by Cyclo2000 » Thu Jun 24, 2004 10:59 am
Caspers was formerly called Rascals and along with Zeigfields across the road (previously Hasties Farm) was for many years the premier nightspot Lanarkshire wise, with the possible exception of the Club De France (now the Viking) in Coatbridge. And no, I'm not making this up.
Caspers was burned out at some time in the early 90s (I think) and has been empty since. Zeigfields was knocked down a few years back. Older folks may remember it better as Hasties Farm cos that was written on the end wall of it in 6 foot high letters for years.
These places were popular cos Hamilton's other nighteries had got a bit shabby by the early-mid 80s. There were then two discos in the town. Circles (latterly Park Lane, formely the 3 Js [Jinky Jimmy Johnsons in fact] and now demolished) and the Accies Social Club (on the site of what is now Hamilton Palace. The Accies was a gas. It was run by Muslims and it wasn't uncommon to see a bloke with a beard like an ironing board looking like a refugee from the Mujahadeen rifling bags and pockets for blades. Circles had been briefly stylish in a coffee creme, purple velour kind of way. It had a cocktail bar and a piano bar, which was unheard of then. For those who are gonna pick me up on this, Cruise (later Rococco and previously George Loyds Motorbike shop) hadn't opened yet.
(PS anyone remember when what is now Hardys Bar in Hamilton was George Loyds Moped World?)
Apart from Rascals (which was more of a pub than a club, really) we all used to go to Sands in Auchingramont Rd., which had a hotel license so could stay open till 12. When that got a bit old, we started to go to Jilts.
Now, Jilts was formerly the Cage and was owned by Skelton. Someone should start a forum just about Skelton's Hamilton pubs, they were bizarre in the true sense of the word and by all accounts so was he.
Me and what nowadays would doubtless be refered to as "my posse" (hereafter known as "the boys") used to hang about in these places, back in the day.
BTW there is a Chinese restaurant in Coatbridge called Bon Appetite!
Makes me smile every time I see it.
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