South Shields nightclub will become cabaret and karaoke bar

What The Can Can Bar is going to look like once the sign is fitted.

Work is under way to transform the former Vogue nightclub, in Ocean Road, South Shields, into The Can Can Bar.

The cabaret and karaoke bar is set to open its doors in time for the Easter weekend.

Former Vogue nightclub is to be transformed into The Can Can Bar Painter Kenny Dicksons

It is being opened by Lorraine Griffiths, who runs a number of venues in Sunderland, including Ttonic, The Point and Chaplin’s.

She said: “When I took on The Point 18 months ago, part of the deal was that we had to take Roxanne’s and Vogue in South Shields as well.

“I didn’t know or understand South Shields because my other bars are all in Sunderland so I just leased them out to other people.”

She added: “But when the last tenants left Vogue, they had called it Club Wild, I looked at the bar and decided to do something with it myself.

Former Vogue nightclub is to be transformed into The Can Can Bar

“I looked around at the clubs that were already in Shields and thought it was pointless opening another nightclub, especially with Roxanne’s being just downstairs.

“We’re going to open from 7pm to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for now and then once we’re established, we’re going to look at doing midweek ticketed events, like ladies’ nights.”

Lorraine says she’s investing a lot of money in transforming the venue from a nightclub to a cabaret bar.

She said: “I’m hoping it’s going to be something really different. We’re putting in booths and tables around a stage where we’ll have showgirls and cabaret acts and people can get up on the karaoke.

“Our cocktails are going to be buy-one, get-one-free all weekend too, and people can book out booths or areas of the bar with their friends for a good night out.

“I just really hope the bar will get support from people in South Shields. Hopefully it’s something really different that people will be able to enjoy.

“Not everyone wants to go clubbing until 3am, so this is hopefully going to be a place that people can go to before or after something to eat to just have a few drinks and enjoy the karaoke.”

Can Can opens on Good Friday and will be open from 7pm to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.