Charlie Mac’s Ballroom - London 1960s

[Perkins1820]

Hi all,

I’m looking for any source of information on Charlie Mac’s ballroom that would have been frequented by Irish emigrants in London in the 1960s. In particular some photos of the place would be great - it’s where my parents in law met, would love to dig something up for them.

[maddys52]

This blog mentions Charlie Mack's:
https://tonyconboy.blogspot.com/2009/12/flared-frocks-and-brylcreem.html

"Catholic Charlie Mack's:
My sister Carmel was a great lady for the dances and for a time favoured Charlie Mack's in Victoria or Bayswater. It had a reputation as being a very Catholic establishment with the possibility of having to pass some test to prove your religious ethos, to the supervising 'matriach', to get in. This presented no problem to us at that time! I remember it being close to New Scotland Yard with its rotating geometrical sign and to a street named Strutting Ground!"

May help you locate it, or someone may remember 

Modified to add:
Someone else looking for it too
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070213134332AAd4mpC

[Perkins1820]

Great info! Thank you!

[chempat]

Worth contacting?

https://www.londonirishcentre.org/history-of-lic

[Perkins1820]

Great suggestion - thanks!

[AntonyMMM]

I remember it being close to New Scotland Yard with its rotating geometrical sign and to a street named Strutting Ground!"

Strutton Ground is a small shopping/market street running off Victoria Street opposite where New Scotland Yard stood(until recently).

[Sue Maguire]

Hi everyone

Just read your interesting comments -  hopefully, together we can move this research further!

Charlie Mac's (Westminster Ballroom) was located in the basement of 30 Strutton Ground, Westminster. Friends and I visited it regularly on Saturdays and I meet my future husband there in 1967!

It was always packed, there was a big glitter ball hanging from the ceiling, Charlie hosted the evening and, as you say, Mrs Mac stood at the bottom of the stairs (at the left and the cloakroom was on the right). She made sure that everyone was dressed appropriately, before they could enter the hall!

Music included 1960s Pop, Country and Western and Irish favourites. There were also Old Time Waltzes and The Gay Gordons and it was always a great evening!

Hope this helps a little, but I'm sorry that I haven't any photos.

[jimbo50]

Music included 1960s Pop, Country and Western and Irish favourites. There were also Old Time Waltzes and The Gay Gordons and it was always a great evening!

No Siege of Ennis then ?

[chempat]

Welcome to rootschat, Sue.

Unfortunately Perkins1820 does not appear to have used this site for 3 years, but they may still be receiving notifications of your response.