Bunker 13 is 'The Place' to be again for Stoke-on-Trent rock music fans
MUSIC is returning to a legendary city centre nightspot after the venue was taken on by a team of rock fans.
A £25,000 refurbishment programme is currently being carried out at what was formerly The Place nightclub in Bryan Street, to transform the building into a specialist rock and metal venue.
Bunker 13 will open its doors this month with the team behind the new club promising to plug a gap in the market for alternative music lovers.
And rock fans have already shown their dedication to the venue by pitching in to help with the refurbishment programme.
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The club's three managers – Asha Tank, Wolf Sharman and Pete Clarke – took on the nightspot after running various rock nights.
Asha, aged 31, of Stoke, said: "For the last six years, we have put on Devil's Night at Jumpin' Jaks and we just decided it would be nice to have somewhere of our own.
"We usually get between 300 and 500 people coming along to that night, which shows there is a market for it.
"There hasn't been a dedicated rock club in the area since Chicos closed down."
Pete, aged 29, of Stoke, who is known as 'Beard', said: "I started DJ-ing about nine years ago and then worked with Wolf and Asha on what they were doing.
"We have always had a loyal and dedicated crowd and this will be a place for them to come to."
The new 500 capacity venue – which will employ six members of staff – will open from 10pm until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. It will also open 9pm until 2am on a Monday night. Thursday will be a members night.
The team – who will run the club as a freehold – say they have been keen to create an 'apocalyptic' theme in the club with black walls and graffiti.
Wolf, aged 40, of Stoke, who has previously run Brunswick Street bar The Stage Door, said: "We want to provide a hub for the rock scene. People want an intimate venue and those in the rock scene want something that they can count as theirs."
The Place closed permanently in late 2005 after several re-launches failed.
Since the closure, the former Rosie O'Brien's Pumphouse has been turned into gay nightspot The Factory.
A further part of The Place has been turned into the swingers' club Adventures. The new rock club will sit in between the two venues, with plans to expand in the New Year.
Asha, who runs alternative modelling agency Dark Hearts, said: "There is a lot of space and we can open another room to perhaps host live music."
Bunker 13 will open on Saturday, November 17. The team will also continue to run Devil's Night once a month at Jumpin' Jaks.
Comments
by anon1200
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 11:59PM
“merlin316 - Based on the comments you've made, I'd be inclined to believe that you're employed by the Rigger. It's a shameless attempt at jumping on the publicity bandwagon of Bunker 13 regardless of if you are or not. These guys have pulled together and opened up an excellent venue for everyone to frequent and I wish them all the best with this venture.”
by LukeD
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 10:50AM
“Ahhh, "world famous" go-go juice... that The Rigger did not invent? It's readily available at many venues around the country - not exactly a selling point!!
Doubt anyone is forgetting the Rigger, but it's a pub - not a nightclub.”
by merlin316
Sunday, November 11 2012, 8:30PM
“is everybody forgetting "THE RIGGER" which is a highly established rock venue in stoke.It's been a venue since the 60's and a rock venue in particular for around 12 years.They always promote locally talented bands which they have playing there every week,the dj always play a wide range of tunes,anything from classic old skool rock,metal and alternative and come on guys how can we forget about the world famous "GO GO JUICE". the staff are always friendly and the owner dud and his wife jo are a fabulous couple who are always at the forefront of the venue, so personally i think we have already a perfect rock venue in stoke which we all should carry on too support!!!”
by warren-lloyd
Thursday, November 08 2012, 10:37AM
“Wolf Sharman, now that's a good rock name.”
by Johntoe
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 12:23PM
“Good luck to all involved hope it goes well,
Hanley/Stoke hasn't had a decent Rock venue since the days of the 'Gaiety, the star, and the Black Horse.”
by warren-lloyd
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 12:14PM
“It' ll be the Wagon and Horses all over again, and about time to. Be nice yo gt a bit of Punk and Alternative Rock in as well.”
by Potteries Vehicle Recycling
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 11:55AM
“Never said there would be a problem, just that it conjures up comical images, although I suppose they could all be dressed in tight leather, so some drunk rocker could end up waltzing with a Bruce Grobellar lookalike, and some swinger could end up head banging rather than lonely housewife 'canoodling' lol
As one who misses the highwayman and all its splendor, I shall look forward to attending, although I shall keep me wits about me!!!
Best of luck with it fellas.”
by Havark
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 11:38AM
“Sounds good. personally think you should get rid of the "Rock and Metal Club" part of the name and actually have a venue where all different bands and DJ's can put on nights.”
by warren-lloyd
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 10:13AM
“Gays,sorry, still won't be any problems.”
by warren-lloyd
Wednesday, November 07 2012, 10:12AM
“As for swingers, guys and rockers together, I have no worries with that, you will get more problems outside that dive called Manhattan's with the p**s up Chavs.”