A lost Liverpool nightclub is said to have paid eye-watering sums of money for big name guest appearances.
A favourite with celebrities, Bambooo nightclub opened on Duke Street in Liverpool city centre in 2010. The self-styled 'seven star night club' became famous for allegedly splashing huge amounts cash to attract the music industry's most glamorous R&B and rap stars.
At its launch party, club bosses were reported to have paid hip-hop megastar 50 Cent a whopping £50,000 to make an appearance. The rap superstar headed down the launch night after his concert at the Manchester arena on March 25, 2010.
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On the night, booths inside the club were said to have been reserved for as much as £2,000 each. The launch party promoter was quoted in the ECHO earlier in the day as saying: "No one has ever opened a club in Liverpool with 50 Cent or a big international star.
"He wouldn't go to just any club, he's 50 Cent, so we had to show his people the idea behind the club and what it's all about - it's Liverpool's only seven star club. This is a chance to party with him.
Claiming a £1million budget to bring in artists to the club, the promoter added: "This is the first in a long line of things to come. The booths are all sold out, but we have tickets ranging from £25 to £150. Everyone will be able to see him."
Half of the club's VIP area was reserved for Fiddy Cent's entourage. The club also featured a DJ booth suspended from the ceiling and a VIP booth with a queen size bed covered in leather.
And it wasn't just the price of entry to the club on launch night that was steep. Bambooo's signature cocktail would set guests back a whopping £49.
And the rumours were true, the hip-hop superstar did turn up for launch night following his Manchester gig. A photo of the rapper at the club appeared in the ECHO a few days later surrounded by some hefty looking bodyguards.
However, some felt the rapper didn't give value for money. A story published in the ECHO a few days reported a "tired" Fiddy only uttered the word "hey" at his much anticipated guest appearance.
Despite this, news of his appearance managed to hit the international news with US web gossipmonger Perez Hilton commenting - with tongue perhaps firmly in cheek - on the rapper's ability to "work hard for his money." A number of clubbers are also reported to have expressed disappointment when 50 didn’t perform any of his songs.
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But 50 Cent wasn't the only superstar the nightclub's owners paid handsomely to make an appearance. A few months later, singer Rihanna reportedly received £30,000 to show her face for just one hour at the venue, after an appearance at the nearby ECHO arena.
Other famous names who were spotted at the club included US superstar Kelis and British star, Lemar. However, the club soon faced a battle over its future when in 2011, Merseyside Police demanded a full hearing into incidents at the club, said to include a large fight on New Years Eve.
Concerns were raised by police, questioning the club's management, but the promoter responded saying: "It is one of the safest venues in the city. It is a matter of fact we have only had three incidents in the whole year and since we have opened."
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The celebrity favourite club later opened up as another nightclub, Privilege, in 2012 before closing its doors in 2014. The premises was sold and later became a strip club called Rude.
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