Dublin’s longest running club night - On the Floor since '94 with Music with Words for your Dancing Pleasure.

August 08 sees the launch of our 3rd Dublin residency as we take over the salubrious surrounds of THE SUGAR CLUB for a weekly FRIDAY night jaunt with our 80’s coloured bag.

"It’s still number one, it's still Strictly Handbag" wrote Brian Boyd in The Ticket Magazine, The Irish Times : and why – it’s pretty simple – it’s all down to our 80’s based music policy – we play music from and inspired by the 80’s. Perfect, stylish pop songs made for dancing.

As our 14th birthday approaches we’re delighted to give Fridays in Dublin a true alternative to Hip Djs and dodgey Nite-clubs. We give you music with words for your dancing pleasure.

Resident DJ’s include Mark Kelly, Rory Montane, Eamonn Barrett, Pete Pamf and Sinead NiMhordia.
Please mind our handbag!

History...

For nearly 14 years Strictly Handbag has been Dublin’s only choice for dancing on a Monday night. Opening quietly in October 1994 in the newly opened U2's Kitchen on East Essex St, Dublin, Ireland - within four weeks, the club was turning away hundreds of people. Uniquely turning Monday night, what was usually the quietest night around town and its music policy was strictly based on playing 80's chart hits. The rest is history.

The success of STRICTLY HANDBAG continues in full swing on Mondays in Ri-Ra on Dame Court and is now on the go Fridays in the city centre’s Sugar Club.

Not afraid to be an individual fish in the sea of ‘cooler’ clubs each Strictly Handbag has hundreds of people religiously turning up to dance to perfect, stylish pop songs made for dancing. To some, this is music they grew up too, to others, music they have only recently discovered, either way Strictly Handbag's policy of mixing the finest 80's tunes with some recent releases ensures a packed dance floor from 11:30 each and every week.

"The night is blessed with the sort of celebrity endorsement that money just can't buy. Past highlights include Radiohead hitting the dance floor, Dennis Hopper being seduced by Dandelion's play list and a visit by Neil Sedaka, complete with his leather-clad minder." The Guardian November ' 07.

Hitting it’s teens in 2007 Handbag had 3 day weekender to celebrate its 13th Birthday In 3 different venues across Dublin city we had exclusive DJ sets from Mr. Kevin Rowland from Dexy's Midnight Runners in the all new Whelan's venue and the Irish Debut of Mr. Will Sergeant from Echo & the Bunnymen in RiRa. On New Years Eve we had an excellent sell out show with some of our most desired DJs - The Karminsky Experience Inc.

Over the past 14 years Strictly Handbag has had over 310,000 people through its doors, it is the longest running club night in Dublin and the second longest running one in the country. It has been awarded accolades by the press including 'Dublin's best club' by The Irish Times and the 'most fun night out' by The Indo and has been positively reviewed by a selection of other titles, which are listed below. It has won awards for it's innovative flyers from ICAD [the Institute of Creative Advertising and Design] and is a regular hang out for Dublin's top music people, DJ's and producers and general muso types who like the buzz and feel of the night.

Part of what has made the club so special, and last so long, is undoubtedly the name and the marketing. The name in itself says something special to people and is widely recognised. It has become part of the public psyche to the extent that many people now associate the word Handbag with 80's music. Also the fantastic design work of Brian Nolan at Detail has ensured that all merchandise has become very collectable.

Handbag crosses all boundries and ages and has survived thru 14 years because it simply is a club for all people who like to have a bit of fun.

Check out the pics here from Special guest shows and birthday parties!

1. Blue Monday - New Order
2. Rock The Casbah - The Clash
3. She Bangs the Drum - Stone Roses
4. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
5. Into The Groove - Madonna
6. Town Called Malice - The Jam
7. Oh Gino - Dexy's Midnight Runners
8. Michael Caine - Madness
9. Turning Japenese - The Vapours
10. Kids in America - Kim Wilde