Brighton's Frock and Jacket holds reunion after 35 years

The Frock and Jacket, in Prince Albert Street, Brighton, was the place to be before heading for a night out at a club – but became a trendy destination itself.

Customers would cram into the bar or head downstairs to the dark basement which was the real place to capture the mood of the era.

Punters in The Frock (Image: Submitted)

In 1988, The Argus ran a piece on Wendy Abbott, who ran the door at The Frock, so we caught up with the former bouncer ahead of the big reunion.

“It was madness but so good, we had such a good time. It was the most amazing period,” said Wendy, 58.

“The music, atmosphere, and people are what made it was it was.

“Our tequila nights were legendary. People jumping out of windows and what have you. Just brilliant fun.”

The Argus’s 1988 story documented how Wendy was believed to be the only female member of door staff in what was then a town.

The Frock seen here on the right (Image: Submitted)

Wendy left The Frock in 1990 to complete a photography degree and later travelled to Spain where she became a rep. She fell in love with the sunshine and never left but is now preparing to move back to Sussex and looking forward to catching up with old friends at the reunion.

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“It’s going to be so interesting to see what everyone’s been up to and to see everyone again after 35 years,” she said.

The Frock continued to enjoy success until 1995, when the owners sold it to the Café Rouge chain.

Today the building is home to Korean barbecue restaurant, Yori.

The Frock's reunion will be held at Block Bar in St James's Street, Brighton, on July 15.