We've all done it - enjoyed a night of dancing and laughter at an Oxford nightclub.

Now, sadly there are fewer clubs in the city than there used to be as changes in the night-time economy have led to their closure.

(Image: Oxford Mail) But there are still plenty of bars and some clubs where you can get a late-night drink and entertainment.

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For many years the Westgate Centre was a place where you could find a nightclub, and there are many other clubs that have come and gone.

(Image: Oxford Mail) These photos from the Oxford Mail archive will bring back some memories of happy times with friends on the dancefloors.

(Image: Oxford Mail) Park End Club, Lava Ignite, Wahoo, The Coven, Scamps, Boodles, and The Lodge were all once popular nightspots.

Earlier this year we asked on our Facebook page: "What was the first nightclub you went to in Oxford?" and the question prompted hundreds of nostalgic responses.

Stephen Watson said: "Bacchus wine bar, early 80s.. followed by Boodles.. which then became 5th Avenue.

(Image: Oxford Mail) "There were quite a few late night drinking holes back then, Scamps, Old Fire Station, Downtown Manhattans, Park End, Caribbean Club, Coven.

"I even remember buying tickets in some of the pubs that would take you on a coach at about 11pm to a club in High Wycombe or somewhere and bring you back at about 3am. Life was easy back then."

Another comment from Brett said: "5th Avenue, Downtown Manhattan and Park End Club. The Old School, Old Fire Station, the comedy club - too many to remember."

(Image: Oxford Mail) Bonita Glanville-Morris remembered Scamps in the Westgate Centre where she won a dancing competition, dancing to Elton John's Tiny Dancer.

Lynda Burns added: "Do you remember the chap who used to wear the Saturday Night Fever gear?"

It seems slightly odd that a shopping centre was chosen as a good location for a nightclub, but for decades a club there was a popular fixture.

Starting out as Scamps in the early 1970s, it then became Boodles, and then the Studio.

(Image: Oxford Mail) DJs from across the Midlands gathered at Boodles to spin some tunes in March 1983.

The club hosted nine top DJs competing in the regional final of a national contest to find Britain's top nightclub DJ.

Friends at Lava Ignite Club in 2010Friends at Lava Ignite Club in 2010

Each had a 10-minute slot in which to display their skills in front of a panel of judges including the Oxford Mail's Terry Page and Radio Oxford presenter Phil Rapps.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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