Bacchus is quite possibly one of Scarborough's oldest nightclubs, and one of the only few to still survive. After 11 o' clock, follow down the dark alleyway on Ramshill Road, knock on the door and - if you're lucky - Sue, the lovely, yet formidable door lady will let you in. Ascend the victorian-style spiral staircase with care (especially if you're wearing high heels - you may get stuck) and you'll find yourself facing the bar and a good selection of beverages from ciders and lagers, to spirits (£3.30 for a double with mixer), shots, and bottles. 
The walls are adorned with eerie-looking African voodoo masks that appear to, like the staircase, have been say there since the dawn of time. Sitting areas are dotted around the dance floor, with toilets down a corridor past the bar, and a DJ booth at the other end of the small room. Strobe lights beam down from the corners of the ceiling, creating bright streams of neon streaking through the otherwise dimly lit space.
This place is more than a little eccentric, and certainly the decor hasn't changed much over the last 30+ years aside from a new carpet - so why does it seem to attract new people every year? Go in on a weekend and oftentimes you’ll struggle to even get to the bar for a drink. Thankfully the staff are very friendly and accommodating (promising you stay on their good side), and will let you put your belongings behind the upstairs bar for safe keeping, or sit upstairs to avoid the crowds if you get nervous - though with Bacchus, the main purpose is to dance.
The music works around an “anything goes” policy - approach the DJ and you are welcome to request any song you feel like moving to, although the queues can get long on busy nights. The club was once considered to be Scarborough’s “Gay Bar,” - but really, its just welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender, age, or sexual preference. Personally, this is why I like Bacchus - you can get up, dance to the music you like, get 3 drinks for under a tenner, and avoid the hordes of people across St Thomas street. As Bacchus can’t fit many more than 50 people at one time, you can guarantee even when its busy, and avoid the hordes of people across St Thomas street. As Bacchus can’t fit many more than 50 people at one time, you can guarantee even when its busy, its not as bad as town, and Sue keeps everyone on a tight leash - cause trouble, and you’re out, simple. And of course it’s free to get in, a rarity these days, another key reason why it seems to have survived over the years despite its slightly out-of-the way location.
The music works around an “anything goes” policy - approach the DJ and you are welcome to request any song you feel like moving to, although the queues can get long on busy nights. The club was once considered to be Scarborough’s “Gay Bar,” - but really, its just welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender, age, or sexual preference. Personally, this is why I like Bacchus - you can get up, dance to the music you like, get 3 drinks for under a tenner, and avoid the hordes of people across St Thomas street. As Bacchus can’t fit many more than 50 people at one time, you can guarantee even when its busy, and avoid the hordes of people across St Thomas street. As Bacchus can’t fit many more than 50 people at one time, you can guarantee even when its busy, its not as bad as town, and Sue keeps everyone on a tight leash - cause trouble, and you’re out, simple. And of course it’s free to get in, a rarity these days, another key reason why it seems to have survived over the years despite its slightly out-of-the way location.
Generally, Bacchus is open 6 days a week: Monday to Sunday, from 11-2am everyday other than Fridays and Saturdays when it stays open until 3am. Check out the map below if you're not sure where it is - hope to see you there!
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