The Westgarth Social Club on Southfield Road in Middlesbrough was built in 1911. This year they are celebrating their centenary. Now if you walk past this club you probably wouldn’t think it was any different to any other working mens club. But it most certainly is. Taking its lead from such places as The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds it is re-inventing itself as a top music venue and place to be seen. Steward Steve Callaghan, with the help of his daughter Siobhan and abley assisted by Aaron Gray, have transformed this place hoping to ensure it is still with us when it reaches 200 years of age. Recent refurbishment of the down stairs bar has allowed it to now have two areas for live music. The main room upstairs holding upwards of 180 and a new intimate bar/live area down stairs holding 100. There is a wide selection of beers, all at cheap prices, great bar staff, snooker tables and food. It has also become home to The Kids Are Solid Gold who have brought The Vaccines, Fanfarlo, Erland & the Carnival, Stornoway, Race Horses, Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers and Lauren Pritchard to this wonderful venue. It has also played host to a wealth of local talent. Including the marvellous Cattle & Cane who launch their debut EP at the venue on Friday the 1st of April.

If you look to the right of this article you will see that the Westgarth has become the first venue to be included in our “Whats On where?” section. A permanent link is in place so with just one click you can see their brand new web site. Have a look , catch some of their history and see the wonderful things that they have lined up in the next few months; Young Rebel Set, The Crookes, The Coopra Rights, Polly & the Billets Doux and tribute band The Southmartins. So, if you are in Middlesbrough and you find yourself on Southfield Road ignore all those trendy bars and head to the new place to be; The Westgarth Social Club.

By peter on March 9, 2011