WELCOME TO THE NIGHT OWL

The Night Owl is the UK’s finest soul and retro club and bar. 

The Night Owl is the perfect club for any music fan. Taking its name from the Northern Soul song of the same name by Bobby Paris, The Night Owl Birmingham was the first-ever purpose-built Northern Soul and Motown club, opening its doors in 2015 and now, The Night Owl Finsbury Park is set to open its doors this July 2021.

Since its opening, The Night Owl has gone from strength to strength, expanding its music genres to include much loved retro genres spanning decades (as well as record collections!) Soul is and always will be at The Night Owl’s core, but music fans can expect Motown, ska, funk, disco, garage, psychedelia, rock and roll, Britpop, indie, punk and more coming from tribute and live bands and specialist DJs every week, both in the day and night.

MEET THE NIGHT OWLS

Steve Connelly

Resident Dig? and Night Owl brunch DJ.


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Steve Connelly

Resident Dig? and Night Owl brunch DJ.


It’s your thing
Steve enjoys playing a whole host of retro tunes, but mainly 60s and 70s funk that always fills the dance floor. “I tend to play a mixture of both rare and classic tunes for Dig? and even some newer stuff! The Night Owl gives you an opportunity to play some ska, Northern soul and funk all one night.”
Out on the floor
Steve loves playing ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ by Johnny Ross: “It’s my latest vinyl purchase so thats getting regular airing at the moment.”
The Night Owl
“The Night Owl feels like home for the music I love to play. I love the age range of the crowd, generally everyone walks in and starts smiling which is great! The hardworking staff are all ace too.”

Adam Kelly Williams

Graphic designer, guitarist, proponent of noise


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Adam Kelly Williams

Graphic designer, guitarist, proponent of noise


It’s your thing
Adam is a design obsessive with a life-long love of (mostly) guitar music from the ’30s to the present day. Raised on a Beatles-based diet but with a deep love for garage rock, blues, psych, post-punk, indie pop and 90s hip-hop.
Out on the floor
You’ll see Adam appear on the dance floor before the intro to ‘Babies’ by Pulp is over, dancing like “a weird indie scarecrow” – his words, not ours. He’s similarly compelled by Count Five’s ‘Psychotic Reaction’ or Question Mark & Mysterians’ ’96 Tears’.
The Night Owl
“This place feels like home – all of the staff love being there and it shows. We had our wedding reception here so it means such a lot to me. I’ve never had a mediocre night in the Owl”

Michael Bird

Artist, performer and events curator for Neighbourhd


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Michael Bird

Artist, performer and events curator for Neighbourhd


its your thing
Michael’s been on many musical journeys but spending his longest stretches around Stevie Wonder, other Motown records, jazz, more contemporary rhythm & blues and hip hop. He now finds himself entranced by artists who were able to pull from all these different genres and deliver their music in fresh and innovative ways.
Out on the floor
If you find yourself at Neighbourhd, you’ll hear influences, beats and melodies from all these genres of past years. You’ll also find yourself in the heart of the Birmingham music scene as this night attracts the best of Brum’s artists and session players.
The Night Owl
“Seems to have the recipe that inspires community and belonging somehow. The open space, individual and quirky design and lovely staff are essential ingredients!”

Lee Fisher

DJ, producer and Le Freak resident


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Lee Fisher

DJ, producer and Le Freak resident


It’s your thing
Le Freak resident Lee Fisher loves to make and rotate a wide range of boogie, disco, funk and soul. He has worked on productions for funk and disco legends such as Slyvester, BT Express and Level 42 and has enjoyed spinning his sounds in various European, North and South American countries over the years.
Out on the floor
One of Lee’s favourite boogie bombs is Nightlife Unlimited’s ‘Peaches & Prunes’ (Ron Hardy edit), which will be thoughtfully supplemented with various disco, funk and soul treasures.
The Night Owl
“The two ingredients that make Le Freak so special is the combination of great boogie, disco, funk and soul selected by some great DJ’s and an immense amount of fun brought to the party by an incredible crowd. You’ll regularly see 4 generations of groovers getting down on the same floor, which makes the Night Owl such a unique space and experience.”

Sam Redmore

Music producer and resident Night Owl DJ


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Sam Redmore

Music producer and resident Night Owl DJ


It’s your thing

“Growing up, I first really got into listening to music when my older brother bought some decks and started mixing rave music. I would borrow his tape packs and dig into it all from there. As I got older, this developed more into a love of house music. Nowadays I listen to all sorts – disco, soul, funk, latin, afrobeat, house, reggae and more.”

Out on the floor

“Rhyze – ‘Free’ although really there are thousands I could’ve picked!”

The Night Owl

“It’s always such a friendly atmosphere and one of the most mixed crowds I know in Birmingham, with people of all generations hitting the dancefloor.”

Tracey ScreamCheese

DJ of psych, freakbeat, 60s garage and various 60s delights.


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Tracey ScreamCheese

DJ of psych, freakbeat, 60s garage and various 60s delights.


It’s your thing

ScreamCheese hails from from the mod scene of the 1980s. A huge Pretty Things and Rolling Stones fan. Never forgetting her roots, growing up in the Midlands with punks and alternative friends. “I love gigs and watching bands. I have seen hundreds of bands over the years, far too many to mention. The Cramps numerous times, The Sonics, The Ramones and The Pretty Things are memorable. There’s also so many amazing bands around at the moment: The Baron Four, The Jack Cades and The Night Times are so good live.”

Out on the floor

“I love to dance, anything from 60s club soul to The Zombies – ‘Just Out Of Reach’ and The Remains – ‘Don’t Look Back’, finally The Thirteenth Floor Elevators – ‘Levitation’ will finish off the night, just right.”

The Night Owl

“It’s an eclectic place where music lovers just want to dance. I love it when people dance to an obscure track. I can call the staff my friends, they work really hard and are passionate about this great music venue.”

Mark ‘Mack’ MacDonald

Sensateria promoter and DJ


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Mark ‘Mack’ MacDonald

Sensateria promoter and DJ


It’s your thing

Mack loves all things 60s garage and psych, which are the main themes of the legendary Sensateria. However, Mack loves any type of alternative gig, some of the best he’s seen have been Joy Division, Leonard Cohen and The Sonics. You can find Mack listening to 60s psych and garage, post punk and 70s dub.

Out on the floor

“I love MC5 – ‘Looking At You’ and The Deep ‘Coloured Dreams.'”

The Night Owl

“It’s full of cool people all there for the same thing: great music.”

Jo Prinsen

Steppin' Up promoter, historical researcher and soul mod


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Jo Prinsen

Steppin' Up promoter, historical researcher and soul mod


It’s your thing

Jo loves all things Northern, Motown and Latin soul, but is also partial to funk, 60/70s afrobeat and folk rock. “My interest in DJing can be traced back to stacking up those 45s on my record player with a BSR auto changer! Then I went on to DJ in pubs with a few mod mates before putting on a few ‘dos with my late husband. We started Steppin’ Up together in 2012 and I kept it going in his memory.”

Out on the floor

When Jo is behind the decks she loves to play Harold Melvyn and the Blue Notes – ‘Get Out (and Let Me Cry)’ and The Coasters – ‘Love Potion Number Nine’, however “Bobby Womack – ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ and Five Royals ‘Catch That Tear Drop’ are guaranteed to get me on the dance floor.”

The Night Owl

“The Night Owl is one of my favourite places to DJ, with a great mixed crowd. I love that young people are coming and are always up for a dance! The place has a great vibe, the retro decor is fab and all the staff are lovely.”

 

Arith Liyanage

Co-Owner


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Arith Liyanage

Co-Owner


It’s Your Thing

Arith loves all things soul, as well as a business man and a dad, Arith plays the clarinet in his spare time.

Out on the floor
‘Time’ by Edwin Starr is Arith’s go to track to get him on the dance floor!

The Night Owl

“Nice people dancing to great soul music – that’s all you need!”

Thomas ‘T-Bird’ Jones

Resident DJ, drummer for Swampmeat Family Band and hip hop lover


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Thomas ‘T-Bird’ Jones

Resident DJ, drummer for Swampmeat Family Band and hip hop lover


It’s Your Thing

“As a kid my Dad and Mom were music lovers so I was blessed with hearing lots of different styles.. Elvis was a big thing in our house along with Johnny Cash. My Dad was a professional Singer and Drummer so I heard him singing standards of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Chuck Berry and more. I picked up the love of Rock n Roll
through that and then he taught me to drum and from that many moons later Swampmeat was formed!”

Out On The Floor
It’s hard for T-Bird to pick one song, but he loves ‘The Champ’ by The Mohawks, ‘The Harvest’ by Bobby Darin and ‘Bossa Nova Baby’ by Elvis Presley as well as old school hip hop tracks.

The Night Owl
“I love the atmosphere in The Night Owl and the diversity of nights that are on…
from Tarantino to Kate Bush. It’s got it it all!”

Tom Mason

Le Freak resident DJ and disco dad


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Tom Mason

Le Freak resident DJ and disco dad


It’s your thing

Resident DJ Tom Mason grew up in a music loving household with everything from Abba to Frank Zappa on mom and dad’s stereo before discovering funk, hip hop and house as a teenager – “when you realise all your favourite records are just old soul and disco samples that was the game changer for me and it’s been my passion ever since”

Out on the floor

Tom’s record of choice at the moment is ‘Dance Dance Dance’ by Marta Acuna but is always crate digging for the next discovery to play at Le Freak!

The Night Owl

“I Love everything about Le Freak… it’s just the right size and the crowd are always up for it and clued up on a wide variety of music. The Night Owl reminds me of when I first started going out dancing to soul music with a great family vibe full of lovely people.”

Carla E Smith

Sugarfoot Stomp DJ and vintage lover


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Carla E Smith

Sugarfoot Stomp DJ and vintage lover


It’s your thing

Carla is part of Sugarfoot Stomp, a DJ collective who love anything from the 1920s to the 1960s, first introduced to The Night Owl in 2015, Carla has been DJing and dancing here ever since.

Out on the floor

Carla loves playing ‘Tall Skinny Papa’ by Sister Rosetta Tharpe when DJing, but loves dancing to ‘Inspector Norse’ by Todd Terje, “in fact I find it impossible not to!”

The Night Owl

“I like the fact that people want to dance and that it’s full of friendly faces.”

Sonny & Spare

Soul and mod DJ duo Jemma and Steve


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Sonny & Spare

Soul and mod DJ duo Jemma and Steve


It’s your thing

Sonny & Spare live and breathe Northern Soul: “we loved the Big Birmingham Soul Night at Birmingham Town Hall because we love Northern Soul, but Dig? is great as its so eclectic.”

Out on the floor

When they’re not behind the decks, Sonny & Spare’s record of choice is ‘Sweeter Than The Day Before’ by The Valentino’s.

The Night Owl

“We had our engagement party there. All our family and friends came for it…. all of which are now converts. We love the crew at the Night Owl, they have made us feel so welcome. We’ve definitely made some really good mates there.”

Andy Marshall

Resident Dig? DJ and Soulin' creator


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Andy Marshall

Resident Dig? DJ and Soulin' creator


It’s your thing

Andy is a connoisseur of all types of music but soul, mod, ska and anything 60s “rock my world the most.” You can usually catch Andy DJing a mod or soul inspired Dig? Saturday night or at his own event Soulin’, featuring rare soul and funk with live percussion.

Out on the floor

When he’s behind the decks, Andy loves playing ‘I Want You To Be My Baby – Ellie Greenwich’ “this song always gets people up!”

The Night Owl

“I love the people who go, it’s always a good crowd. I love all the people connected who make it happen and make the club as good as it is!”

Mazzy Snape

DJ, promoter, disco referee & soul survivor


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Mazzy Snape

DJ, promoter, disco referee & soul survivor


It’s Your Thing

Mazzy is a soul sister with a penchant for punk, new wave and alternative as well as a passion for all things disco. “My favourite gigs of all time include Iggy & The Stooges, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Sonics, Prince and David Bowie.”

Out on the Floor

Mazzys favourites are ‘Wrap it Up’ Sam & Dave, ‘Love is like an itching in my heart’ The Supremes and ‘Do you wanna funk?’ – Sylvester, ‘Controversy’ Prince, however she “couldn’t possibly pick one, I couldn’t sit still to any of these.”

The Night Owl

The atmosphere here is like nowhere else, everyone in there is a music fan there to dance, socialise and meet like-minded people.

Clare Edwards

General Manager, 60s lover, house boat owner and odd mod


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Clare Edwards

General Manager, 60s lover, house boat owner and odd mod


It’s Your Thing

Clare is the general manager of The Night Owl. She’s the “captain of the ship”, making sure the place is set for a wild weekend!

Out on the floor

Clare loves “any heartbreak soul or stompin’ 60s R&B banger” however a strong contender for her favourite is Billy Davis’ ‘Stanky Get Funky’!

The Night Owl

There’s too many incredible Night Owl events for Clare to choose from, however “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Anniversary Special and A Christmas Gift For You have a special place in my heart.” Why does Clare love our little soul club so much? “The atmosphere. There’s nothing quite like it. A whole lotta love in that room!”

Richard Buckley

Resident DJ and left centre music freak


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Richard Buckley

Resident DJ and left centre music freak


It’s your thing

Richard has eclectic taste but is always searching for a groove. His love for record collecting began in his late teens with soul & funk before falling in love with the dark side of disco…

Out on the floor

Records that never leave Richard’s Night Owl bag are Sammy Gordon And The Hip Huggers – ‘Upstairs On Boston Road’, Ray Barretto – ‘Together’ & disco monster Cerrone – ‘Give me Love’.

The Night Owl

“I’ve had some of my favourite nights out DJing at The Night Owl! The combination of the knowledgeable crowd, great sound system and wooden dance floor is unbeatable. The eclectic music is exciting too, time after time you can go with no chance of it getting stale or predictable!”