Dirty Stop Outs from the 1970s & 80s!

Hi Historic Forum fans and bloggers! I'm a Canley kid and local author. I'm now researching for a fun book I'm going to be writing on Coventry nightlife in the 1970's - it's going to be part of the Dirty Stop Out Guides series. Have you got memories, pictures or memorabilia of Coventry’s fab nightlife in the 1970s? Maybe you were a regular at the Locarno, Mr. George’s, Tomango’s, the Market Tavern, Silver Sword or any number of Cov’s great pubs and clubs! (That includes the working men's clubs). And let’s not forget the Parson’s Nose where many of us rocked up at the end of a long hard night doing the rounds! If so, I would like to hear from you. Anything you share would be fully acknowledged of course! Look forward to hearing, Ruth

There's nothing I can help you with on the subject Ruth, but there are quite a few on here who will be able to.

Mod's note: Many possible responses to this request have already been posted elsewhere on the forum - there are a number of threads which cover this subject It would be appreciated if these are not repeated "en masse" within this thread - members may also choose to contact Ruth direct rather than post on here Thanks

Sorry I was more a 60's dirty stop out.

Great times in the 60s too! Did you go to the Locarno zigzag? What pubs did you go to?

Thanks Midland Red. Certainly are lots of threads that relate to this topic! Pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, record shops, fashion, 2Tone, ska, Lieutenant Pigeon..... phew! This is such a great site. I'm working my through slowly but surely. If anyone would like to get in touch, do email me directly. To find out more there is the Facebook group as well - anyone who wants to share memories and pics can join that group! Looking forward to hearing from all of you Dirty Stop Outs! Thanks a lot. https://www.facebook.com/groups/448399622196947/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel Mod's note: You may need to already be logged into Facebook so as to access this, I believe. Best wishes, Phily.

Yes I did go to the Locarno, the Rockhouse as we then knew it, also the Forty Thieves. I used to go to all the town centre pubs, the Tavern, Three Tuns, the Mercia, the Golden Lion in the Hotel Leofric, the Jaguar, just to name a few. You are right, the 60's were a great time to be young.

Our 70s route was always to start at the Jaguar, then the City Arms, then it could be The Three Tuns, Penny Black, Tally Ho, The Bear and usually ending up at The Alhambra. Clubs would mostly be the Robin Hood at the end of Spon St., sometimes The City Centre Club and Mr. George's. Didn't go to The Locarno much except to see bands, I was there when The Specials recorded a live single.

There is a "City centre pub crawl" thread here

I also used to go to the out of town pubs the likes of The Walsgrave, The Red House, The Mercers Arms, The Sportsman and a few others, who had turned one of the bars into a disco. Some often had live bands playing.

Thanks a lot

Ruth, As this will, presumably, be a profit making venture, will contributors be paid, or at least have a free copy of the completed book? Anne Edited by member, 3rd May 2017 10:25 pm

Hi Anne, I wish that were the case but no budget for that I'm afraid. It's not a big venture or a big publisher that is bringing this out but small independent. All the best, Ruth

Good Morning HCF! If any of you are by a radio on Monday morning about 10.30, I'll be speaking on BBC Cov & Warks about being a Dirty Stop Out in 1970's Coventry, with presenter Vic Minnett. Do tune in if you can! All the best and have a nice weekend. Ruth

Hi Cov Kidd, would love to hear more about your experiences such as being there when Specials recorded their single live at the Locarno! Look forward to hearing from you. Ruth