20-05-2025
Were you in the Dundee 'smart set' who partied at Rick's Disco in the 80s?
Rick's Disco was the library-turned-nightclub modelled on glitzy London nightspots which opened in May 1983.
Heartbreakers and dancefloor demons lucky enough to have experienced its magic in the 1980s will remember its unmistakable décor and pink and red colour scheme.
Rick's Disco soon became recognised across the city and beyond.
Rick's opened in an elegant former library building at Blackscroft.
St Roque's Reading Rooms were unveiled in 1910 as a place for quiet study after being designed by city architect James Thomson and inspired by a French pavilion.
The B-listed structure was designed for the reading of magazines and newspapers.
Membership started to decline after the Second World War and it was latterly used for storage before beginning to fall into disrepair in the 1970s and early 1980s.
The enterprise of two businessmen ensured the building was saved in 1982 with the former library being turned into a nightclub over a period of eight months.
The transformation cost £200,000.
The owners wanted to attract 'top end of the market clientele'.
An Evening Telegraph advertising feature published in 1983 suggested Rick's Disco would have no difficulty in establishing itself at the forefront of local night spots.
It read: 'The new role of the library is that of an exclusive cross between a nightclub and a discotheque, called Rick's.
'The brains behind the venture are managing director Mr Richard Robinson and company secretary Iain MacDonald who make up Blackscroft Entertainments Ltd.
'They envisage Rick's as an upmarket night spot, and the sumptuous décor should ensure that they attract top end of the market clientele.
'As the building is listed, they have ensured that it and the garden have been restored to their original glory with the real changes being kept for the interior.
Local tradesmen were used where possible.
The style was neo-classical with the dominant colours being red and pinks.
The Tele said: 'Chrome and mirrored material have been used throughout but perhaps the main feature is the marble effect fittings.
'The tables are made of this as are pillars which flank the dance floor.
'The twin bars which are illuminated from behind are also of the streaked marble effect. Italian-style light fittings and metallic wallpaper are also featured.'
The advertising feature said £23,000 had been spent on the sound and lighting equipment 'which must surely be amongst the most advanced anywhere in the area'.
So extensive was the array of controls for the lighting and smoke machine the DJ needed an assistant to work them while he was spinning the vinyl.
Songs from Spandau Ballet, Wham!, Human League, Hot Chocolate, Tears for Fears and Yahoo would all have been blasting out on the dancefloor in May 1983.
Richard Robinson said there was an opening in Dundee for a 'top class night spot'.
'We will be looking for over 21s, the sort of people who want to enjoy the most modern and best discotheque facilities,' he said.
He said Rick's was on a par with similar establishments in London and would be ideal for people 'who have guests up from London who have to be entertained'.
Although capacity was 170 the owners did not intend to let it get to 'shoulder to shoulder' as that would 'not be in keeping with the image of the establishment'.
Patrons would not be expected to wear collar and tie but denims were banned.
Mr Robinson said customers should feel at home in Rick's 'whether they are wearing casual clothes or an evening suit'.
The staff of 20 were smartly but not formally dressed in a 'uniform' of black skirt or trousers with a grey collarless shirt which featured the Rick's logo.
Snacks were available.
Rick's opened from 8pm-2am.
Admission was £1 or £2 on Wednesday. Thursday and Sunday.
Friday and Saturday was £1.50 before 10pm and £2.50 after 10pm.
The twin bars were fully stocked with a complete range of beers and spirits.
Drink prices were 'comparable to other establishments in town'.
The Tele said Rick's Disco was 'destined to become the haunt of the smart set'.
'The rejuvenation of the former library has not only saved a building of note, it has brought some life to the Blackscroft area of the city,' it read.
'Rick's and the gardens are to be floodlit at night and should soon become a familiar landmark to people out for a night on the town,' it said.
The Evening Telegraph checked in again in August 1983 to update readers and said Rick's was 'steadily becoming one of Dundee's most popular night spots'.
It said 'stepping through the door is like stepping into another world'.
'With its high quality décor and friendly helpful staff, Rick's attracts a good variety of people looking for an enjoyable night out,' said the Tele.
'It's not a big place, the capacity is about 250, but it has a terrific atmosphere and the people there when we visited certainly seemed to be having a good time.'
Tragedy struck only a year after it opened.
The former library had to be stripped back to a bare, four-wall shell after it was gutted by fire in May 1984 following an electrical fault.
The owners restored the interior of the building, only to have it gutted by fire in 1989.
Two years later it reopened as the Peep o' Day function suite and John O'Groats pub, before closing down again in 1993 after suffering from financial difficulties.
The venue became a clubbing destination on and off from the mid-90s and was latterly the Reading Rooms, which was at the forefront of the underground club scene.
The nightclub started attracting top DJs and music acts crossing genres from electro, dubstep, reggae, funk, soul, techno, drum 'n' bass and beyond.
The most famous act appeared on April 3 2003.
Reggae giant and dub pioneer Lee 'Scratch' Perry performed with the Robotiks backing band including The Mad Professor on the mixing desk on April 3 2003.
He was every bit as eccentric as his reputation implied, and then some.
The crowd was transported back to the sounds of '70s Kingston by Perry and set highlights included Zion's Blood, Inspector Gadget and Come Go With Me.
His 2003 performance reverberated far beyond the banks of the Tay and a blue plaque was erected by the fictional Dundee Department of Counter Culture to commemorate the night the man of much mystery, myth and legend performed live in the city.
Babyshambles, Jake Bugg, Biffy Clyro, Cast, Franz Ferdinand, Wheatus, Afrobeat Orchestra and Fat Freddy's Drop also performed at the Reading Rooms.
The Reading Rooms closed for the final time in 2019.
But memories remain of its days as one of Dundee's best clubs.
