The lost nightclubs and bars that made 'Staly Vegas' THE place to party in the Noughties

Back in the Noughties, if you fancied a bit of a mad night on the tiles then the bright lights of one particular Greater Manchester town would have been hard to ignore.

Stalybridge in Tameside earned the nickname 'Staly Vegas'' after a host of nightclubs, late-night bars and takeaways opened up in its traditional shopping area around 20 years ago. It was not an entirely complimentary new moniker as many felt the surge in nightlife tarnished the reputation of the town.

In 2005, the Manchester Evening News reported on fears that the town's booming bar culture was getting out of control. Councillors had demanded action to stop more nightspots opening up saying the town had reached "saturation point".

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Worries were also expressed that "yobs who crave trouble could be enticed by the town centre's bright lights and pubs which are packed every weekend." Some of those fears were realised when several of the high-profile nightspots were marred by violent incidents before they eventually closed.

But for others the transformation of the town provided revellers from all over with new places to bar-hop and enjoy a good night out. However you remember it, we've listed some of the nightclubs and bars that are now lost but were once stallwarts of the 'Staly Vegas' scene.

Of course, this won't be a complete list of Stalybridge's loved and lost drinking-holes, so if you think any others deserve a mention let us know in the comments below.

One of the most popular clubs in Staly Vegas, Rififi and its Amber Lounge bar/restaurant tried hard to be classy with its wood-panelled interior, plush booths and outdoor terrace.

But, fittingly for a