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London in the 90s

239 replies

Mondayforthebin · 10/02/2023 09:41

Just having a nostalgic 10 minutes and thinking about when I first moved to London in my early 20s from my small town in middle of nowhere, fresh out of University. Moved to leafy North London with 4 other friends for a really cheap rent (wow, how times have changed!) No proper job so just temped and did some bar work and was out all the time on seemingly very little money as I earned very little! Went to see loads of bands, drank lots, wore v little and made some amazing friends and generally had lots of fun.

I know I definitely have my rose tinted specs on but miss those days and feel quite sad for DS that he'll probably not be able to afford to have same experiences as London is so expensive now.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 11/02/2023 10:36

I grew up on the N London/Herts border so for me 80's and early 90's were my fun years "up West". The Hippodrome, Annabelle's, Camden Palace, Stringfellows to name a few. All my Saturday jobs were in department stores, including Harrods. Such fun times, cheap to go out, cheap to travel. Take me back!

HeidiWhole · 11/02/2023 15:00

@Duckdown Up the Creek is still there! Used to spend so much time there...saw loads of people who went on to be hugely famous.
Apparently notorious amongst comedians for being a very tough crowd Grin
Also remember The Fridge in Brixton, used to frequent the gay night known as Ciao Baby.

Duckdown · 11/02/2023 16:44

@HeidiWhole there was a MC called Malcom there when I frequented it. He was a tough nut. If an act was rubbish the crowd would shout for Malcom to come and get them off. Tough crowd indeed! I used to see Jo brand a lot and Arthur Smith.

Aintgointogoa · 11/02/2023 17:11

@Mars27 are you thinking of Bradley's Spanish Bar on Hanway Street ? I went in there for a nostalgic pint the last time I was in London, during the day. Aforetimes it would be after work and long sessions would ensue before the nightbus back to Brixton. The jukebox was brilliant ! And opposite was a brilliant flamenco place too. Brady's in Brixton was going strong then as well, all Republican flags, squelchy carpet under foot, smog of fag smoke and Alabama 3 hangout. We tore around having the time of our lives, it was all sort of "under the radar" and not everyone had a smartphone constantly on. I was one of the last of my cohort to get a mobile 😱 I am very glad I had my London life then. Tho' the 80's were pretty grim in Brixton. 💔 And it's changed almost beyond recognition now.

Wantanytoastwiththat · 11/02/2023 17:48

I was also a regular at the Venue at New Cross for years.Top room was my favourite with all the indie hits.
Loved the main room with the tribute bands. Had my hen do at the Venue. Very long time ago. I have heard it has changed it name. Great memories

Rollingdownland · 11/02/2023 18:08

Loving this thread. I love Kensington Market, Hyper Hyper, stumbling around Soho, Covent Garden... (That club you remember was Rock Garden sorry, I can't remember which PP asked).

I moved to London in the 90s and have never left. I absolutely bloody loved it then and I love it now. Its charms change as you get older - now I love pottering off to a gallery, or a random bookshop, or taking the dog around Hyde Park or along the Thames.

Thirty years ago it was all about bars and boys and general misbehaving, plus the excitement of being at the heart of things.

Brilliant city.

Mars27 · 11/02/2023 18:53

Aintgointogoa · 11/02/2023 17:11

@Mars27 are you thinking of Bradley's Spanish Bar on Hanway Street ? I went in there for a nostalgic pint the last time I was in London, during the day. Aforetimes it would be after work and long sessions would ensue before the nightbus back to Brixton. The jukebox was brilliant ! And opposite was a brilliant flamenco place too. Brady's in Brixton was going strong then as well, all Republican flags, squelchy carpet under foot, smog of fag smoke and Alabama 3 hangout. We tore around having the time of our lives, it was all sort of "under the radar" and not everyone had a smartphone constantly on. I was one of the last of my cohort to get a mobile 😱 I am very glad I had my London life then. Tho' the 80's were pretty grim in Brixton. 💔 And it's changed almost beyond recognition now.

No, not Bradley Bar, this one was between TCR and Holborn. I "think" it was The End, someone please correct me if I'm wrong

Mars27 · 11/02/2023 19:00

IIRC, The End had a lot of different nights on and I think the indie one was on Monday (but again, memory :/)

EmmaEmerald · 11/02/2023 19:31

Mars27 · 11/02/2023 18:53

No, not Bradley Bar, this one was between TCR and Holborn. I "think" it was The End, someone please correct me if I'm wrong

Show quote history

I think you mean the End. Sort of in that bit behind St Giles but you could easily walk to Holborn?

there's a clip of LCD Soundsystem playing here but I can't play it because I don't allow tracking stuff. Strangely I can't find the street address for the End.

Thanks to pp saying they'd read a book on this 🤗

HRTQueen · 11/02/2023 20:24

I preferred Camden of the 90’s and Covent Garden less chain stores

but early 90’s London was very depressing the homelessness was absolutely terrible

Oxford street is very run down now just like it was in the early 90’s full of suitcase shops and now American sweet shops

Loved the clubs but I was in my teens/20’s of course what I found great was different then

WinterFoxes · 12/02/2023 09:22

We now live outside London but not too far from Kingston which still has the best underground music scene. Famous bands do acoustic sets for a few quid, or try outs for new albums. Tickets from local record (and I do mean vinyl) shop. Just like the good old days.

cakewitch · 12/02/2023 15:51

Very happy times! Moved there from a northern town at 19 in 1989 with DH. What a fantastic few years we had. Lived in Earl Court in a little studio flat. Always had money for going out to eat, went to gigs, life was great. I still miss it now. I'd go back to those carefree days in a heartbeat, but I suspect its not quite the same now.

cakewitch · 12/02/2023 16:35

What was the nightclub that all the catering staff used to go to after work??? Hombre? Or something.??

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 12/02/2023 16:48

hombre de Bahia. Went to a hen do there. Carnage

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