Flares was a fixture of the city's nightlife in the early 00s - and you could famously get a pint for £1.50! It was replaced first by Babylon and then eventually Popworld. Can you remember nights at Flares?placeholder image
Flares was a fixture of the city's nightlife in the early 00s - and you could famously get a pint for £1.50! It was replaced first by Babylon and then eventually Popworld. Can you remember nights at Flares?

Fun picture memories of Portsmouth nightclubs where you had great nights

By Steve Deeks
Published 28th Jan 2026, 15:35 BST

Portsmouth has boasted some great clubbing venues over the years.

From Joanna’s to Ritzy to Granny’s, plenty of iconic venues have now closed down.

However fortunately our memories of them – and photos captured inside them – live on.

MORE RETRO: This is what a night out in Southsea looked like in the 00s | What a night at Route 66 looked like in the 00s

We decided to celebrate some of the city’s lost nightspots by diving into The News archives.

Have a look through our gallery below and see how many you can remember!

Lost nightclubs you want back

5. Lost nightclubs you want back

Lost nightclubs you want back Photo: -

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This old club used to be in Gunwharf Quays and it was very student friendly, but it was taken over and turned into Grosvenor Casino in 2012.

6. Highlight

This old club used to be in Gunwharf Quays and it was very student friendly, but it was taken over and turned into Grosvenor Casino in 2012. Photo: -

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While The Astoria is now housed in this building, it was one Martine's. One reader wrote: 'Ladies night was free to get in. Long time ago now though'.

7. Martine's

While The Astoria is now housed in this building, it was one Martine's. One reader wrote: 'Ladies night was free to get in. Long time ago now though'. Photo: Ian Hargreaves

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This venue was opposite South Parade Pier but it shut down in 2007. However plenty of our readers would like to see it return.

8. Bar Bluu

This venue was opposite South Parade Pier but it shut down in 2007. However plenty of our readers would like to see it return. Photo: Paul Jacobs

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