Playpen

Paul Rae remembers “Playpen” (yeah, I know the name sucked big time) opened in the autumn of 1983, I know cos I opened it, eight months after I left “Legend” to go to Norway (my Father became ill and I returned to UK). It was owned by The Lennon Leisure Group who owned “Legend” and “The Pier” in Wigan. It was a really smooth club but the manager wanted in to be a slappers disco with tits in the air, get pissed and fall down. I left after a couple of months, I think the stupid manager thought he was sacking me, I said I didn’t do that kinda rubbish music as it lead to fighting etc. so stick your job, I gave him 6 weeks tops before he got the sack, it took 4. hehehe. The club didn’t last too long either. Shame, it could have been a great little club. It used to be the “Zoo”, before that I think it was Samanthas, but it was definitely the same club that had been “Slack Alices” owned by George Best Nerissa Punkess remembers: The original Playpen was on Oxford St near the Palace theatre. It was open during the mid-seventies. It had a sunken dancefloor (popular in the seventies), mirrors and slightly upmarket decor. A small disco/bar aimed at the wannabies.