FLASHBACK: The Brisbane nightclubs we loved and loathed

Remember Sibyls, the Roxy, or the Zoo? From the notorious to the outrageous, we take a look back inside some of the more memorable Brisvegas nightclubs of years gone by.

If you’re a Barry Brisso and of a certain age, you’ve either been to, or heard all about, these nightclubs.

Some, such as the notorious Whiskey Au Go Go which will forever be remembered for the arson attack which killed 15 people, have even had books written about them.

Many attracted headlines for all the wrong reasons, such as The Roxy in Fortitude Valley which became a central part of the Fitzgerald Inquiry into police and official corruption.

But most were just fun places to go out at a time when there wasn’t that much to do in Brisbane, such as Sibyls or The Zoo.

Others, such as pioneering gay nightclubs the Beat, Scores and The Wickham, helped propel the city from a conservative small town to a tolerant, outward-looking world city.

We take a look at the more memorable.

Whiskey Au Go Go

Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub in Amelia Street Fortitude Valley where two 4-gallon drums of super petrol were placed to set fire to the premises 08 Mar 1973. The site will forever be notorious. Picture: File

Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub. Picture: Supplied

Ground floor entrance to the Whiskey Au Go Go night club in Amelia Street, Fortitude Valley, after it was attacked with fire. Picture: Bob Barnes/File

The Roxy

Police arrive at The Roxy club in Fortitude Valley.

Chequers

Nightclub Copies Chequers nightclub Elizabeth St Brisbane in 1973.

Bodyguard private eye John Ryan in March 1973 at Chequers nightclub guarding liquor from the Whiskey Au-Go-Go fire.

Chequers nightclub drummer Wayn Allen fireproofing curtains.

Inside chequers nightclub Brisbane 1973.

Outside Chequers night club.

General Jackson’s

Allen Collinge and his Ragtime band at General Jackson's Bistro.

Cafe Neon

Mariom Marshall, Gary Marshall and Allan Camm at Cafe Neon in Paddington.

Sibyl’s

Elizabeth Croker, 26, and Susi Borg, 16, both of Hamilton on the Sibyl's and Images courtesy bus.

The Beat

Inside The Beat. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Merita Thompson and Justin Kennon at The Beat in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Joe Atken and Marcelle Piere. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Star and Sasha. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Grant Kennett, Matt Towler and Robert Bordhwrck. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Lauren Miles and Cameron Woods. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Kylie Johnson, Mark Jegger, Colleen Crawford. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Owner of The Beat nightclub John Hannah in 1996.

A welcome sign out for the USS Ronald Reagan Navy Personnel (sailors) at the Beat nightclub Fortitude Valley in Jan 2006. Picture: Peter Bull

Hogies

Outside Hogies nightclub in 1997. Picture: Jamie Hanson

Police outside Hogies nightclub in May 1997 after a series of stabbings.

Jazz n Blues Bar

Nicola Desmond, Patrik Nordmark and Lisa Ohrn at the Jazz n Blues Bar in 1998. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Joyanne and Frank Bell. Picture socials. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Louisa Janke and Angel Bailey in 2001.

Nadia Chwcher in 2001.

Carly O'Neill, Khalid Safi and Leah Pappin in 2001.

Charlitte Sanders and Angie Cracobe in 2001.

Ric’s Cafe Bar

Ric's bar in the Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, where Go-Betweens founder Grant McLennan frequented.

Inside Ric’s bar.

Paul Droguet and Caroline McDermott in 2000.

Carl Haydock, Paul Tomasehke, Greg Wilkinson, Pat Sherwood, Lucas Wilkinson in 1999 . Photo: Steve Pohlner

Rachel and Emma Smith in 2000.

DJ Tigermoth Tim Paterson in 2006.

Adrian King with Vanessa Eden in 1999. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Brigette Jean Allen in 2006.

Heaven

Exterior of the Heaven nightclub at Warner St, Fortitude Valley — the old Presbyterian church building in 1999. Picture: Giulio Saggin

The Healer

The Healer nightclub in Fortitude Valley in 2000. Picture: Adam Smith

The Healer in 2000. Picture: Adam Smith

Erik Bannister, Ruby Redhead, Joe Cassiti at The Healer in 200. Picture: Adam Smith

Seja Vogel and Elana McKinlay at The Healer in 2000. Picture: Adam Smith

Shana Dadson and Ross Knight at The Healer in 2000. Picture: Adam Smith

Monastery

The Monastery Nightclub at Fortitude Valley in 2000. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Casey Seabrook and Jarrad Moore at The Monastery. Picture: Giulio Saggin

Jo McPhee and Adamski Freeman in 2002. Picture: Giulio Saggin

2003: Bartenders Matt Harmer and Jarrad Moore shoot flames while Leigh Segboer and GM Stephen Lee serve drinks.The staff at The Monastery were trained by professional butler coach. Picture: Derek Moore

Lisa Foster of Bardon and Brent Scott of Teneriffe at The Monastery nightclub in Fortitude Valley.

The Zoo

Band Glockenspiel at The Zoo in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Tim Edser at The Zoo in 2002. Picture: Giulio Saggin

Melinda Jane at The Zoo in 2002. Picture: Giulio Saggin

The Family

August 2001: Dancing at the Family nightclub, in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Dancing at Family nightclub, in Fortitude Valley in 2001. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Wendy Goff and Josh Rich at the Family. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Brad Lihou and Nic Devine at the Family in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Sam Poursh and Paul Avenell in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Suzie Kanjuh and Trent O'Flanagan in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Kate Reynolds, Michelle and Kelly McKelvie, Michelle Jedra and Christine Glancy in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Rachel and Cushla Allan with Lisa Storey in 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Nic Brunner designer of the Family Nightclub, in Fortitude Valley in the Lounge bar in 2003. Picture: Adam Smith

Rev

December 2004: John 'Beeso' Beesley, manager of The Rev nightclub in Fortitude Valley, says the popular music venue received noise complaints. Picture: Heather Faulkner

The Fringe

A patron asks to pet the snake as Lena, 35yrs, performs with "my baby," Xanxe the eleven-year-old black diamond python at the Fringe, a popular Fortitude Valley nightclub in 2005. Picture: Heather Faulkner

Lena performs with her black diamond python at the Fringe in 2005. Picture: Heather Faulkner

Lena performs with her black diamond python at the Fringe in 2005. Picture: Heather Faulkner

Alhambra

Inside nightclub Alhambra in Fortitude Valley.

Inside nightclub Alhambra in Fortitude Valley.

Sarah Macindoe of Graceville and Caroline Keeping of Brookfield at Alhambra.

Inside nightclub Alhambra in Fortitude Valley.

Shannon Chirgwin and Julie Zeuschner of New Farm enjoy the nightclub Alhambra.

No. 12 Bar

January 2003: Christina Armstrong and Darren Riley at the new No.12 bar and nightclub in Mclachlan St, Fortitude Valley. Picture: Giulio Saggin