A cliff path in Shanklin once led to a venue that defined a generation of Isle of Wight nightlife.
Before the modern housing, before the quiet, leafy calm of Northcliffe Gardens, the edge of Shanklin’s cliffs once echoed with music, dancing and laughter. This was the home of the Eastcliff Club – and later Cobwebs – two of the most iconic nightclubs ever to grace the Bay.
The club first opened in the 1960s and briefly changed its name to The Dolphin in 1968, before eventually settling as the Eastcliff Club during its most vibrant years in the 1970s. It was nestled above the seafront just past The Hideaway café – not just a local secret, but a magnet for teens, tourists and anyone in search of a buzzing weekend. The cliff path itself became part of the ritual, with teenagers often pausing mid-route to share a drink and build up their nerve before heading inside.
The Eastcliff wasn’t polished or glamorous, but it didn’t need to be. For many teens, it was their first taste of nightlife. Memories of packed Saturdays, flashing lights and thumping bass have stayed with people for decades.
One regular, who attended in the late 60s and early 70s, has said:
“Eastcliff Club was my regular haunt in the late 60s, very early 70s.
“It had a vibe no other nightclub on the Island could match – apart from La Babalu, another serious nightclub.”
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Another former patron fondly recalled their nights at the club in the 1970s:
“Oh my – many, many happy memories growing up and going to the Eastcliff on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights! Maybe even a Sunday if my memory serves me right!
“I can remember the set-up of the place as if it was yesterday. I even had my hen party there in the 70s!
“Remember not having much money and drinking cheap sherry on the cliff path before going in. Arghhhh – so young and irresponsible looking back!”
One former clubgoer, recalling the 1970s, has said:
“Loved the Eastcliff Club. My friend and I went there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if we could!
“Met my husband there and also had my hen party there in the 70s.
“Remember the layout to this day.
“The cliff path we walked along, drinking cheap sherry to work up the courage to go in!”
Another former regular shared this nostalgic memory:
“Was a favourite of mine. Great memories.
“When you paid your entrance fee, they gave you a raffle ticket that you handed in at the food hatch to get sausage and chips in a basket.
“That’s how they got their late-night licence. Happy days…”
As the 1980s arrived, the venue was rebranded as Cobwebs. While the name changed, the energy did not. Cobwebs quickly became a rite of passage for the Island’s youngsters and a firm favourite among holidaymakers. The music reflected the times – from funk and soul to new wave and synth-pop – with styles evolving across the decade.
For many, it wasn’t just about the music – it was about the people. Cobwebs was where friendships formed, romances sparked, and long summers ended with dancing into the early hours.
But like many of the Island’s nightclubs, it couldn’t withstand the tide of change. Tighter licensing laws, shifting habits and economic pressures saw footfall dwindle. By the early 1990s, the music had stopped. The building was eventually demolished, and today, only modern homes line the clifftop.
Walk along Northcliffe Gardens now and it’s hard to picture what once stood there. But for those who were part of that scene – whether it was Eastcliff or Cobwebs – the memories remain vivid.
The story of this Shanklin venue is just one chapter in the Isle of Wight’s nightclub history. These places weren’t just rooms with dancefloors – they were where people met, celebrated, and grew up.
Did you dance at Eastcliff or Cobwebs? Share your memories – we’d love to hear your stories of Shanklin’s clifftop club scene. If you have any photos of the club, the building, or nights out there, we’d love to see them too.
Those were the good old days, where did it all go wrong!
Great story, the island lives and survives on it’s past.
Nothing much to celebrate thesedays on the island, so many businesses are closing down.
The 60s 70s and 80s were the good times.
What was the name of the chalet style pub or club on Keats Green in the late 1960’s?
It’s on the tip of my tounge, just cannot
remember.
You can’t even spell it
Ran by my then father in law Dave Radcliffe .I worked on the Door, behind the bar & also at Coconut Grove in Ventnor