They say it’s never too late to learn – and I’ve learned something new that would’ve blown my socks off, had I been wearing any!
My tired feet were soaking in a bowl of hot water at the time.
British films of the 1950s and early 60s often featured scenes set in impossibly glamorous London night clubs frequented by impossibly glamorous ladies accompanied by impossibly handsome (but obviously untrustworthy) villains in impossibly white dinner jackets.
I thought those glitzy places only existed on studio sets, but I recently browsed through an October 1960 edition of the weekly listings magazine “What’s On In London”, which opened my eyes to the realisation that, while Wales was comparatively still living in austerity, London’s West End was awash with ‘nite spots’ where you could eat, drink, be entertained and dance until dawn.
As I understand it, Wales in 1960 was somewhat more low key.
Pubs weren’t open on Sundays in many areas and if you fancied going to the pictures on your day of rest, they didn’t open their doors until teatime!
Visitors to London in 1960 looking for sophisticated nightclub entertainment could choose from The Pigalle, The Gargoyle, Edmundo Ros’s Club, The Blue Angel, The Stork Room, Murray’s Cabaret Club, Winston’s (Danny La Rue & Ronnie Corbett’s ‘home’ for years) and dozens more.
Soho had its strip joints, catering for a male clientele, but most nightclubs were classy places offering spectacular floor shows and top international stars.
In October 1960, The Talk Of The Town was offering “Two fabulous floorshows, a superb three-course dinner, dancing to two bands and at 11.30 . . . Eartha Kitt!” – all for 47/6!
Which is around £2.50 in modern money.
But, listen to this!
At The Latin Quarter club, for 32/6 (less than two quid) you could enjoy dinner and dancing to a live band, comedy juggler Kumar, Greta Unger ‘World famous Viennese dancer’, The Latin Quarter Showgirls, 1960s vocal sensations The Freemen . . . and . . . The Inverness Scottish Pipers and Dancers!
Do any ‘impossibly glamorous’ London nightclubs still exist?
I’d like to think so.
I’d happily pay 32/6 to be entertained until dawn by Scottish pipers and dancers!
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