way to Blackburn and various other towns to continue the party in any old warehouse/building until caught, memories of an amazing scene and time.

Circ for me, the women were not as stuck up as half the girls at Angels, after a few pints the food was edible and as others have mentioned, Lees beer was terrible at Angels.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:16 pm

Too young for the 70s but The Angels late 80s was a brilliant place. Then leaving and making your way to Blackburn and various other towns to continue the party in any old warehouse/building until caught, memories of an amazing scene and time.

Never too old if you feel young, a small number of men now still rave in there 70s & 80s years of age attending festivals ect.

Didn’t The Hop have a late license?

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:03 pm

It was at the height of the ecstasy drug period it was a rave place as I recall everybody seemed to be on something in there that’s how I remembered it the odd time I visited & quickly left.

I know the late 80s/90s it was but the 70s isn't really known as a rave era.

Circ was a good laugh but Angels was the place to go

I remember Billy Rodaway being a regular at the Angels.
He used to tell us some tales!

Definitely the Circ until Angels opened, then the Circ seemed to go downhill (presumably because they lost some custom and relaxed their entry requirements?) with more fights etc.
From the mid-70s well into the 80s Angels was a great place for pop/dance music and for lots and lots and LOTS of girls!!!

For real class the El Trop couldn't be beat.

Got to be the Circ it had a chippy.

Stickers wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:56 pm

Got to be the Circ it had a chippy.

If I remember rightly so did the Cats

My uncle used to work on the doors at the Circ, Iv heard some stories

Volvoclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:51 pm

For real class the El Trop couldn't be beat.

class is not the word I'd have chosen

Volvoclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:51 pm

For real class the El Trop couldn't be beat.

I remember the El Trop in Nelson. It was on a par with the Circ for ambience and the refined clientele. Good memories.

Volvoclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:00 pm

If I remember rightly so did the Cats

I remember the frothy/soap suds head on yer beer at the Cats. Was it Wilson’s or Watneys they were serving in the 70’s?

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:06 pm

class is not the word I'd have chosen

I didn't say what level of class.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:53 pm

I know the late 80s/90s it was but the 70s isn't really known as a rave era.

That’s true it wasn’t even discovered by then, anyhow a big shout out & respect to any of the old skool crew who are still raving.

Very rarely to the Circulation, sometimes went to the Angels but quite often to Cats Whiskers.

JohnMac wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:59 am

I was once 'ejected' from Angels because I took my jacket off

was it the only thing you were wearing John?

Circ every time for me, in the early 90's Friday night always seemed to end there.....some pretty shady characters were always about too but thankfully I knew a few and they always took me under their wing.....MM used to work the door from memory...a real Burnley after hours place

Angels in the 80''s was a night club like others of that era . Angels changed in 1990 with the rave scene doubt they sold any beer after then ,water ice pops and Purdey's energy drinks . They used to turn the water off in the toilets , beer if any was sold was usually red stripe in tins. People came from all over the country and had some of the biggest names DJ's and groups. Still has a massive following and a few reunions have been held. a couple of years ago. I still go to the old rave and I am in my 50's

Late 70's/early 80's - Smackwater Jack's then Angels or Annabella's - happy days!

Angels

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 2:49 pm

Circ was a good laugh but Angels was the place to go

I’m still recovering from trying to picture CT in Angels…. but Angels it was for me too. Didn’t score often but if I did it would be contrasted by the next date being at the Sparrow Hawk in Fence. Just to impress, like

NRC wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:51 pm

I’m still recovering from trying to picture CT in Angels….

I was young once

Good nightclub in Nelson,during the 90s,great place,All ages,and you could get a sandwich,cheese or ham!

The Angels in the mid to late seventies was excellent. Disco music was getting into its stride, and the place was buzzing (if you could get in) If we couldn't, we'd go to the Cats, but it was a poor substitute.
As mentioned, the ale in the Angels was undrinkable.

The Rose Room (above/on the side) of the Cats was also a cracking night out.

Angels 1981 ……Dave Cook a DJ…..think he’s now in Australia……

Not sure what year but seem to remember (dare I say it) massive build up to Jackson's “Thriller” video release and they played it in the Angels….

How times have changed.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 12:58 pm

Angels every time. Classier, relatively speaking, with plenty of decent women.

I preferred the indecent women

Free grub in 't Circ - as poor newly-weds we had Friday/Saturday meals there.

What was the club near the bus station called ? we went there from IvyBank for a training day one time The bar opened at lunch time so little got done pm
Walked past it on the way to the match and its all boarded up.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:16 am

What was the club near the bus station called ? we went there from IvyBank for a training day one time The bar opened at lunch time so little got done pm
Walked past it on the way to the match and its all boarded up.

Sidewalk 53 ?

Circ for me but can people remember the free coaches to blackpool mecca on a saturday night?

We used to come to Burnley around 73 to 74, but went to the Rose Room. Great place and good music.

Jimmymaccer wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 9:29 pm

Angels 1981 ……Dave Cook a DJ…..think he’s now in Australia……

Not sure what year but seem to remember (dare I say it) massive build up to Jackson's “Thriller” video release and they played it in the Angels….

How times have changed.

I knew Dave Cook(e?) (not sure about the e?) when I was at college with him in '74-'76 and yes I believe/heard he did go to Australia many years later. Grand chap he was and loved the Angels where he was a real stalwart. He was often in there till the early hours even in mid week, but still rocked up at college on time next day. Big clarets fan too if I remember rightly.

CaptainKirk wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:21 am

Definately Angels for me - Circulation far too common and full of ne'er do wells.

I'd have thought you'd be an " Annabella's " man ..... for the sophisticated crowd !

Cubanforever wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:40 pm

Circ every time for me, in the early 90's Friday night always seemed to end there.....some pretty shady characters were always about too but thankfully I knew a few and they always took me under their wing.....MM used to work the door from memory...a real Burnley after hours place

Your memory is correct. MM is my uncle.