This was one heck of a nostalgia trip for myself to write, I can tell you that now.
Having spent some formative years in Nottinghamshire and then attending university in Lincoln, seeing some of the haunts I used to visit close down has left me a little misty eyed as it has done for those in these areas that have lost some beloved watering holes.
From The Falcon Inn transforming from a rock bar to somewhere that serves trebles (for singles) to even spaces in Nottingham such as Revolution, this walk down memory lane regarding 15 venues in the East Midlands hopefully stirs some conversation once again about the dwindling issue the entertainment and hospitality industry are still facing to this day.
Here’s some of our collective picks for venues across the region that were loved, and lost, over the course of time.
9. Beltane
Buxton's Beltane was called "the funktastic spiritual home of all that is cool," but after being reinvented as 53 Degrees North, the venue ultimately shut down in 2022. 53 Degrees North currently lives on at The New Inn on Buxton's Market Place. | Local Exposure
10. Intake
Many a sweaty, action pack filled night took place at Mansfield's Intake during its heyday. The venue previously played host to bands such as While She Sleeps, Hayseed Dixie and Fightstar before closing in 2016. | Intake @ Facebook
11. The Hound Dog
Considered one of Derby's premiere jazz and blues venues, The Hound Dog closed down in July 2024 after a nine-month run which saw trailblazing blues musician Thomas Heppell and critically acclaimed, Mercury Award nominee Jon Coley perform there. | Facebook
12. The Chameleon
After two decades entertaining music fans in Nottingham, including having the likes of Sleaford Mods perform at the venue, The Chameleon closed its doors in March 2024. | The Chameleon on Facebook