Merseyside has seen many nightclubs come and go over the years, but there’s one that’s remembered for its “crazy nights” consisting of foam parties, podium dancing, “3 for £5” drinks and more.
The Ritzy in Bromborough in Wirral attracted thousands of clubbers from across Merseyside every week. The ECHO recently wrote an article about unearthed The Hitman and Her footage that was filmed at the nightclub which was located at the Croft Retail Park.
Many readers shared their memories of that night in 1992 hosted by Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan, as well as the club itself. In the comments section underneath the post sharing the article on the My Wirral Facebook page, people recalled the “boss nights” they had at the Ritzy.
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Michaela wrote: “Still have the scars on my knees from a foam party here! The best times.” Jennifer said: “I lived in that place three nights a week for years. Best times of my life.” James added: “What a club the Ritzy was. Had some boss nights there.”
Kate recalled exactly how her nights at the Ritzy went. She commented: “I loved this place. Loved dancing, so was always one of the first on the dancefloor and the last to leave. Dancing on the podiums, drinking lime VKs - 3 for £5! Every Wednesday and Friday until it closed.”
Jenny tagged a friend and wrote: “We had some very funny and very crazy nights in that place.” June commented: “I had great nights there when it first opened, then later on I used to pick my daughter and her friends up at three in the morning!”
Some readers remembered the night The Hitman and Her filmed at the Ritzy in 1992. Carol said: “When I left at the end it was daylight outside. Instead of going to bed I stayed up and watched the video recording to see if I could see my friends and myself.”
Former employees shared their memories of working at the nightclub, which had a capacity of 1,400 people. Dave commented: “I grew up trying to get into the club underage then ended up working there as a doorman in my early 20s. Great place, feel sorry for today's youth - no clubs anymore.”
Kate wrote: “This club has a lot of history for me. It was the place to go with all my mates, then I worked on the bar for the last two years it was open. 10 years later, I met up with one of the old door staff and, 10 years after that, we are now married with two kids.”
John said: “I worked there from when it first opened for a few years - it was great fun. The Hitman and Her filmed a few times there. I've got a couple still on VHS video and have the ‘script’ somewhere for one or two of the shows. They hosted the first birthday of the Ritzy - Pete and Michaela burst out from a Birthday cake on the stage that I helped to make.”
The Ritzy closed in January 2003 following complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour. The building that housed the nightclub and the neighbouring 5th Avenue club and Hotshots bar was demolished in 2007, with a gym being built in its place.
What are your memories of the Ritzy? Let us know in the comments section below.
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