New nightclub to open on Tullow Street in Carlow town

A ONCE-LOVED nightclub on Tullow Street which has been lying unused is about to be brought back to life!

Club 54 will open on the August Bank Holiday weekend, with various kinds of events being staged over the three nights. 

The venue holds a special place in the hearts of many Carlow people and has had several incarnations during its lifetime, including Archie’s El Ruedo lounge in the 1970s and '80s and The Temple in more recent years. The purpose-built venue has hosted such luminaries as U2, when they were starting out, and Babyshambles with supermodel Kate Moss.

Now big names are promised to appear again as owner Bojan Oberckel and his manager Norbert Selmaj intend to take the Carlow entertainment industry by storm!

“We’re aiming big! At least once a month we intend to have a big international act here, whether that’s a DJ or a live performer,” said Norbert, who is a DJ himself. He and Ashley Flynn are the event managers.

“Before, everything was booming in Carlow – it was a great place to go out. We want to put Carlow back on the map,” said Norbert. 

“We have used the very best people in sound, in lighting, in the bar and on security. This will be a place where local people will come and we will be putting on local artists, whether they’re DJs or singers or in bands. I believe that there’s a lot of talent in Carlow.” 

Norbert has plans to open the venue seven nights a week, but initially it will only operate at weekends and on Tuesdays. Eventually it will feature student promotions, Latino and rhythm and blues nights, local and international DJs and live performances. Also in the pipeline is a rooftop area, balconies and a VIP area with table service. They’ve also employed a mixologist, who will create cocktails fit for a big night out!

Club 54 will open on the August Bank Holiday weekend with live performances, top DJs and local artists all performing.

“It’ll be like a mini-festival," said Norbert.