2Klub - The Nightingale

The Nightingale
Kent Street,
Birmingham

At thirty three years of age, (as of 2002) The Nightingale has to be the longest running gay club in the U.K., if not beyond. It's been based at many different locations during that time and for most of it, until recently, was a members' club. This seemed to account for the fact that it was slow to respond when the gates were finally but slowly opened to competition in Birmingham - (Brum's nightlife seemed to be well behind that of most other cities outside of London, limited by restrictive licensing laws and attitudes possibly influenced by the Quakers). After Subway City, Route Two (previously 66), Boots and a number of other places started to open, The 'gale moved to its current premises on the corner of Kent and Lower Essex Streets a few years ago. This is a huge building, on three floors, the top and ground floors being for dancing while the whole of the middle floor holds a bar, pool room, restaurant (under the management of Bradley this really is a restaurant, not just a snack bar), and games area. However, despite the size of the place, somehow it seemed that all those square feet weren't used to their potential.

In 2001, responding particularly to the opening of DV8 opposite, the 'gale underwent a massive refit, and people started flocking. Things have settled down a bit since then, but it remains hugely popular and can the gay community in Birmingham can be proud of creating not only the longest running gay clubs in the U.K. but also one of the finest venues in the city.

The music is generally chart/pop orientated, with some harder sounds upstairs, using resident DJs rather than "big names".

Staff are generally friendly, and so are the crowd, though at times you do get a bit of attitude.

For gay guys and gals and their pals who fancy a knees up.

Tony de Vit Memorial June 2003...

For the pics and a review of the Tony de Vit Memorial run in June 2003 by Tidy Trax for the launch of their new TdV album click on the Tidy Trax Events page.