Pictures of nightclubs we have loved and lost in Portsmouth - a celebration of our city's iconic venues

By Steve Deeks

Published 10th Jun 2025, 14:25 BST

Updated 10th Jun 2025, 15:40 BST

Many of Portsmouth’s most beloved nightlife spots are sadly no longer in the city.

From Joanna’s to Ritzy, 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!

Popworld closed its doors at the weekend after being a popular venue for many years. While the King Henry I Street club has now closed there is some good news with it set to reopen as Sugar Shack, understood to be another club.

1. Popworld

Popworld closed its doors at the weekend after being a popular venue for many years. While the King Henry I Street club has now closed there is some good news with it set to reopen as Sugar Shack, understood to be another club. Photo: Google

Lost nightclubs you want back

2. Lost nightclubs you want back

Lost nightclubs you want back Photo: -

This club was in King Henry I from the mid-00s until it was replaced by Popworld in the 2010s. It was a 90s themed and was known for playing classic cheesy tunes from that decade.

3. Babylon

This club was in King Henry I from the mid-00s until it was replaced by Popworld in the 2010s. It was a 90s themed and was known for playing classic cheesy tunes from that decade. Photo: Google Maps

While it may be a Taco Bell now, there is still much love for Martha's and many people want to see it make a comeback to Portsmouth.

4. Martha's

While it may be a Taco Bell now, there is still much love for Martha's and many people want to see it make a comeback to Portsmouth. Photo: Michael Scaddan