ISLE OF WIGHT NIGHTCLUBS: ‘THE BALCONY WAS ONE OF THE BEST’ – MEMORABLE NIGHTS RECALLED IN ‘ENGLAND’S IBIZA’

In the 4th (and last – for now) of our series on iconic Isle of Wight nightclubs, Island Echo examines The Balcony nightclub in Ryde, which had its heyday in the 90s and 00s.

The Balcony – situated above LA Bowl – opened in July 1992 with Dave Berry and The Cruisers as the opening act. It was located in the former Eastern Esplanade Pavilion Theatre, which was constructed in 1926/7 for Ryde Town Council at an estimated cost of £10,000 (£520,000 in today’s values).

The Pavilion Theatre is an ornate cast-iron construction in Chinese style, built by Walter MacFarlane of Glasgow. It used the same moulds and looks exactly the same as the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Rothesay, Isle of Bute in Scotland.

Article continues below this advertisement

In the present century, the nightclub was called ‘The Qube’ at one point – but its license was reviewed in 2011 following significant disorder and criminal damage, after which it was reopened under new management. However, the nightclub finally closed as a regular venue in February 2020. There are now rumours it is set to become a restaurant overlooking The Solent.

Island Echo has spoken with club legend Ian ‘Knocka’ Dore, who DJed at The Balcony during its heyday at the turn of the century. He has recalled some memorable nights at the club, including 9th April 1998:

“We had the late, great Tony De Vit play at Dynamite. He was at the top of the DJing tree and on the circuit, one of the leaders of the scene. “Such was his popularity, we had 1,502 people come to the club that night. From memory, the limit was only a 3rd of that! “Tony sadly passed away 2 months later. For so many reasons, we and those attending that night were so lucky.”

A well-known club regular was nonagenarian Fred Whittingham, who partied well into his golden years. Ian said of Fred:

“He did the circuit across the week. Tuesday was Bogeys, Thursday at the Balcony, Friday at Patsy’s, and Saturday back at the Balcony. He and his wife used to holiday here from up north and after she passed away, he moved down here to live.

Article continues below this advertisement

“Fred got to know all the ‘name’ DJs, and Lisa Pin Up used to make a special effort with him. He got on with everyone, danced with everyone, and no one had a bad word about him.

“In October 2005, he celebrated his 90th Birthday, giving it rizz on the dancefloor with his customary two pints of bitter. For many, an inspiration and – as he declined in his later years – we still spoke on the phone and his love of life continued to resonate, with him often talking fondly of his clubbing days.”

Ian told Island Echo of the famous DJs appearing at The Balcony:

“When Dynamite started in 1998, we tested the water with Mark Luvdup and Seb Fontaine in 1997. At that point, Seb was resident at the Ministry of Sound and a night called Malibu Stacey in London. One of the biggest names out there. “There was potential, but it needed doing properly. After much head-scratching, Dynamite was born.

“For the launch, we had Lisa Lashes and in that first month alone, Alex P, plus Stretch and Vern. From there, it literally exploded. Judge Jules, Lisa Pin Up, Mike Cosford, Jeremy Healy, Brandon Block, Jon OO Fleming, Chad Jackson, Cafe Mambo Tour, The Lovely Helen, John Kelly, Muzik Magazine and many more.

“Regular supporting disc jockeys included DJ Magik, DJ Star, and DJ Merlin, plus a whole host of other Island-based DJs.”

Ian believes the Dynamite event propelled The Balcony into national prominence:

“We had this incredible location with the sun setting over the sea, plus the nucleus of a night to play with.

“It cemented itself very quickly in the media, as it was unheard of on a Thursday night on the London circuit for somewhere to be so busy. So when the magazines visited, they were blown away and got caught up in the ‘England’s Ibiza’ vibe.

“It was hedonistic and exciting without taking itself too seriously.”

Ian says radio and TV shows came off the back of these events.

“It spawned by first Radio Show, the ‘Dynamite Dance Update’ on Isle of Wight Radio. A year down the line, I got picked up by Power FM and slapped together ‘The Powerhouse’, spinning the large ones for a year-and-a-half with them.

“Allan and I appeared on the TV show Clubbervision whilst gigging in London, plus we guested on Alex and Brandon’s Friday night show on Kiss FM.”

After Dynamite, Ian moved on to a new night called Casualty.

“Casualty was a little funkier musically but we still managed to indulge in some bangers. Guests included Lisa Pin Up, Judge Jules, The Shapeshifters and the Freemasons, along with a room full of loons enjoying the tunes. Plus, of course, Fred!”

Ian looks back on his memories of The Balcony with nostalgia:

“I look back on Casualty as being great fun but it was Dynamite that was the real hoofer. Most importantly, it brought others together to dance, laugh, and love. The venue is important, but it’s the people on the floor that matter.

“I was gifted the original mirror ball, and it’s in my studio on my ceiling. That ball has seen a lot over the years; the shards of light projected are a continued reminder of how lucky we all were.

“There is nothing as liberating and enjoyable as being a fully paid-up member of the ‘Night Club’. And The Balcony was one of the best.”