Tuxedo Princess, River Tyne

Michael Quadrini's plans for a floating nightclub on Newcastle's Quayside were knocked back by the council, so he had to moor his former car ferry on the Gateshead side of the river. The Tuxedo Princess opened in 1984 next to the Tyne Bridge, making it synonymous with Newcastle. It was intended to upstage his already lavish Tux nightclub in town, but unfortunately, The Boat lasted a lot longer, long enough, in fact, to see its reputation sink without hope of being salvaged.

There were bars on various decks in which the likes of Mick Hucknall and Jason Donovan wooed the local lasses, and Wor Cheryl pulled the pints. A choppy river could turn the revolving dancefloor into a ride from The Hoppings, and this became one of the main attractions for students in Newcastle once the original clientele grew bored. At some point, it was replaced by another vessel called the Tuxedo Royale, although few people noticed.

After a change of ownership, it was pitched at the 'party' market with cheap admission and cheaper ale, although many of its customers wouldn't have cared if they were on a rowing boat in Leazes Park. The Boat closed and was towed away 2007, and is currently rotting away on the River Tees.