The Limelight, Crewe

The Limelight Club is the premier live music venue in Crewe, Cheshire, England. With three floors, the Annex Bar and the brand new Music Cafe, the club now boasts a capacity of over 900 - yet it still retains its wonderfully friendly atmosphere. The Club has gone from strength to strength since it's founding, and is now entering it's tenth year under the current owners. From humble beginnings (with mainly tribute bands) the club is now one of the North of England's top venues and frequently hosts acts such as Rick Wakeman, Ian Hunter, The Hamsters and many more.

The building that the Limelight Club is in used to be a Congregational Church. However, the church was purchased and converted at least 20 years ago, originally as a Snooker Club.

The main stage and main music venue is set in the first floor of the church and is an air conditioned 400 capacity concert room with large stage, five tiers of viewing galleries, 10.000 watt in house P.A and lighting rig, giant screen projection TV (for music videos), in-house disco, two bars and direct access to the new Annex Bar.

The second floor contains an air conditioned lounge area, bar area and TV room with giant projection screen. Four pool tables, video games, pinball machine, touch screen internet browser & Email console, cash machine and two bars. There is a rock/pop jukebox and background music at all other times.

The third floor, "Rafters" (which can be hired for private functions) contains a giant screen TV system for live football & music videos. It also contains a small dance floor, an In House disco with dance floor lights, four pool tables, a CD jukebox playing Rock, Metal and Indie. It also contains a karaoke system, video games, an air hockey table plus bar and toilets.

"The Annex Bar" (which is a relatively new addition to the Limelight) contains a large screen projection TV showing live footage of artists. It also contains a bar with extended licensing hours, a jukebox, a darts board and a comfortable seated area. "The Annex Bar" is open to the band room only until the band has finished, it then opens as a general bar and eating area.

The club was featured on BBC's arena programme in 2007, on an episode titled "Into The Limelight". It featured an hour long documentary on BBC2 and it was followed by two full shows from tribute acts at the venue on sister channel, BBC4.

In recent years, The club has also branched out from music and run a Comedy evening too. "Limelight Comedy" has been running since 2003 and has seen the likes of Alan Carr, Jim Jeffries, Rhod Gilbert and Reginald D Hunter.

In early 2007, the club was taken under management and underwent a refurbishment programme. It is now owned by the Paul Cope Group Of Companies.

External links

* [http://www.crewe-limelight.co.uk Website] - 3D tours, gig guides, membership information etc.
* [http://www.limelightcomedy.co.uk Website] - The website for the Limelight Comedy Club.