‘Sticky carpets and waves of Joop aftershave’...memories of 90s nightclub Ritzy

It was known to a generation of clubbers for its sticky carpets, round the block queues and massive dancefoor. And now the iconic nightclub Ritzy, a venue fixed in the memories of thousands of Boltonians, is to be celebrated at an exhibition later this month.

The huge club, which operated in the town during the late 80s and early 90s will feature in a special exhibition launching at Bolton museum from Saturday, November 30.

Ritzy was part of a clubbing culture which has all but died in Greater Manchester’s towns. With stricter licensing laws in place until the late 90s, all pubs closed at 11pm with clubs such as Ritzy then becoming the ‘only show in town’ for those wanting to carry on the party.

During its heyday, the club was open several times a week, with a student night on Tuesdays, ‘Club 25’ on Wednesdays, dance music on Thursdays, and Fridays reserved for celebration night.

On Saturdays clubbers were told to ‘dress to dazzle’ with After Dark providing the ‘ultimate discotheque night out’. As part of the borough’s ‘Put Big Light On’ festival, Bolton-based neon glass sign makers Neon Creations are to build a replica of the familiar pink sign which once adorned the entrance to the night spot.

Memories from clubbers will also be featured as part of the exhibition, as well as more of Neon Creations most stunning glass signs. A spokesman for Bolton Museum, said: “We have commissioned ace neon glass sign makers Neon Creations to recreate the sign that once adorned the iconic local night spot and would love to hear your memories of clubbing there in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“Ritzy was packed out every weekend and we’re sure there are loads of you who enjoyed those fab night outs so please do let us know what you remember from your clubbing nights.”

Karen and Rachel were teenagers when they first went to Ritzy, and have shared their memories. Karen said: “It was a pivotal place of our youth and we loved every minute of it.

“I remember the busy pattern of the sticky carpet. Getting ready for a night out at Ritzy was all part of it.

“Dancing to songs on Rock FM after buying silky neon fashion tops from Tammy Girl to wear.

“I remember Rachel burning off my eyelashes after reading in a magazine that heating eyelash curlers with a hair dryer made them work better.

“We’d use sun-in hair lightener, just two strands at the front.

“We’ve no photos of Ritzy, just feelings of dancing all night and being totally free on that dancefloor, smelling waves of Joop aftershave and Impulse body spray. They really were the best times.

“We’re really looking forward to visiting the Ritzy nightclub exhibition when it opens. Although it’s slightly strange to think we’re at an age where our memories are old enough for a museum.”

John Westhead worked at Ritzy for many years and runs the Ritzy & 5th Avenue Facebook group where people share memories from the venue. He said: “The re-created Ritzy neon sign and the exhibition all sounds very exciting.

“I used to work at the club starting in summer of 1996 when I was 20 years old and can say I loved every minute of it.

“I spent some of the best times of my life there. I began collecting glasses then onto barman and bar supervisor.

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“I also worked during the day behind the scenes replenishing the bars and general housekeeping. After Ritzy closed down and morphed into Ikon in 1998 I remained there all the way to 2010.”

Members of the public are being asked to send stories and photographs to the museum collections team with the heading ‘Ritzy Nightclub Memories’. To get in touch, email collectionenquiries@bolton.gov.uk.