Imagine stepping back in time and walking into your favourite Gloucestershire nightclub once more. The hum of laughter, crowded dance floors that never emptied till dawn, a few too many drinks, and perhaps meeting that special someone for the first time. These beloved venues hold an irreplaceable place in the hearts of many, and some have clearly captured the collective imagination as the most missed nightclubs in the region.
For those who cherished the vibrant Cheltenham clubbing scene of the ’90s and early 2000s, Subtone on The Promenade was an iconic hotspot. This three-floor venue was more than a nightclub: it featured a piano bar, a café, and the main club area, all serving up memorable cocktails alongside electrifying music. What began as a specialist music venue soon became central to the nightlife, hosting renowned British acts such as Massive Attack and Chase and Status. One reveler recalls “dancing on the coffee table in the piano bar, singing with a packed room – some of the best nights ever.” A former drum and bass DJ cherishes their time there as “memorable” and “a gem of a venue.” Unfortunately, Subtone closed permanently on New Year’s Eve 2016 and has since been repurposed.
For Gloucester clubbers, KCs on Quay Street evokes vivid memories of sticky carpets, cheesy chips, and timeless tunes. Popular during the ’80s and ’90s, this two-floor club was a city nightlife staple where hundreds of first dances took place. Located by the Brewery pub, it offered newer music downstairs and classics upstairs—a perfect setting for hanging out, playing pool, or dancing. With pint prices as low as £1 in 1998, the venue was affordable and lively. The premises later became Envy and Lansons before closing permanently in 2009, later making headlines for an illegal cannabis farm found in the abandoned building.
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Travel back to the Swinging Sixties in Cheltenham, and the legendary Blue Moon on High Street was the cutting-edge live music venue to be seen at. Acts who later achieved global fame played its tiny corner stage, including Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Mott The Hoople, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, and The Who. Notably, The Four Tops performed their very first UK show there. During the early 1980s, it transitioned to the Night Owl nightclub, maintaining its rock roots and attracting biker crowds. Known for its sticky floors and open nature, it became a welcoming haunt, eventually growing into a goth rock sanctuary. One devotee described it as “the best goth club in Cheltenham," evoking a powerful sense of belonging for those who experienced it. Over time, it evolved into Mistys, then The Attic, and today the space houses retail stores Monsoon and Accessorize.
Among Cheltenham’s ’80s and ’90s hotspots, Gas—later Chemistry—stood out as a local favourite. This four-level venue in St James’s Square was not just a nightclub but a live music stage and celebrity host; visitors recall star appearances from BBC’s Steve Wright and EastEnders actor Paul Bradley. Years of queues marked the height of its popularity in the mid-1990s, remembered fondly as the “first nightclub in Cheltenham I ever went to” with nights full of energy and themed drinks. Sadly, Chemistry closed its doors in 2005.
Another ever-changing favourite was a Cheltenham club known by many names—including Time, Moda, Charles, V2, Lace, and Buskers—anchored at the corner of High Street and Albion Street with the George and Pilgrim pub on site. After decades of nightlife, it closed in the early 2000s and was converted into flats named Buskers Court.
Gloucester’s Crackers, near the station on Bruton Way, remains a cherished memory despite its closure long ago. More than just a club, it hosted live gigs, reggae nights, and even adult entertainment. Highlights included energetic gay nights on Mondays and Saturdays, free entry to rock, punk, and goth nights, and quirky encounters like a Kurt Cobain lookalike. The site is now the modern Forum development.
Tracy’s, also on Bruton Way, was Gloucester’s first proper nightclub in the 1970s. Managed by Pat Loughton and accompanied by his massive dog, its opening night was remembered fondly for free champagne and a welcoming vibe that set the standard for future venues.
In Cheltenham, a laid-back 1990s venue on High Street known for its friendly crowd, resident DJ “Sheik Yerbuti,” and lively laser-lit dance nights has since transformed into The Strand pub. Nostalgic attendees recall sweaty ceilings, cans of Red Stripe, and lasting friendships forged on its dancefloor.
Finally, many fondly remember other beloved hotspots such as Eves, Lorraine’s/Fez Club, foam parties at The Maltings in Stroud, The Hub, Cafe Continental, Enigma, Arabella’s, Cinderella’s in Gloucester, Thirteen, Prom Club, George and Pilgrim, The Green Room, Spa Lounge, and the iconic X-S, all contributing unforgettable chapters to Gloucestershire’s nightlife history.
These clubs may have closed their doors, but their stories and memories live on, treasured by those who danced, laughed, and loved through those magical nights.