8 of the North East's best nightclubs of years gone by

Often praised for some of the best nightlife in the country, our region has long had a vibrant scene of nightclubs.

We’ve turned back the clock and taken a look through our archives at some of the nightclubs across the region which are no longer around.

From floating clubs to venues with sticky floors and cheap drinks, these clubs used to have us up dancing into the night in years gone by.

How many do you remember?

Mardi Gras/Escapade, Darlington

Escapade in Darlington. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

See how this Durham street has changed over the years in pictures

Mardi Gras used to a hotspot for those wanting a boogie on Gladstone Street in Darlington. before becoming the Escapade club in October of 2004.

Some fondly the club as being a "top night" under its guise as the Mardi Gras as others said it was their favourite place to dance for miles.

The club later rebranded as The Hub following a major refurbishment in 2012, and just six months later closed its doors.

Tuxedo Princess, Gateshead/The River Tyne

The Tuxedo Princess at its mooring on the Tyne. (Image: ARCHIVE)

Something of a Tyneside icon in the club scene the Tuxedo Princess was known for its revolving dance floor and staff in naval uniform. Among that ex-staff was Girls Aloud star Cheryl.

The former ferry, named the Canadian Princess, was converted into a club by businessman Michael Quadrini who already ran the popular Tuxedo Junction club in Newcastle.

The boat was originally due to be moored on the Newcastle side of the river, but after a failed planning bid was docked on the Gateshead side instead.

This stunning picture shows the Millennium Bridge tilting open to allow the Tuxedo Princess to be towed away in 2008. (Image: NNP)

A farewell party was held in 2007 and the Princess towed away to Greece the next year and was reportedly scrapped in Turkey.

Tuxedo Royale, Middlesbrough/The River Tees

The Tuxedo Royale moored on the Tees.

Some people don't realise there were actually two floating Tuxedo clubs in the North East.

The Tuxedo Royale was moored in Middlesbrough for much of its time, having been converted from a car ferry built in the 1960s.

It spent a short spell on the Tyne too - when the Tuxedo Princess moved briefly to Glasgow - although most partygoers were probably too drunk to notice any difference.

This photo from our archives in 2012 shows the state of disrepair the boat was left in. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

The ship met its end in 2019, two years after a fire, where it was towed from its final resting place in Middlesbrough to Seaton Port in Hartlepool for scrap.

Inside Out, Darlington

Inside Out in Darlington. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Another once-popular Darlington venue, Inside Out on Beaumont Street near the town centre spent 12 years as part of the town’s nighttime scene.

Closing in 2020, before the Covid pandemic struck, the club said: "Unfortunately it has been decided to close Inside Out after 12 years.

"We are immensely proud of the long list of impressive and widely acclaimed Acts, Bands & DJ’s we have brought to Darlington.”

The venue wasn’t without its issues, being threatened with the suspension of its alcohol license and concerns over crime with assaults reported there.

Baja Beach Club, Gateshead

This picture from our archives was taken in 2001 when Baja Beach Club hosted the Red Hot Dance auditions. (Image: MIKE URWIN/ARCHIVE)

Baja Beach Club was once the place to go for a nice out on Tyneside. Another club actually located over the river on the Gateshead side near the Swing Bridge, club-goers weren’t deterred by the walk.

With a nautical theme, several bars and huge dancefloors over two levels this was one of the busiest spots in town.

The club closed in 2008 and the building given a new life as an office block.

New owners the Adderstone Group released this picture from inside a few years back before gutting the former club and converting it into offices. (Image: ADDERSTONE GROUP)

Plastered Parrot, Darlington

This picture of the then Plastered Parrot was taken in 2002. (Image: ANDY LAMB)

This club was, albeit with a series of different names, part of the Darlington club scene for decades.

First opened in the 1970s on Commercial Street it was known as Zhivagos, Oscar's, Emmy's, the Plastered Parrot, The Lounge and Cactus Jack's. Most recently it was called Audio until it closed more than a decade ago.

The building suffered a major fire in late 2020 just a month after it was purchased by the council and was demolished in 2021.

The Tall Trees, Yarm

Crowds having a great time at The Tall Trees.

Renowned for its star-studded guests The Tall Trees in Yarm proved a hit back in the day.

Home to Club Macmillans - also known affectionately as Club M - the venue attracted many big names throughout the noughties including Pete Tong, Girls Aloud, Chesney Hawkes, and many more.

Sadly, there's no chance of it making a return as the venue was left gutted by a fire shortly after its closure and has since been demolished.

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The Top Hat, Spennymoor

The former Top Hat in Spennymoor.

The former Top Hat nightclub in Spennymoor was a hit staying open for decades.

Artists from Brenda Lee to the disgraced Freddie Star reportedly performed in the club.

After closing down for good in 2014, the venue has been consigned to nightclub history.