It was the hippest place to go and those of us of a certain age will remember our nights out on the Tuxedo Princess.
A floating nightclub with a revolving dance floor was pretty unique in the 1980s.
Berthed on the Gateshead side of the Tyne and Geordies loved it.
It was the brainchild of businessman Michael Quadrini who ran Newcastle’s trendiest nightspot, Tuxedo Junction.
And, in its heyday, attracted thousands - even some famous faces too.
The Tuxedo Princess was later replaced by the Tuxedo Royale before coming back to serve its loyal party-goers.
The Royale had moved to Teesside back in 2000 - and closed around 2006.
As for the Princess, in December, 2007 a farewell party was held for 300 invited guests after owners Absolute Leisure decided the venue had reached the end of its nightclub voyage and it headed to the breaker’s yard in Greece.
Although our floating nightspots have long gone - we hold fond memories of the fun-filled nights we had there.
ChronicleLive has compiled a list of things you would only know if you had a night out on The Boat.
From entering via the gangplank to falling down the steep stairs, we’ve racked our brains to come up with some memories. But if you know of any others, please let us know in the comments.
1. Revolving Dance floor
Dancing to George Benson on the revolving dance floor was pretty special. No other nightclub had one. Don’t know if it would meet health and safety regulations these days. It could get a little dangerous once you’d had a few too many to drink.
2. What we wore
Big hair and padded shoulders were all the rage. And how long did we take to decided what to wear? It was THE place to go, so we had to be the best dressed.
3. Gangplank
Walking up the gangplank meant you had waited long enough in the queue and managed to get past the scrutinising eyes of the bouncers.
4. Strict dress code
The doormen were strict. Smart dress and no jeans. Deck shoes were the rage back then but you weren’t allowed on board wearing a pair. A definite no, no.
5. Cocktails galore
Blue lagoons and piña coladas were in fashion. You thought you were the bees knees to be seen with a fancy glass, topped with straw, umbrella and glacé cherry.
6. Those stairs
They were lethal to say the least. You were on a boat after all and the steps that took you from deck to deck seemed even steeper when you were drunk.
7. Turning 18
Despite illegally drinking there for a couple of years, every 18 year old who thought they were cool had their birthday party on the Tuxedo Princess.
They must have made a fortune from the students at Newcastle College!
8. The ‘Boat’
When you were a regular you never called it by its proper name. The floating nightclub was known locally as ‘The Boat’.
9. Conning the bouncers
We all did it. At 16 we slapped on our make-up to look older. Conning the doormen to believe we were 18 or over got us giggling.
10. The chat up
Thousands of us met our boyfriends/girlfriends there who later became our husbands and wives. And the deal was sealed when you were asked to knock out some shapes on the revolving dance floor - before getting a snog at the end of the night.
11. Taxi nightmare
Back then kicking out time was 2am and everyone left en masse. In the rain you would wait in the taxi rank for your trip home. Feeling worse for wear - it was the worst bit of the night.
12. High heels
Getting your stiletto heel stuck in the revolving dance floor was always a bit of a problem.
13. Sickly shenanigans
Don’t know if it was the motion of the boat, sheer amount of alcohol consumed - or a combination of both but throwing up was part of the night.
14. Spotting a super star
Revellers included Kevin Keegan, Gazza and a succession of Newcastle United stars, as well as the cast from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, went on board. Denise Welch, met future husband Tim Healy there, while a young Cheryl Tweedy worked there before hitting the big time.
Other punters included Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Rick Astley, Nik Kershaw, Noel Edmonds, Freddie Starr, Ian Botham, Kevin Costner, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, to name a few.
15. Going somewhere quieter
It was the age of disco when songs belted out across the dance floor. But if you wanted to chat in a quieter area, you could go on deck or drink in the Piano Bar.
16. Prawn cocktail
This was the place to go if you wanted to go for a special meal. It was the era of the prawn cocktail and we all ordered one.
17. Water antics
Although it was strictly forbidden to jump into the water from the boat, you occasionally got a drunken idiot who did it. They were the talk of the Toon and also appeared in the Chronicle.
18. Ahoy there
Staff dressed in sailor outfits - very smart.
19. Hangovers
It seemed like a good idea at the time to drink so much on a Friday and Saturday night. But the hangover you nursed on a Sunday morning told a different story. But all great memories.
