Quaffers was a beloved haunt amongst Stockport’s fashionable crowd during the 1970s through to the ’90s
Quaffers nightclub in Stockport just before it was demolished in 2004(Image: Jason Lock | MEN)
It’s been over twenty years since legendary nightclub Quaffers was torn down to make way for a DIY superstore. Launched in a former golf club in 1978, the club attracted major stars over two decades, from Shirley Bassey and the Drifters to Take That and George Best.
Boasting a capacity of 2,600, regulars at the lavish Hollingworth Road venue would enjoy watching acts perform on its hydraulic stage, while tucking into hot beef barms served from its basement kitchen.
Owned by Manchester businessman Douglas’ Dougie’ Flood, Quaffers became a beloved haunt amongst Stockport’s fashionable crowd during the 1970s and ’80s. However, the venue’s final performance took place in December 1998, with the location demolished in 2004.
The site had previously housed a golf driving range known as the Warren Country Club before being stripped and rebuilt as Quaffers.
Dougie Flood, who purchased the premises in 1978, was already known for operating some of the area’s most celebrated nightclubs. He also oversaw Bredbury Hall Hotel until his death in 2001.
Love Greater Manchester’s past? Sign up to our nostalgia newsletter here
On November 2, 1978, The Stage reported: “The doors have also opened on the Quaffers country club, Bredbury, Stockport and the first phase of a magnificent million-pound project of Douglas Flood’s First House.
The interior of Quaffers – which was described as ‘classical opulent – glass, brass and mirrors'(Image: David Jarratt)
“After about three years of closure, the club has been completely refurbished with extensive interior and exterior alterations. A major transformation has taken place with a palatial ballroom and a lighting system that manager Graham Warner describes as ‘superb.’
“It is open for dancing, dining, conferences, weddings, star cabaret, charity nights and exhibitions and is, according to Warner, ‘truly multipurpose.'”
Quaffers welcomed a host of top performers during its heyday – stars including Shirley Bassey, Tommy Cooper, the Drifters and Suzi Quattro all performed on its famous hydraulic stage.
Quaffers nightclub, Bredbury, Stockport(Image: Stockport Heritage Library)
During its final years, the venue also hosted a show featuring a recently-formed boy band called Take That, where member Gary Barlow was already familiar to the Quaffers staff, having previously played piano at nearby Bredbury Hall.
Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
Strict dress code
The establishment became a popular destination for dancing and entertainment, but was also renowned for its strict dress code requirements.
Following on from its days as a cabaret club, punters who failed to dress appropriately simply wouldn’t get past the security on the door.
The rules, which included no white socks, no piercings or visible tattoos on males, and no shaven heads, made headlines on several occasions.
In April 1996, the MEN reported on newlyweds Leslie and Debbie Watts, who were turned away at the door because her beaded plaits were “unconventional”.
Dancing at Quaffers in Stockport – 1980s(Image: Facebook/Quaffers)
Her husband, Leslie, who had a closely cropped haircut, was also denied entry for the same reason.
They were part of a party of 35 people who had gone to the club. On being knocked back at the door, Debbie said: “I was really angry for a few minutes but then I just had to laugh – it was so ludicrous.
“It was lucky I was driving otherwise we would have been stranded there. I thought the guy was just a bouncer at first, but he told me he was the general manager.
“His hair was all over the place and I thought that he had a real cheek suggesting my hair was unsuitable.” Thankfully, the couple and a few others were able to return to Oldham to carry on the party.
Debbie and Leslie Watts from Oldham who were refused entry to Quaffers due to Debbie’s beaded braids
The following year, the Manchester Metro News published a story on a party of 25 people who were stunned to learn they couldn’t get into the club because two men had hair deemed “too short”.
Julie Orson and her colleagues had pre-booked tickets for a show at Quaffers. Still, Julie’s husband, Gary, who was on leave from the army, and his friend Dave were turned away because their hair was too short.
Julie said: “We just couldn’t believe it, it ruined the whole evening.”
Adding: “Dave has got a normal haircut, there were people going in with much shorter hair than his, even bald men were allowed in.
“One of the bouncers had bleached blonde hair all down his back, which was obviously okay.”
Others who had been turned away at Quaffers’ door have said they were barred entry for various reasons, including wearing white socks.
In fact, the dress code policy was so controversial, in 1996 Quaffers’ owners was taken to court after turning away members of a Trafford distribution company who had to abandon their staff Christmas dinner when an employee was refused entry because of his hairstyle.
The distribution company had taken the club to court demanding a refund on the £918 bill for the Christmas dinner but the court ruled in Quaffers’ favour.
Quaffers’ company secretary, Phillip Lord, said: “It goes to prove we are fighting for standards which cater for the normal type of person and not thugs.
“We allow long hair and short hair, as long as it isn’t shaven. But we don’t accept visible tattoos or earrings in blokes.”
Wet t-shirt and boxer short contests
Quaffers also featured adult-themed entertainment, including a wet t-shirt contest on Wednesday nights.
The competition, aided by a built-in shower spraying water over the stage, was a popular feature of its time.
In the name of equality, a ladies’ version of the event was launched, which saw male punters sporting a pair of Quaffers-branded boxers on stage in front of the crowds to be crowned Mr Boxer Shorts.
One of the Mr Boxer Shorts competitions at Quaffers in Stockport(Image: David Jarratt)
However, in 1998, Stockport bid farewell to one of its most iconic entertainment venues.
Previously, MEN readers have shared their favourite memories of the landmark Stockport nightclub, paying homage to the many great nights spent at this one-of-a-kind venue.
Jill Ratcliffe said: “Spent many, many happy nights there over the years as I grew up in Romiley. Great place!”
Sian Elliott said: “Quaffers and Brett Paul the DJ. Brilliant nights out there.”
Julie Harrison-Hamer said: “I spent many a Friday night there.
“We used to collect the vouchers on the tables which got you in free before 9.30. I remember Dougie sat at the door in his white suit.
Inside Quaffers club in Bredbury, weeks before it was demolished in 2004(Image: Jason Lock | MEN)
“You could go there and feel safe. We never once saw any trouble and we loved the Stax of Soul nights. £2.20 for two halves of Fosters! Them were the days.”
Karen Meakin said: “I had my hen night there in 1989 and my friends decided I wouldn’t appreciate a stripper so got me a ‘trampogram’.. never been so embarrassed, being picked up on the stage by some scruffy bloke and read a poem to.”
In the months before the site’s demolition in 2004, the Manchester Evening News spoke to Ian Flood, the son of founder Dougie Flood and the club’s former owner.
Quaffers club weeks before it was demolished in 2004(Image: Jason Lock | MEN)
He reminisced: “The club holds a lot of fond memories for an awful lot of people.”
“It was a quality venue that was well ahead of its time.
“The décor was classical opulent – glass, brass and mirrors – without being garish.
“It was a fantastic place and I still get people coming up to me now talking about their memories of the club.
“The saddest day for me was handing over the keys after the sale.”
Get news, views and analysis of the biggest stories with the daily Mancunian Way newsletter – sign up here