A "legendary" Scottish nightclub has announced it will close after more than 30 years, marking a significant loss for Scotland's dance music scene. Club 69, a small underground venue in Paisley, first opened its doors in 1993 within a basement underneath a curry house on New Sneddon Street. On Wednesday, August 19, its owners revealed that the club "will no longer be as you know it," with it officially set to close on October 10.
A hub for electronic dance music since the early 1990s
Located less than 10 miles from the centre of Glasgow, the nightclub specialises in electronic dance music and has been a popular destination since the early 1990s. The news of its closure has come as a shock to Scotland's music lovers, who have since shared their disappointment on social media.
Throughout its history, Club 69 has hosted many of the biggest names in dance music. Among the many globally renowned musicians who have performed at the club over the years are Juan Atkins, Underground Resistance, Leftfield, Skream, Andrew Weatherall, and Jackmaster.
Owners thank staff and visitors
In a lengthy statement shared onto its Facebook and Instagram pages thanking staff and visitors, a spokesperson for Club 69 wrote: "This has been a passion project for the current management team, and that project has unfortunately come to an end. It's been an absolute pleasure to have played a small part in the legendary venue's long journey, which dates back to the very first party in 1989—but all good things must come to an end."
When Club 69 first opened its doors in 1993, it quickly earned the nickname 'the rave cave' thanks to its incredible DJ sets and welcoming and exciting atmosphere. It wasn't long before the venue attracted the attention of popular musicians, but it always showcased homegrown Scottish talent as well.
Close ties to Rubadub record store
Club 69 is closely tied to Rubadub, which is one of the most renowned and influential music shops not only in Scotland but the whole world. The record store was originally situated in Paisley before moving to its current Glasgow location. Back in the day, DJs would fly into Scotland and shop for records at Rubadub, before performing at Club 69 the same night.
All hope might not be lost for Club 69, as the owners of the venue have stated that they are looking for someone new to potentially take the reins. They have shared an online business sale enquiry form, which those who are interested in taking over the premises can fill in.
Closing parties lined up
In the meantime, before Club 69 closes on October 10, the legendary venue has announced a series of special one-off events. Whether you have always wanted to visit the club and never got the chance, or are just keen to experience a piece of Scotland's music history, now might well be your final chance.
Club 69 stated: "We've got a number of closing parties lined up—some hosted by external promoters, and some of our own, kicking off with MDDLTN on 12th September. Keep an eye on social media for more details of closing parties coming soon. Before we go—we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone we've worked with along the way—all the staff, the people behind the scenes, the DJs, our suppliers, and most importantly, you lot—the ravers!"
More information can be found on the Club 69 website.
