The Mayfair Ballroom

The Mayfair Ballroom, opened in September 1961, was a ballroom and concert hall situated on Newgate Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. The oblong room was built to hold 1,500 people and had a small stage along one of the longer walls.

The venue hosted Europe's largest and longest-running rock club, spanning four decades. It was also host to a popular rave music event during the early 1990s called the Rezerection. DJs and live PAs including Carl Cox, Joey Beltram, Grooverider, Njoi and The Prodigy played there.

Artists that played the venue, early in their careers, include AC/DC, The Who, Free, Pink Floyd, Queen, the Police, the Prodigy, Black Grape, the Cross, Kylie Minogue, Tin Machine, U2, the Clash, Iron Maiden, Faith No More, Judas Priest, Bodycount and Nirvana among others.

Led Zeppelin's first ever live performance in the United Kingdom was at the Mayfair Ballroom on 4th October 1968. Free's final live performance in the UK took place at the venue on 20th October 1972. At the end of the show, guitarist Paul Kossoff broke the neck of his cherished Les Paul guitar after uncharacteristically throwing it into the air in frustration.

In 1999 the Mayfair was demolished to make way for a leisure complex called The Gate. The closing night was attended by 5,000 people.





Entrance lobby and ticket hall. Entrance was made via a large wide staircase descending from Newgate Street. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.


Lower foyer with kiosk and entrance to main suite, ladies powder room to right out of shot. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Fiesta Food Bar and kitchen upstairs on right handside with balcony overlooking main dance floor. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




The Sapphire bar, smaller suite situated downstairs, accessed via main suite and stair from ticket hall. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Primary bar in main suite downstairs facing the dancefloor. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Mayfair second downstairs bar in main suite, situated at back beside rear stair way facing dancefloor. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Main stage with balcony seating above and dancefloor in front. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Dance floor looking towards second bar with main bar to right and stage to left. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Ladies powder room, accessed from right handside of inner lobby. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




The Crystal Bar, upstairs in main suite on left handside on exit from inner lobby. 22nd November 1961.

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




View of the interior of the Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, March 1963

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Lower foyer with kiosk & entrance to main suite, ladies powder room to right out of shot. March 1963

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.




Shot of the Al Shaw Trio playing at the Mayfair Ballroom. March 1962

Photo courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.





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