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I was the DJ at Hy's till the very end and even now six months later
I still get people comin' up to me to say how much they miss it.
It was a small friendly club that battled against the Big boys for
longer than anyone expected. Before Liquid opened its doors all
the gorgeous clubbers in Norwich came to Hy's then like sheep they
went to Liquid then followed the herd to Time and if the ABC opens
then off they will trot once more.It's
not about the music in Norwich it's about where everyone else goes.
For those that miss the R&B and Hip Hop vibe then check out The
Light Bar and Metro Club on Prince of Wales every Friday and Saturday
(the only specialist black music nights in Norwich).
ROB
MAC, NORWICH
After
a straw poll among my friends and some of my younger relatives,
the general opinion is that while you can have a good time in Norwich,
it hardly compares with clubs like Cream or Gatecrasher, nor Leeds
or Newcastle. But those of us who have travelled a bit in the quest
for a good time are agreed on one thing - Norfolk people, lads and
lasses, are good-looking. And even if you don't want to pull, but
just came for the music, that has to be a bonus!
MIKE
GLANDER, SWAFFHAM
Hello,
I will be attending the University of East Anglia in the fall at
the law school. I am from Texas and I would like to find some friends
in Norwich. Also, I would like to know any comments that anyone
might have about fun things to do in the Norwich area. I would truly
appreciate any information regarding Norwich, and maybe even the
law school at UEA. Thank you very much!!
JAMES
EMBREY, TEXAS
I
have studied and lived in and around London for six years but I
was brought up in Norfolk. Norwich, where I am from, has become
my holiday home. I have always enjoyed returning to the low-key
clubs and bars and family-run pubs.
I have noticed recently that Norwich is trying to become more like
London with larger clubs and chain bars. Please don't encourage
this. It will spoil what is still a lovely, individual, unique city
with its own brand of nightlife which includes plenty of live music,
relaxed clubs, good food & pubs. The Riverside development looks
like Basildon - it's vile and soulless. If you want great clubs
- go to London where there's room for them. Tombland is now a nightlife
tomb thanks to these negative capitalist changes. I will miss Hy's
& Boswells.
CATHERINE,
LONDON/NORWICH
We
need a nightclub that's more like Gatecrasher. Norwich nightclubs
are so old and out of date with music. They need to catch up as
I now go clubbing to Newmarket and travel more across the country.
KATE,
NORWICH
I
have been trying to access the allensbar.co.uk website but it isn't
working. A group of us were at Allens Bar in Gt Yarmouth on Saturday
8 June.There was a birthday bash going on and we had our piccies
taken and were told that they would be put onto the website. So
far I have been unable to connect to the server. Is there anyway
we can find out if there's a fault? Is anyone out there reading
this a regular at the bar?
We would love to see the pictures as they will remind us of the
fantastic evening we had there (followed by a late night groove
at Oxygen!!) Big thanks to Maisie for inviting a crowd of strangers
along to Oxygen with her and her friends. Can anyone help?
J
ROBINSON, HERTFORDSHIRE
We
need clubs at the age of 20 and older - 'cause it's not right!
JENNY,
COVINA
We
need more garage and drum 'n' bass. There are drum 'n' bass events
regularly I know, but could it not be elsewhere from The Waterfront?
As for those of us who want to go out and listen to garage! Well,
have you got any suggestions?
ANGELA,
NORWICH
I
gave up on the Norwich clubbing scene years ago, it's a waste of
time. The wine bars and pubs have a far better atmosphere.
VICTORIA,
NORWICH
OK
- on the outer social circle of Norwich things do look a bit, shall
we say, awful. I used to be very narrow as to the places I would
visit due to bad experiences in Norwich, but I started branching
out a month ago. My best piece of advice is probably to go to Po
Na Na on a Friday night! Deep funky house is on the menu. The place
doesn't fill up until half-ten but when it does the atmosphere is
unbelievable and the talent (for boys and girls) is more than adequate!
The second Friday of every month is Soul Shaker - definitely not
to be missed. Which brings me on to Devil's! Yes, OK, we do have
a few lap dancers! But they disappear after about 11 and make way
for some amazing tunes. Soul Shaker is at DA every Saturday night.
Marvel and Gas Station @ The Loft are OK too - get there early as
there is a one-out one-in policy on the door as it fills up. Happy
partying!
JAMES, NORWICH
Please
have someone do a review of Mojo's Super Fly and other cool nights.
I live in the US so I'm not sure if it's still even open, but it
is one club that is/was trying hard to supply Norwich with something
to really have a funky/interesting/different time with!
There should be more clubs like it, (only a little bigger - there's
nothing like a friendly atmosphere, but sharing 2cm squared with
someone you've never met before is a little too friendly!) Just
something to think about.
BECKY,
SAN DIEGO, USA
Norwich
is very limited for choice in clubs. Plenty of typical places playing
rubbish cheese and commercial stuff. Personally I'm into deep progressive
house and trance along with a little harder trance (not hard house!).
No chance am I gonna get any of that! Then again that's the same
in my home town of Nottingham (although there are at least some
half decent places here). The best clubs tend to be away from the
city centre (to keep muppets out) and tend to be smaller. A place
like Gatecrasher would be just grand... Would transform the place
like it did in Sheffield- making decent bars spring up! Good for
town's economy too.
NICK
WILLIS, UEA, NORWICH
I
am from Norfolk, just outside Norwich, but am living in Miami for
a year. I have to say the clubs in Norwich are a bit lame, but the
bars are cool and there is a good selection of pubs which are severely
lacking here. I would die for a pint of Stella. As for Fat Pauly's
and The Waterfront, the reason there aren't more clubs like them
is because they cater for the minority and if they don't get the
business they won't open more clubs like those. You all have to
admit the nightlife in Norwich has improved a lot since five years
ago. Gutted about Boswells though, great place.
KELLY,
MIAMI
Oxygen
- what do I think of it? Well, I go there most weeks and it's OK,
I guess. Of course I love peeing in public, as you say the doors
have no locks! But apart from that it's usually a welcoming, friendly
place. Too many straights though!
SARAH
Click
here to see our review of Oxygen
Hi,
I do think clubbing in Norwich is terrible. If you're in to house
or music from 20 years ago then Norwich is the place. If you fancy
a bit of R'n'B, garage or anything slightly different you have to
go to the small dark clubs that hold about 150 poeple or less!!
I think its about time a decent club opened for alternative music
other than house. Take Ipswich's example for instance!
NETTY
NEWMAN, NORWICH
Boswells
closing! What a shame! There aren't that many traditional and earthy
bars left, and for those of us a bit over 30, its a shame, we don't
all want to go out and drink 30 alco-pops and have a fight at the
kebab shop. Please, someone rescue Boswell's!!
Hi,
i just wanna say that reading that Boswells in Tombland will be
closing at the end of February has made me very sad. Boswells has
always been one of those bar/clubs where you can go to have a great
night out, whether it be just chatting with friends (you can hear
each other!!!)spending a night drinking (they havea good selection)
or you could have a dance to the live band then the disco, Boswells
is a great all rounder. You wil be missed and nothing will take
your place.
CLARE CORCORAN
Boswell's
departure is a big step backwards for Norwich - it is the one diffferent
place to all those nightclubs, which are really all the same! We
NEED a place like Boswells in Norwich (and preferably more!) - not
everyone wants to go 'clubbing' at the weekend! I hope someone takes
it over who has the same ideas as the current owner, otherwise I
wouldn't know where to go!
ESTHER,
NORWICH
Although
the majority of the comments about the sad state of Norwich's night
life ring true for my experience last time I was there in 2000,
I have to say seeing Hy's, Boswell's and Pizza One close would be
the end of an era and sad for me at least. I remember when Hy's
was THE place to be. The original "City Boys" used to make their
regular cool appearance and the "City Girls" would do their best
to be chosen Hy's girl.
Big
is not necessarily better and if the club chains are allowed to
dominate in Norwich its unique diversity as well as history will
be lost. As another post pointed out, Norwich needs some more exclusive
(independent and not mass produced) hip hop, r'n'b (which Hy's once
was) jazz and essentially interesting places to socialise.
BECKY,
CALIFORNIA
Hi
I have a gay friend who has recently split up with his partner and
wants to get back out and meet people. I don't know much about what
there is to do in Norwich, can anyone suggest any good gay clubs/pubs
to go to?
CLARISSA,
NORFOLK
See
also: Gay Norfolk message
board
There's
not all that much choice in Norwich, though the gay scene is improving.
For a top night out, I recommend an obligatory drink or two at home,
followed by a cocktail at 'Lounge' on St. Benedicts St. (Nice and
discreetly flexy-sexy, but not too obvious - good place to loosen
up before hitting the...erm...less chilled scene). Then go on to
the Castle pub at Spitafields roundabout, if you have time. They've
recently built an extension, and play some good cheesey music, have
a pool table, and are pretty much always packed with a really gay
crowd, mostly men. The Lord Raglan is opposite, and has recently
been redecorated, making it look pretty suave. However, the crowd
is almost exclusively men here, and a little older. Worth a look
if you're in the area. Finally, there's only one place to finish
off, The Loft nightclub on Rose Lane. However, it's only gay (and
open) on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Sundays are really quiet,
Saturdays are packed, and Thursdays are just right. The music's
cheesey and dancey, and the crowd is again mostly men, but the atmosphere
is quite good. (拢2-拢5 in) OK, speech over, have a good night!
JON,
NORWICH 15/01/2002
I'm
from Manchester and I have been to clubs all over the UK...be it
London, Cardiff, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham....anywhere is
better than Norfolk! Actually...the whole of East Anglia needs a
face lift.
It should wake up to the sounds of garage and r'n'b flavours. I
dont mean to offend anyone in Norfolk...I'm sure you all have a
great time, and this comment is merely my opinion. But when I compare
to the other places in the UK...it could be argued that Norfolk
is still stuck in the dark ages.
GAVIN,
CAMBRIDGE
Well I have lived in Yarmouth all my life and consider myself quite
well travelled. All I can say for Yarmouth is it needs to get up
to speed with what pubbers/clubbers of all ages want. Nice modern
well done-out bars like the prime examples on Riverside/Prince of
Wales Road in Norwich. People do not want to go out to run-down
clubs that still look the same as they did in the 80s and with trouble
at every turn. I spent last Saturday 06-10-01 in the Riverside complex.
It was very busy, everyone was out for a good time and was friendly.
As soon as we came back to Yarmouth for a bite at arouns 2.30am
the clubs were alleged to have been dead and everyone was mouthing
off and trying to pick fights. I think if Yarmouth doesn't do something
quickly I believe there will be no nite life (what little is left
of it) and it will become a teenagers' night spot (which it pretty
much is know). All Ican say to the ouncil and club owners is invest
in the area and ask people what they want (not what you think they
want) from Yarmouth as a whole.
MATT, YARMOUTH
I
now live and work in New Zealand, but I lived in South Norfolk all
of my life until a few months ago. The night life here is pretty
good the big differance here being licensing hours the clubs and
bars are open all night there is very little trouble and a very
laid back chilled atmosphere. Everyone talks to strangers and its
really a cool place to party. I feel Norwich has a pretty wide spectrum
of night life across the city but the agro thing is becoming an
issue. Young guys looking for a fight makes going out in Norwich
a chore, I am 28 and can look after myself but I don't really need
some over-excited 18-year-old in my face, so hence I used to stick
to the bars over the clubs. But c'mon guys - Norwich has a good
club scene for a relatively rural city. Believe me you don't know
how good it is until you are away from it!
SHAUN,
NEW ZEALAND
Is
there anywhere in Norfolk for the unattached baby-boomers to hang
out? Coming from London I find this aspect of life is sadly missing
in Norfolk.
CASTRO,
NORTH WALSHAM
errr
Tony, have u actually ever been to Fat Pauley's, cos i think if
u had u will realise that the dimensions of the customers have nothing
to do with the name! But Norwich is pretty rubbish for going out.
With no Fat Pauley's there is not much for the alternative people
to do. There is only the Waterfront and they don't seem to be streaming
with great bands. And normal clubs just don't play the type of music
I am into at all.
TARA,
NORFOLK
With
reference to Tara's message, did you know that Fat Pauley's name
derives from the dimensions of its main customers? Come on 麻豆社,
can't you do anything about Norwich's nightlife? Why don't you stage
any tours such as the Radio 1 summer tours? I do know that Norwich
has plenty of rural, plain and flat land and i do realise that John
Deere tractors do take up a lot of space, but surely there is a
place where the 麻豆社 can park their summer bus of fun and music.
Go on, bring some sunshine into the lives of Norfolkians. At least
it's better than catching crabs in Walberswick.
TONY, NOTTINGHAM
I'm
a regular at the Crypt - it's totally small but totally kicks!!
MANTIS,
GREAT YARMOUTH
I
went to Brannigans (See
who you can spot at the opening night) last night Saturday (30/06/2001)
and me and my mates had a wicked time! The place was jumpin' the
DJ played everything from old favorites to brand new top choons.
It was full but not to full but there was a big queue waiting to
get in one of my mate's waited for 3/4 of an hour! So we'll get
in early next week.
STEVE, ACLE
There
is nowhere for the youth of Norwich to go, seeing as Fat Pauleys
has closed down! Fats used to be the only place young people could
go and enjoy good music!
TARA,
NORFOLK
"High
jinks" is a new funky house night @ kafe da, 18 Bedford Street,
Norwich, twice a month on Fridays, 8-1 the resident "mikey high
jinks" brings to norwich some of the best local talent including;
ricky cox, richie tee, sam scott, rob holmes, etc... this event
is free all night. if u like yr vocals, pianos and twisted filtered
disco, then this is the night for you!!
MIKE
MAGLINTE, NORWICH
I
live in Great Yarmouth and most of the clubs are pathetic apart
from one little know place called The Crypt which is open every
Friday as part of The Brunswick complex, and this is ace. They basically
play indie/rock and occasionally speed metal. For those of you who
of like this sort of thing it is a must. I think this is the only
place in Yarmouth like it, and although not as well known as the
Waterfront in Norwich, it really kicks, well you know, anyone else
been there?
LEE,
GORLESTON
There
is plenty of variety in Norwich. Most people haven't gone and tried
the other clubs - you can always find something to suit your tastes
here. As for late opening hours - check out the Waterfront all-nighters
or after show parties at Fat Pauly's, they go on til 6 if you can
take the pace.
ANNA, NORWICH
Clublife in Great Yarmouth is no good. It's nothing compared to
the clublife of, say, Singapore, which is where I live, but I was
born in Great Yarmouth. I've just turned 19 and lived out here now
for a year. It's ok - clubs are great not like Great Yarmouth. So
get a clue and get some new clubs!!!
JOHNNY,
SINGAPORE
Had
heard lots about the new club Oxygen in Gt Yarmouth whilst out around
Norwich but no-one seemed to have been. So Saturday night me and
my mates went there a bit unsure of what to expect. It was fantastic
although mainly gay we all were made to feel welcome and the atmosphere
was like London/Ibiza. The night was called Shine and played some
storming club anthems and tunes and we will definitely be going
back. It's really laid back,classy and attitude-free - something
Norwich clubs can only dream about. Maybe they should take tips.
Take our advice and try it out you won't be disappointed!
ALAN
AND CLARE, NORWICH
I
agree completely with Anthony. More variety in Norwich please! and
longer opening hours. Having visited a large number of places around
the country, abeit larger than Norwich, this is what is missing
from Norwich nightlife.
RICHARD,
NORWICH
Having
visited East Anglia and Norwich on quite a few occasions, I have
to say Norwich's clubs lack variety. Taking into account Norwich's
geographical location, why doesn't Norwich increase its diversity
in club land? Instead of opening mainstream bars/clubs that play
Vengaboys, Ricki Martin and finishing off with S Club 7, why don't
they open jazz or hip hop clubs, tapas bars, comedy clubs, cafe-bars
open til 6am! It's unfortunate for the young poor souls of Norwich
to afflict themselves of the same 'cheesy' experience, time and
time again. But hey, why don't they go to Ipswich? Actually, I retract
those last eight words.
ANTHONY
FAN, OXFORD/LEEDS
Clubbing
in Norwich is awful! It is geared at larger boys who wanna get drunk
and listen to cheesy hard house all night long! This is OK if you're
into that sort of thing but don't expect much else! What Norwich
needs is a decent club night in a new venue!
BEN, NORWICH
Time
has got to be the best Club in Norwich. The sound system is great
and the whole place moves up and down, but better safety measures
are need, because the path is right next to the river, so something
needs to be done there. Most of the others are rubbish, you can't
even swing a cat around in a couple of them. Plus most of them have
under-age people in. When the new club gets the go ahead in the
old ABC Cinema, it will be big and have different music sections
and will take all the business away from the other clubs, so cheaper
nights will be on the way.
MARTIN
PEARCE, NORWICH
Having
seen your mention for Oxygen Nightclub in Great Yarmouth I took
the wife out for their special Valentines night event with Rochelle.
We had a GREAT time and will be going again soon. Thanks
for telling us about the club.
NIGEL AND LESLEY MORGAN, LOWESTOFT
Clubs
r OK- just get boring after a couple of weeks. The only two good
ones r Fat Pauly's and Waterfront.
TASHA,
CANADA
Clubs
round here r no good!! There is 1 decent club and that is the Waterfront
- oh and Fat Pauly's, but other than that its a loada ...... yeah
well.
KIRSTY, NORWICH
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