If you could turn back the clock and relive a night at your favourite Gloucestershire nightclub, which one would it be? For many, those evenings remain treasured memories—packed dance floors, laughter-filled moments with friends, late-night drinks, and even romantic encounters that blossomed into lasting relationships.
Several legendary venues stand out as the most missed, while others still hold a special place in local hearts. Join us as we take a nostalgic tour through Gloucestershire’s vibrant nightlife history and revisit the clubs that made these nights unforgettable.
Cheltenham’s Subtone on The Promenade was a hallmark of the ‘90s and 2000s scene. More than just a nightclub, it included a piano bar, café, and a three-floor club. Originally a specialist music venue, Subtone hosted big British acts like Massive Attack and Chase and Status. One loyal patron reminisced about “dancing on the coffee table in the piano bar, singing away with a packed room,” while a former drum ‘n’ bass DJ called it a “distant gem.” Unfortunately, Subtone closed on New Year’s Eve 2016 after 20 years, and the building has since been repurposed.
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In Gloucester, KCs on Quay Street was a beloved fixture throughout the ’80s and ’90s, famous for sticky carpets, cheesy chips, and even cheesier tunes. The two-level club was the backdrop to countless first dances and friendships. Positioned beside the Brewery pub, it offered fresh and classic hits upstairs and newer tunes below. Back in 1998, a pint cost just £1. Though it closed in 2009 and was later discovered abandoned and housing an illegal cannabis farm, KCs remains etched in memory.
Travel further back to the Swinging Sixties, and you’ll find the legendary Blue Moon on Cheltenham High Street. The “coolest place” for cutting-edge live music, the tiny venue hosted music legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Rolling Stones, The Who, and Rod Stewart. The Four Tops performed their very first UK show here. Later renamed the Night Owl nightclub in the ’80s, it became a haven for rock fans and bikers alike, known affectionately for “sticky floors” and an unforgettable atmosphere. It later evolved into goth hotspot Mistys and The Attic before becoming retail shops Monsoon and Accessorize.
Gas, later Chemistry, was a dynamic hub in the ’80s and ’90s that combined dance nights with live performances and celebrity guest appearances, drawing crowds from across the region. Its four-level St James’s Square venue was remembered for “pound a pint nights” and wild celebrations. Sadly, it closed in 2005.
One of Cheltenham’s chameleon venues at the corner of High Street and Albion Street has been known by many names—Time, Moda, Charles, V2, Lace, and Buskers. Once home to the George and Pilgrim pub, it closed in the early 2000s to make way for flats called Buskers Court.
Gloucester’s Crackers near the station was more than a nightclub—it was an energetic venue for live gigs, reggae nights, and even adult entertainment. Gay nights on Mondays and Saturdays drew enthusiastic crowds, with rock, punk, and goth nights offering free entry and complimentary drinks. The site now hosts the modern Forum project.
Tracy’s on Bruton Way stood out in the 1970s as Gloucester’s first proper nightclub, famous for an opening night with free champagne and a welcoming vibe managed by Pat Loughton and his big dog. Its friendly atmosphere created lasting memories.
Cheltenham’s Strand was a relaxed 1990s venue where locals bonded over dancing, lasers, and the resident DJ “Sheik Yerbuti.” Now transformed into a pub, it is remembered for “cans of Red Stripe” and “top DJs.”
Other venues worthy of mention include Eves, Lorraine’s/Fez Club, The Maltings in Stroud, The Hub, Cafe Continental, Enigma, Arabella’s, Cinderella’s in Gloucester, and iconic spots like Thirteen, Prom Club, The Green Room, Spa Lounge, and X-S.
Though these nightclubs may be gone, the memories they created live on — a testament to the vibrant nightlife that shaped Gloucestershire’s social scene for decades. If you have old photos or stories to share, reach out via our social media or email [email protected]. After all, you really had to be there.