A lost Liverpool nightclub was "always packed" and was loved for its chicken in a basket that clubbers say was "to die for".
The Liverpool ECHO recently took a look back at Pickwicks nightclub on Fraser Street near London Road, which first opened its doors in May 1972. Also known as Mr Pickwicks, the club was one of several clubs, along with Falcon's Crest in Formby and Wookey Hollow in Tuebrook, owned by the late body-building champion and former Knowsley councillor Terry Phillips.
When it first opened, a corner nearest the entrance boasted a speciality cocktail bar and there was also a massive island bar with 160ft of serving space halfway along the top tier, with a smaller bar behind that. Most couldn't imagine ordering food at a nightclub today, but in the 70s, Pickwicks sold chicken in a basket for 45p - a favourite choice with many customers - and cuts of steak for £1.10.
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Open every night except Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays were classed as over-30s nights. Wines, champagne, spirits and bottled and draught beers also made up the drinks list, with memberships costing 55p a year in the early 1970s.
ECHO readers have since been sharing their fond memories of Pickwicks in years gone by. As well as its known 'nickname' in the city.
On our Facebook page, Alicia Potter said: "Chicken in a basket at top of the town was delicious." Julie Dunn said: "Loved pickwicks."
Jeannette Mac posted: "Worked there early 70s, Bumbles Bar, great place to work." Kim Tipping Byrne wrote: "Loved Mr Pickwicks."
Tricia Higgins said: "Loved Pickwicks I spent many Saturday nights there. I celebrated my 21st with all my mates...Happy memories." Yvonne Holden wrote: "Loved Pickwicks back in the day. I used to work there with my then partner."
Cunningham Katie said: "I remember going to Pickwicks a couple of times as a kid. I must have been about seven or eight. They used to have hairdressing competitions there and my mum would help out. I would sell raffle tickets and go home when the disco started after the hairdressing had finished. I also had chicken in a basket."
Linda O'Reilly commented: "Was very popular, always packed." Andrew Daniels commented: "Pickwicks and Wooky Hollow, went many times."
Mark Molloy posted: "I had my stag do there in 1995. I remember the chicken in the basket too." Lynn Manning said: "Worked taking entrance money here. Loved it. Happy memories."
Shirley Viquerat posted: "Went every New Year's Eve, it was great. My friend's mum worked in the kitchen, the chicken in a basket was to die for and they always had bagpipes to bring in the New Year. Happy memories."
On our website, scotty20 said: "I worked there for years when it turned into heaven night club and Terry's gym in Knowsley." Wiz commented: "Bouncers wouldn't let us in one night, as looked too young for over 25's. Said only collar and tie. So two of the lads who got in passed their shirts and ties through the toilet window. Had a brilliant night, 50p drinks, food, music, dancing and laughs. Tacky as the She, Grafton, Montrose, etc but great memories."
What are your memories of Pickwicks? Let us know in the comments section below.
And Old Hall Street wrote: "I remember Otis Elevators, based in Kirkby, used to have their Christmas do in there on Christmas Eve in the mid/late 1980s (when Otis employed hundreds of lads and girls). Because it was deemed a private party, Pickwicks could stay open in the daytime....this was before all day drinking had come in in 1988. I remember the massive novelty factor of being in a nightclub in the daytime and coming out at about 6pm stumbling across London Road with all my mates. Happy happy times."
But after nearly 30 years in business, Pickwicks was no more and was replaced by a new dance club. On February 13, 1998, the ECHO reported: "Valentine's Day sees the launch of a brand new club in Liverpool.
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"Well fairly new, because the white bunker on Fraser Street has been a club for decades under the name Pickwicks. But Heaven, we are promised is something different, almost divine.
"A club designed by clubbers for clubbers. And to prove the point, DJ Davy T has booked the lookalike Pope John Paul to open the first night." It's now been over 30 years since Pickwicks closed, but many clubbers still have fond memories there spanning back decades.
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