Stage Door, Stowell Street

In 1966 Jimmy Lynn rented a former banana warehouse for seventeen quid a week and opened a club, and for the next four decades he could be found at the door, greeting guests in his tuxedo and bow tie. Jimmy operated a strict door policy: collar and tie were essential, shoes must be shined, and hair parted correctly. Then one night a Rolls Royce pulled up and out stepped David Bowie, and Jimmy decided to turn a blind eye to the kaftan and dangly earrings. Customers rang their mates and the place was soon rammed, and remained so when the dress code was permanently abandoned.

The club was available to hire for private functions and every weekday night was party night, so the Stage Door remained busyenough to weather the 1970s and 1980s recessions which picked off many competitors. Jimmy hung up his tux in 2006, when the Stage Door closed down and reopened after a major refit as the Cosmic Ballroom. After half a century it's still as busy as ever, the city's only continuous link to the Swinging Sixties.