My Brighton and Hove | Places | Entertainment | Sherry's Dance Hall

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Sherry's Dance Hall

Trick Cyclist

Photo from a private collection

A potted history

By Trevor Chepstow

This photograph shows the famous Australian trick cyclist Banner Forbut performing outside the Ritz Roller Rink in West Street, Brighton. Banner Forbut was appearing as a speciality act at the Sports Stadium ice rink in Tom Arnold's 1953 "Ice Circus". The policeman directing him is wearing the traditional white helmet that the Brighton police force wore every summer.

Built in 1867
The Ritz Roller Rink in the background started life as the West Street Concert Hall and was built in 1867 for a Mr William Child, with a white stucco facade four-stories high and designed in the Italianate style, similar to the Grand and Norfolk Hotels nearby.

In 1872 the building was hired by the British Geographical section, at which the explorer and missionary H. M. Stanley, who found Dr Livingstone in Africa, read a paper on his discoveries in Northern Tanganyika.

Fire in 1882
A disastrous fire seriously damaged the hall in 1882. It was later to reopen as an ice skating rink in 1892. Seventeen years later the hall took the legendary name of "Sherry's", beginning its long career as a Brighton's premier "Palais De Dance" venue. The height of its popularity came during the Second World War when service men would make a bee line for the venue, making "Sherry's" the Mecca of dancing on the south coast.

Dancing in the 40s and 50s
The atmosphere at the dance hall on any Saturday evening during the 40's and 50's was heightened for many of its patrons by its associations with Brighton's underworld of crime and gangsterism. The whole Brighton underworld scene was to be eventually immortalised by Graham Greene in his novel "Brighton Rock" of which "Sherry's" certainly played an active part!

Ritz Roller Rink
The building eventually became a roller rink (Ritz Roller Rink) in the mid fifties and remained so for many years, finally turning full circle, the venue is now a night club and dance venue once again!

Added at the Brighton and Hove History Centre on 21-10-03

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments about this page

I have a farthing set in a surrounding with Sherry dance hall saying 'Keep me and you will never be broke.' Is it worth anything?

By ronald weeb (02/05/2008)

My father, Johnny Ceaplen, had a band which played at the Ritz Roller rink when it was a dance hall. He also played at many pubs and dance halls around Brighton.

By Maxine Niner (08/12/2008)

My nan and grandad met in Sherrys when my grandad was posted here in the war, they have been married for 63 years now. My grandad is in his 90's my nan late 80's. I would love to know what it is now.

By Sarah Wall (21/06/2009)

I was a regular at the Ritz roller rink in the fifties, I helped to run the speed club on saturdays between skating sessions, played roller football and roller hockey. Met my wife Lorna there in 1957; unfortunately I lost her in 2004.

By Dave strong (26/01/2011)

I went to the Ritz roller rink on many occasions and would love to get in contact with people who used to go there. I met my wife Mary there and we are still happily married. If you recognise my name or used to go around the fifties email danielle--anderson@hotmail.co.uk and get in contact.

By David Anderson (05/03/2011)

Me and my mates used to love going to the roller rink. It was great fun.

By Alan Read (30/05/2011)

Great great aunts of mine, Gwen Rogers' Romany Players played at Sherry's, I believe in the 1920s and/or 1930s. Is there any record or memory from anyone regarding their appearances, possible pictures etc.

By John Rogers (05/12/2011)

Re the Romany Players. Anyone with info, in addition to using this site, please feel free to e-mail me: jacko2010@hotmail.com John Rogers

By John Rogers (06/12/2011)

In the mid-to-late 70s, Sherry's was my 2nd favourite place....after the Goldstone! Happy days.

By Ken Valder (08/12/2011)

Sherry's brings back many memories of the 70s and early 80s; I remember the go-go dancers and their platform soled thigh high boots and DJ Kenny Lyn spinning the discs. The evening used to be punctuated with a live band usually playing covers of classic pop songs which nobody danced to. The Sherry's dress code was collar and tie and trousers and shoes. One night a friend without a tie took off his sock, tied a large knot in it and hung it over his collar, the doorman didn’t even notice and he was allowed entry. The food was served in a plastic basket and eaten with plastic cutlery; the meal consisted of a few chips with questionable sausages and burgers. The entrance used to be at the rear on Middle Street, in the 70s the queue used to reach up to The Spotted Dog pub. During the evening when you weren’t dancing, groups of friends used to walk along the balcony around the dance floor, then down the grand staircase and then pass in front of the long bar. Sherry's being quite a big disco; the walk round needed to be done so you could see if there was anybody you might know or quite liked the look of. My group of friends have many fond memories of Sherry's in our teens and early 20s, probably because things were much simpler and carefree in those times. No mortgage and living at home with the parents meant we could go out 4 or 5 times a week to socialize and enjoy ourselves with friends; you would need the equivalent of a mortgage to do that nowadays. Thinking about it; that’s just for the right clothes, phone and watch without even buying a drink at the bar!

By Michael Brittain (10/12/2011)

I also used to frequent Sherrys, it had a fantastic atmostphere and used to get absolutely packed. I saw the Bay City Rollers perform there, I also remember the baskets of food. Sometimes we would go from there onto the Top Rank Suite, another great venue with the resident band and DJ. Oh what happy days they were, and oh if only we could turn back time :)

By Marion Bell nee Long (01/04/2012)