THE BARRACUDA - MARKETGAIT

The location of The Barracuda in the Marketgait was probably the most well known and most visited disco spot in Dundee.

Previously called the J.M, the nightclub was transformed into the Barracuda in 1975 after £1/4 million was spent on it's conversion, and had a new look design that was extremely eye catching.

Both the outside & inside were "sculpted" to resemble cave-like structures.

The interior's theme was based around Jules Verne's submariner adventure "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea"

There were alcoves, recesses, cubbyholes and bay areas all over the place. Lots of stalactites and submarine parts too - riveted girders, periscope, portholes etc.

To go with this tropical underwater look, it also had aquariums containing piranhas!

There was also an upstairs balcony area with a desert island look, a shack, palm trees, totem pole, bamboo and such like.

The Barracuda was then sold to Rank Leisure in April 1980 and £35,000 was spent on their new lighting system.

Boss, Murdo Wallace Jr, went onto be a soul band promoter and the new Barracuda manager was now John Muir.

Barracuda then got another £1/4 million face-lift in January 1984 and re-opened in March '84 as Coconut Grove.

For a glimpse of the Barracuda interior, have a wee nosy at the slideshow below.

Photos by DC Thomson.Tints by GG.