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Memories of the sixties: Part I

Almost ‘lived’ there

The Zodiac coffee bar was situated above a shoe shop, possibly Hiltons? It was in the lower end of St James’s Street, near the post office and Lyons tea rooms. I frequented, or rather ‘lived’ in the Zodiac for a period during the period around 1962/1964. It would be fair to say that I spent almost every evening in the Zodiac at some point. If I was not in the Zodiac, then I would be in either the Starlight Rooms or the Florida dance hall at the Aquarium. I was living in Belgrave Place, Kemp Town at the time, and worked at Machinery Publishing Company in West Street.

Thump and flash of the juke box

The Zodiac was a dimly lit intimate coffee bar that was dominated by the juke box, which seemed to thump and flash away constantly. There was also a pinball machine where one would place a two shilling piece on the glass to book your turn. As most people seemed to smoke in those days, the room was hazy and atmospheric. This did not seem to bother anyone, rather it added to the feeling of excitement.

The Zodiac juke box

Frothy coffee anyone?

World of total excitement

When you climbed the stairs and turned the corner at the top, you seemed to enter a world of total excitement. In fact I would say that the feelings generated by that special atmosphere, were almost an addiction. I remember that I always felt excited to be making my way to the Zodiac, and happy and relaxed with social contentment when I was waiting at the bar to order a drink.

Your turn for the pinball machine?

A sixties chick at The Zodiac

Three shillings for a night out

Espresso coffee had a thick foamy head and was served in glass cups and saucers. I seem to remember that a coffee was 9d, which now would be about 4 pence. I was earning about £3 a week at that time as a trainee artist. After giving half to my mother I was left with £1.10s a week to spend. So nearly one shilling for a coffee was a big expense for me. Two or three shillings for a night out included a coffee and entry to the Florida, The Regent or the Starlight Rooms. I usually saved a 3d piece, as this was the cost of the bus home to Kemp Town from the Old Steine. But many nights I walked home having spent it.

Do you remember?

Did you go to The Zodiac? Do you remember that thumping juke-box – what were your favourite records? What about the pinball machine – were you a wizard on that? If you can share your memories of this time, please leave a comment below.

You can read Part II of the Zodiac coffee bar here

Comments about this page

  • I met my first husband at the Zodiac coffee bar over Hiltons. The photos are great to see, Chris, I had never seen it empty, it was always packed – what memories.  My friends and I were hairdressers and we all worked at the same salon, we went during 62/63, I married in 1964.
    It was here I heard my first Beatles song ‘Love Me Do’ on the jukebox. This was my favourite coffee bar but we also went to the Chateau Rouge in West Street, and the Istanbul Western Road (entrance around the back). Tuesday at the Florida Rooms and Thursday record night at the Regent.

    By Jacqueline Thomas (nee Jones) (05/12/2013)
  • I loved the Zodiac. Pam and Brian ran it, if I remember correctly. My friend Beverley and I lived in the place almost. I met my first husband there. Such an atmospheric place.

    By Lesley Glasel (05/08/2018)
  • Pam and Eric?

    By Geoff Stoner (07/08/2018)
  • What wonderfully fond memories I have of the Zodiac coffee bar. 61/ 63 used to meet up with mates 7 nights a week ànd stand just inside the door and chat to the girls on the way in. Met my first wife there. Also used to go to the lounge in North Street and the Riviera great scene in those days. Who remembers the hot pie shop ln Kemp Town or o Hagans hot dogs on the seafront.

    By Graham (26/04/2019)
  • Spent many a night in the Zodiac circa 1962-65. A group of us used to congregate by the cigarette machine near the clothes hangers as you entered the place. Could make a coke and lemon last all night 🙂

    By Tony Wells (03/09/2020)
  • Very happy memories of the Zodiac. I was that first husband. (See les. above). Originally called the ‘Groove’ & run by Pam & Eric. I remember frequent trips to the Star pub, virtually opposite the Zodiac in Manchester St. where a pint cost just over 1 Shilling. That’s 5p in today’s money. No wonder they were happy days.

    By Gordon Coleman (22/12/2020)
  • It was Pam and Eric Gill that had the Zodiac in the early 1960s. My girl friend (now my wife) and I used to go there until Pam and Eric shut up shop for the night and then go with them to the Ten Pin Bowling in Hove. We had more stamina then.

    By Alan Hillman (10/02/2021)

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