What's the best Allnighter NOW?

How do you decide what's the best? Is it the venue, the DJ line up, what they play, the dance floor, the Boggs, the geographical location, the atmosphere, the people, the dancing, the music system, the hype, the exclusiveness, the facilities..... what?

I'm not talking about yesteryear, I'm talking about right now.

I did Stoke on Saturday night and spent the whole evening upstairs in the Modern room, why? Not too sure, I do love Modern but I walked out onto the balcony and it was like Wigan Casino, can you top that? I was bored.

The atmosphere was super and the sound system first class, the punters where all up for it and the DJ line up was top draw but for me it's just a warm up for Middletown this Saturday.

What's the difference? The punters are different? The music excites me and if I was to be honest with myself Middletown reminds me of Wigan Casino, I don't think I heard more than two or three records I knew when I visited the hallowed ground of the Casino, (only three visits) of course I know the sounds now, don't we all?

But I remember the days when they where all new to me and exciting to me. Middleton is now my Wigan Casino, probably a very strange comparison but I walk in there and love every second of the evening and although the music is now getting more familiar it still blows my socks off at the quality and depth of the music I haven't heard before.

But what makes an Allnighter for you? What are the must have ingredients? What needs to be there for you to go back and what need to be missing for you to avoid it?

I do Stoke and the Blackpool Weekender, I suppose because my friends are there and I enjoy the "Northernsoul Carnival", not sure if I'm becoming a snob or if I have been a snob for some time? Maybe I'm just a knob?

For me it's the place I feel most comfortable at, you know Simon like a pair of old comfy shoes & that's Middleton. It's the best all rounder musically, no Dj Diva's & I can wander all night round the "Avenues & Alleyways" & always find a friendly face to chat with.

I don't find it like Wigan,except the w.c.'s but with less running water on the floor, because Wigan was a dump & it's a nostalgia thing now looking through rose tinted glasses (only missed first two), what made it exceptional for me was; the music,the people & the dancefloor, the better venues were Mecca, Hanley & both Cleethorpes venues were palaces compared to Wigan.

I know what you mean about Stoke & everything else (except possibly Lifeline,Thorne & Burnley)is a warm ups for Middleton & at Middleton the people accept almost everything, unknown/semi known/underplayed, & will dance with no moans & groans, they just get on with it.

Simon Skeggy's "Vaults of Soul" is worth checking out in June, can recommend it & it still gives me the buzz. Hope to see you Saturday at Middleton.

Take care,be safe & "Keep doing it like you do",

Spot.

only history will tell....and i think this decade will be known for middleton....ive not been yet(although got a sample from thier djs at bridgewater on saturday and liked it !)...always seem to be busy but hope to make one soon....

normally make stoke at least once a year and while i understand about overplayed and repeat tunes i still love it,its the combination of venue,crowd sound and music but probably cos the venue looks so much like wigan

The best allnighter for me has to be Winsford why?? Because it as all the ingredients required and its a venue that as the lot!! .....for example.........atmosphere!! .......dancefloor to die for!!! ...........friendly peeps!! ........quality sounds always!!!(and not repetative) .......and the facilitys are second to none.

Although i love Kings Hall ........Winsford just does it for me everytime!!!!

JB xxxKTFxxx

Its a toughie...it varies a lot for me. One weekend it'll be the 100 club & the next week Middleton. A combination of the choons played, the atmosphere, the people there....

Theres a lot of fantastic nighters on now but it's always different strokes for different folks which is why it's great that theres so many nighters on, something for everybody!

Lifeline and the first two Soul Rev's were very good IMO

ps. I also enjoyed Denmarks all-niter last year but the police shut it down 4:30 am the place was rocking

Edited April 3, 200817 yr by Simon M

They era of the All-Nighter is over I feel. They always seem interminably long. One factor is down to the fact that people get pissed and bars stay open late open all night. (This was not the case back in the day.) Usually these nights start off with a bang (til about 2) and end with a whimper, after the booze takes its toll.

Not repetitive? It depends how much you get out and if you listen to much music. If you go out once a month or dont listen to music as a part of your eveyday existence and needs, then Im sure these 'Big' allnighters fulfill your desires. Its down to the collective unconsciousness, or consciousness

Personally I think 9pm til 7 or 8am is ridiculous. Remember we used to start at 1am and finish at 7am?! That was why it worked...a short intense and committed burst of 'soul'.

A lot of these events have All-nighter times but the crowd come with a soul night attitude.......hence the fade out at 2am.

I know some will say, "our venue if packed from start to finish"...were the best in the country, blah, blah, but, I have visited ALL of them I think and the reality is often far from the truth....very few sustain the momentum and often publicise on the reminicences of one 'special' night, that was packed and had a great atmosphere!

I wish it were different, I would love to go to a regular nighter, with a guaranteed success formula....lets hope it materialises soon.

My attendance at all-nighters is heavily influenced by my shiftwork, so is somewhat limited and whilst I've not attended several of the regular venues, not by choice I might add ,the place that really has done it for me every time is the Kestrel Suite at Burnley, for the music, the people and not forgetting the venue itself which are..... top notch

Valencia Northern Soul Club:

Location: In Valencia (Spain)...9 month of sun, todays 26 Cº...

Venue: In the catacombs of a centric hotel, late 70´s venue with wooden floor and bargain prices (beer 2 GBP drinks 4GBP)

DJ Line up: The next week: Ginger Taylo, Dave Moore & Sergio SMART... want more?

Time: 00:00 till 7:00 and previous warm up

Fantastic athmosfere & great music policy (the same of hundred club)

What's the best Allnighter NOW?

How do you decide what's the best? Is it the venue, the DJ line up, what they play, the dance floor, the Boggs, the geographical location, the atmosphere, the people, the dancing, the music system, the hype, the exclusiveness, the facilities..... what?

I'm not talking about yesteryear, I'm talking about right now.

I did Stoke on Saturday night and spent the whole evening upstairs in the Modern room, why? Not too sure, I do love Modern but I walked out onto the balcony and it was like Wigan Casino, can you top that? I was bored.

The atmosphere was super and the sound system first class, the punters where all up for it and the DJ line up was top draw but for me it's just a warm up for Middletown this Saturday.

What's the difference? The punters are different? The music excites me and if I was to be honest with myself Middletown reminds me of Wigan Casino, I don't think I heard more than two or three records I knew when I visited the hallowed ground of the Casino, (only three visits) of course I know the sounds now, don't we all?

But I remember the days when they where all new to me and exciting to me. Middleton is now my Wigan Casino, probably a very strange comparison but I walk in there and love every second of the evening and although the music is now getting more familiar it still blows my socks off at the quality and depth of the music I haven't heard before.

But what makes an Allnighter for you? What are the must have ingredients? What needs to be there for you to go back and what need to be missing for you to avoid it?

I do Stoke and the Blackpool Weekender, I suppose because my friends are there and I enjoy the "Northernsoul Carnival", not sure if I'm becoming a snob or if I have been a snob for some time? Maybe I'm just a knob?

My vote would be for the 100 club, though I've never been to Burnley or Lifeline (To my shame).

One thing strikes me continually about the 100 club. When we in here wax lyrical about our fave nighters of the past, a rose tinted view is impossible to fight against. I honestly believe, that though my fave ever has to be a tie with Yate and Stafford, once the 100 closes for good (God forbid), then that will be regarded as THE allnighter for Northern Soul fans. Userping the Casino.

As Brits, we are very good at not relishing things that are truely great, greater than ever before, just because it is there. I'm not saying it is taken for granted, but once its gone, some people may well feel that way about it, and wish they'd gone more. In my financial exile from niters at the minute, the 100 is the weekend it really hurts me.

They era of the All-Nighter is over I feel. They always seem interminably long. One factor is down to the fact that people get pissed and bars stay open late open all night. (This was not the case back in the day.) Usually these nights start off with a bang (til about 2) and end with a whimper, after the booze takes its toll.

Not repetitive? It depends how much you get out and if you listen to much music. If you go out once a month or dont listen to music as a part of your eveyday existence and needs, then Im sure these 'Big' allnighters fulfill your desires. Its down to the collective unconsciousness, or consciousness

Personally I think 9pm til 7 or 8am is ridiculous. Remember we used to start at 1am and finish at 7am?! That was why it worked...a short intense and committed burst of 'soul'.

A lot of these events have All-nighter times but the crowd come with a soul night attitude.......hence the fade out at 2am.

I know some will say, "our venue if packed from start to finish"...were the best in the country, blah, blah, but, I have visited ALL of them I think and the reality is often far from the truth....very few sustain the momentum and often publicise on the reminicences of one 'special' night, that was packed and had a great atmosphere!

I wish it were different, I would love to go to a regular nighter, with a guaranteed success formula....lets hope it materialises soon.

I agree, would much rather start at midnight till 7 - 8 & have it kick ass till dawn..........trouble is a lot of venues want the bar revenue, personally a bar isnt the main attraction for me at a Nighter & I very rarely drink at Nighters IMHO the two dont really mix................soul night alcahol, Allnighter adrenalin..............also like someone mentioned a few weeks ago, we would usually stop at a soul night en route to a nighter, sometimes this would be why the soul night was successful, cos it was located nearby or on the way..............I would love to see a Nighter that was condensed into 6 - 8 full on hours of soulful dance, no warm ups, just straight into the main attraction............wooooooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh & leave you shocked, stunned & reeling from the hit & begging for more.............

Russ

What's the best Allnighter NOW?

It's all personal taste Simon. You can't have a a "best" or worse" it's the one you like

(or dislike). Perhaps the most commercially successful right now could well be Stoke.

In July the place will be rammed, the dance-floor stay solidly packed and most will stay

until 04.00AM for sure.

Chris L (the voice of sanity)

It's all personal taste Simon. You can't have a a "best" or worse" it's the one you like

(or dislike). Perhaps the most commercially successful right now could well be Stoke.

In July the place will be rammed, the dance-floor stay solidly packed and most will stay

until 04.00AM for sure.

Chris L (the voice of sanity)

========

every all niter ive been to in the last 5 years has delivered for me...

favourite at the moment is Middleton..cant believe i didnt go til last year!,its just utterly brilliant!

tic)

Love stoke,stables,aquarius too.....

The best allnighter for me has to be Winsford why?? Because it as all the ingredients required and its a venue that as the lot!! .....for example.........atmosphere!! .......dancefloor to die for!!! ...........friendly peeps!! ........quality sounds always!!!(and not repetative) .......and the facilitys are second to none.

Although i love Kings Hall ........Winsford just does it for me everytime!!!!

JB xxxKTFxxx

Unfortunately Winsford has evaded me so far for various reasons but will get there one day!!! Heard such good reports about it and am dying to try the dancefloor out (everyone mentions how good it is!)

Haven't made a lot of nighters over the past few months due to health reasons or the damn weather but one I just couldn't bare to miss is the Stormin' Soul Nighter at Barnsley. It certainly pushes all my buttons! Great crowd of people, great atmosphere and above all fantastic uptempo music, need I say more!!!

Agree with the comment about the timings. Let's take Middleton for instance, the last two or three I've been to (have missed the last two), I found that the place didn't really get going till about midnight. Like it has been suggested, a lot of folk will turn up there after another do elsewhere. I'm all for a midnight start to be honest!! AS FOR THE TOILETS THERE, CAN'T COMMENT ON THE MEN'S OF COURSE BUT THE LADIES' ARE AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE, SECOND ONLY TO THE CASINO!!!

Whether I'll make the next Winsford is questionable as Barnsley is on the night before and no matter how young I am in my head I'm afraid this weary body of mine won't put up with two on the trot MIGHT HAVE TO FLIP A COIN !!

Unfortunately Winsford has evaded me so far for various reasons but will get there one day!!! Heard such good reports about it and am dying to try the dancefloor out (everyone mentions how good it is!)

Haven't made a lot of nighters over the past few months due to health reasons or the damn weather but one I just couldn't bare to miss is the Stormin' Soul Nighter at Barnsley. It certainly pushes all my buttons! Great crowd of people, great atmosphere and above all fantastic uptempo music, need I say more!!!

Agree with the comment about the timings. Let's take Middleton for instance, the last two or three I've been to (have missed the last two), I found that the place didn't really get going till about midnight. Like it has been suggested, a lot of folk will turn up there after another do elsewhere. I'm all for a midnight start to be honest!! AS FOR THE TOILETS THERE, CAN'T COMMENT ON THE MEN'S OF COURSE BUT THE LADIES' ARE AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE, SECOND ONLY TO THE CASINO!!!

Whether I'll make the next Winsford is questionable as Barnsley is on the night before and no matter how young I am in my head I'm afraid this weary body of mine won't put up with two on the trot MIGHT HAVE TO FLIP A COIN !!

====

forgot about winsford - gr8 venue and a dancefloor to die on - we're spoilt arent we??

Great thread, I have not been to an all-nighter for years but hope to if I ever get back to the UK. I am intrigued, what is the music policy/style (is there one) at Middleton? I continue to read good things about this venue, some set listings would be great, if possible.

Thanks from an old soul boy living in Stockholm!

got to be the wilton for me ,didnt like middleton much .the next one is going to be a packer top lineup great new refurb ,top people and very few repeats.if any

Musically = Lifeline, by a country mile

atmosphere = 100 club, nowhere else like it

good jolly night = Rugby, peoples venue

got to be the wilton for me ,didnt like middleton much .the next one is going to be a packer top lineup great new refurb ,top people and very few repeats.if any

If this is the Col I think it is, and knowing the type of stuff you like, I could've told you Middleton wasn't

your thing. Could've saved you a bob or two !!

How you doin' buggerlugs?

Carol x

Never been to Winsford, Barnsley & to be honest don't really want to go to the 100 club & I can't really explain why, other than not liking underground rooms & London really & if I say more I'm sure I'll offend someone. so really I can't comment on them.

Jobbo the mens toilets are just as bad if not worse than the ladies but still not a patch on how bad Casino's was.

Had some great times on foreign soil in Italy & Sweden, they just enjoy the music & a good time, not sure wether that counts as they're one offs.

Also I always turn up after pub's close, nearer to the old niter times, otherwise it can become a little to much but let people go early it gives us more dance space.

Take care, be safe & Always arrive fashionably late,

Spot.

For me it has to be Middleton,the music policy is if its good play it whether its a £10 cheapo or a ultra rare £££££ record,cant remember when I first went there but its few years ago,and it was not the busyiest nighter back then,but it as gone from strength to strength.

I will have to give Stormin'Soul,Citrus Rooms,Barnsley,a shout,Simon and Ami are doing a great job there,and I will be going on May the 30th.Anyone not been give it a go,you will not be disappointed.

Kev

100Club for old friends and atmosphere has to be my No1

Love Stoke for the venue and the crowd ...ok music is a bit 'comfortable' but always a good nite

Fell in love with Wilton.

They would be my top 3....for now of course

I dont think the niter scene is dead at all ive sed loads of times i prefer the later start but to me the niter is wot its all about

Soul nites are good but i always leave wanting more.

Like russ i dont think drink n niters go together and this has contributed to their drop in numbers n atmosphere in some cases

Anyway bit off topic

Sorry

Helen

XXXX

I agree, would much rather start at midnight till 7 - 8 & have it kick ass till dawn..........trouble is a lot of venues want the bar revenue, personally a bar isnt the main attraction for me at a Nighter & I very rarely drink at Nighters IMHO the two dont really mix................soul night alcahol,

No only on the way to a niter hey m8

Allnighter adrenalin..............also like someone mentioned a few weeks ago, we would usually stop at a soul night en route to a nighter, sometimes this would be why the soul night was successful, cos it was located nearby or on the way..............I would love to see a Nighter that was condensed into 6 - 8 full on hours of soulful dance, no warm ups, just straight into the main attraction............wooooooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh & leave you shocked, stunned & reeling from the hit & begging for more.............

Russ

Burnley - one of the last serious bastions of our scene!!

Rugby - not as serious but wonderful venue with young blood and a policy which will accept fresh stuff and not ask DJ's to stick to a certain format (a pointless exercise)

100 club for the comradery, the history and the place to hear the no.1 dj air his wares on a regular basis.

Edited April 13, 200817 yr by SteveC

Middleton and Burnley no question the top two in the country

In my defence, this was a particularly long journey & I needed to drink a serious amount of vodka as my boredom thresh hold is pretty low, as entertaining as you are Steve, I needed to make my own entertainment, which maybe we shouldnt go into, but anyone being sprayed with a dubious liquid whilst on the M1 last Friday...............it wasnt me it was the others................honest .

Russ

got to be the wilton for me ,didnt like middleton much .the next one is going to be a packer top lineup great new refurb ,top people and very few repeats.if any

Oh yes, sorry, I forgot about WILTON. Heard the last one was brilliant. Run by people who love music and always delivers something new.

For me it has to be the 100 club. It was the first all nighter i went to when i first got into soul about 6 years ago. The music never faults and always a great atmophere, and made some great friends in that place.

Not been to any all-nighters in the north so i suppose thats something i need to change!

Edited April 4, 200817 yr by Ollie Lailey

Sian says I have to say it's Rugby, but it's the 100 Club really......only just though.

BURNLEY.........

BURNLEY.........

everythings allright

HAS TO BE MIDDLETON, 3 ROOMS,SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, GREAT ATMOSPHERE EVERY TIME

JANETTE.

Edited April 4, 200817 yr by toffee lady

Sian says I have to say it's Rugby, but it's the 100 Club really......only just though.

Oi Rimmer...

How could anyone try and compare themselves to the 100 club...the amount of years they have been running says it all...

They era of the All-Nighter is over I feel. They always seem interminably long. One factor is down to the fact that people get pissed and bars stay open late open all night. (This was not the case back in the day.) Usually these nights start off with a bang (til about 2) and end with a whimper, after the booze takes its toll.

Not repetitive? It depends how much you get out and if you listen to much music. If you go out once a month or dont listen to music as a part of your eveyday existence and needs, then Im sure these 'Big' allnighters fulfill your desires. Its down to the collective unconsciousness, or consciousness

Personally I think 9pm til 7 or 8am is ridiculous. Remember we used to start at 1am and finish at 7am?! That was why it worked...a short intense and committed burst of 'soul'.

A lot of these events have All-nighter times but the crowd come with a soul night attitude.......hence the fade out at 2am.

I know some will say, "our venue if packed from start to finish"...were the best in the country, blah, blah, but, I have visited ALL of them I think and the reality is often far from the truth....very few sustain the momentum and often publicise on the reminicences of one 'special' night, that was packed and had a great atmosphere!

I wish it were different, I would love to go to a regular nighter, with a guaranteed success formula....lets hope it materialises soon.

Agree entirley paul as most of us now know your always right and everyone else is always wrong .Got to agree with jobbo our toilets are crap which is why the building is being demolished and we move into the brand new one in january so the toilets should come up to scratch if that is your priority.As for best niter i must be one of the lucky one,s who enjoys most nites oldies newies rnb modern i like a bit of everything,but have to admit stay clear of one room events if possible,but seeing as the niter scene is dead dosent seem much point now,

but seeing as the niter scene is dead dosent seem much point now,

Edited April 5, 200817 yr by Soulgrit

got to be the wilton for me ,didnt like middleton much .the next one is going to be a packer top lineup great new refurb ,top people and very few repeats.if any

I have to agree Colin we dont get to many due to one thing and another, but i love this place, its so friendly and lovely place and i personnally thought the 9 oclock start was FAB i cant ever get enough and by 7 was still hungry for more, but hey THATS ME

Edited April 5, 200817 yr by Guest

everythings allright

CO'S SOME NIGHTS LEDGE ..........WE GO BONKERS DONT WE MATE !!!!!!LOL LOL ............

nighters years ago had a very shady,dodgy edge to them you were always sure to make sure you had your witts about you,but I feel thats what made them great.

We have moved on a bit obviously nowdays,but what I like these days is boundry pushing (music wise) clubs that are not to big and plenty of characters,dancers and people who are expert in the nighter tradition of talking bollox who never take offence at the shite that is spoken. I have been on ythis scene 38 years and the scene around manchester at the moment is by far the best,for me personally BURNLEY ALLNIGHTER has all the ingredients I love thats why we are happy to drive 3 hours to get there and a good night is had even if on occasion the numbers are a bit down.A point to remember though is although the nighter crowd are middle aged in the main....they have the get up and go that made them want to be on this scene all those years ago AND ARE STILL THERE

my house after a soul nite

my house after a soul nite

Have to agree honey ..... best "nighters" tend to be in someone kitchen "Mr & Mrs Rhodes" do it for me not only do I get totally spoilt musically its like having my own DJs playing just for me WONDERFUL They also serve up coffee & food !

========

every all niter ive been to in the last 5 years has delivered for me...favourite at the moment is Middleton..cant believe i didnt go til last year!,its just utterly brilliant!

tic)

Love stoke,stables,aquarius too.....

When & where is Middelon on ? I feel a ferry ticket coming on........

Chris L De Man Van Mechelen................

WINSFORD DOES IT FOR ME. BEST DAMN FLOOR IN THE COUNTRY IN MY OPINION

WINSFORD DOES IT FOR ME. BEST DAMN FLOOR IN THE COUNTRY IN MY OPINION

The best by far

JB xxxKTFxxx

Im dead chuffed that Stormin' Soul (Citrus Rooms, Barnsley) is being mentioned right up there with some of my favourite nighters (middleton, winsford, burnley)

Me and Amie work very hard to try and get all those ingredients just right for the perfect nighter and aim to make sure everyone leaves with a great big smile

If you havent given it a try yet, come pay us a visit on Fri 30th May for some serious dancing action

BURNLEY.

This is as good as it gets. Great people, electric atmosphere and then there's the music... Awesome!