Is the Portland bar/club still open? Mind my pal inviting us in town for a night out and suggested we go to the Portland beforehand for a few swifties.I turned up thinking it was a trendy joint, in the dress of the time(mid eighties) ,jeans tucked into ankle boots,"casual" jumper tucked into jeans,hair nicely positioned with hairspray.
Oooft,what a joint,some right psychos in there.Cheap booze,and the very basic tables and chairs,a hardened drinkers den,felt a bit of a fag and left sharpish.
Another few I mind being in was the TGWU club just off George st somewhere,and the Civil service club just off crown st.Watched a couple of bands in a fine wee bar in the Imperial hotel,Exchange st