THE NIGHT OWL: NORTHERN SOUL BAR BIRMINGHAM
Northern Soul isn’t just a type of music, it’s a way of life. The records, the dancing, the clothes, the lifelong friends made, no wonder people are still so passionate nearly 50 years since it started.
Richard Priest has been a Northern Soul fan since his teenage years in the 1970s, a regular at infamous all-nighter parties at legendary venues such as Wigan Casino. One night, Richard had a dream that he ran his own Northern Soul and Motown Bar. His wife thought he was crazy but it wasn’t long before he’d drawn out a business plan and partnered up with business investor Arith Liyanage.
The Night Owl will have a sprung wooden dance-floor, making it safer for the acrobatics of the Northern Soul dancers. It will also feature a modern spin on the vintage interiors by Stax Creations, the people behind the quirky interior at Alfie Birds and the fantastic exterior of The Old Crown Beer Garden. The DJ booth will be kitted out with vinyl turntables and CDJs with a camera on Northern Soul nights to show the label of the record that is playing. The venue will be fitted with the highest quality sound equipment and an array of beers, wines and spirits will be on offer.
Every Friday will be a pure Northern Soul night on original vinyl only. Every Saturday will be ‘The Night’ a Mostly Motown & Northern Soul classics party with DJs playing Motown, Soul, Funk, Ska, 60s r & b, and more followed by a late night disco. Thursday nights will be Club A-Go-Go featuring DJ Sean Chapman. Wednesday nights will be Northern Soul dance classes ‘Keepin the Faith’. A wide range of events are planned including all-dayers, under 18’s events, student nights and live music.
This is the venue that soul fans across the UK have been crying out for, opening right here in Birmingham. It gains its name from a classic Northern Soul record ‘The Night Owl’ by Bobby Paris.
The Night Owl is here. Keep The Faith!
The Night Owl, 17-18 Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AG
