If the concert room was the noisy heart of the social club, the lounge was almost the forgotten room.
It was probably one of the most under-used rooms in many clubs, open only a couple of nights a week. Yet often it was the best decorated room in the whole building.
Imagine arriving at the social club in your smart clothes, perhaps having made a little more effort than usual. You'd have your hair done, your best dress on, or a smart shirt and jacket, and rather than sitting amongst the noise of the bar, you could make your way into the lounge.
The walls could be covered in flock wallpaper, The lighting was softer, the furniture more a comfortable red Drayton,, and the whole room had a quieter atmosphere.
It wasn't necessarily for people who thought they were better than everybody else. Although, if we're being honest, there was probably the odd person who did think they were a little bit above the rest of the club.
It was a place where you could sit with friends and actually have a conversation. You could enjoy a drink without shouting over the band, without somebody chalking up a darts score beside you and, most importantly on a Saturday night, the lounge would become their refuge.without having to listen to the bingo.
Perhaps someone would order a Babycham, complete with its little glass and fizz. Someone else might have a Cherry B, while the person who really wanted to push the boat out could be enjoying a glass of Blue Nun.