Kelowna’s oldest nightclub is closing for good this weekend.
After 27 years of dancing, live music, parties and shows, Flashbacks Nightclub has announced that it will shut down after one last party this weekend.
“With a humble heart and gratitude the Flashbacks team has decided that this weekend will be our last time opening the doors before shutting them for good,” read a statement on Flashbacks’ Facebook page.
“We chose to close not for any specific reason, but a combination of factors. The management team has decided that it would be best to leave on a high note, on our own terms.”
Known as a place for the “older” crowd, Flashbacks has been a bastion of Kelowna nightlife for nearly three decades.
It brought in many live musical acts including early performances from the likes of Lady Gaga as well as bands like Nickelback, Wide Mouth Mason, Default, Theory of a Deadman, Trooper, Kim Mitchell and 54/40.
Ownership was not available for comment before the Kelowna Capital News deadline on Tuesday, but industry observers say nightlife in Kelowna has changed over the past few years as there are more options available to the crowd that used to frequent dance clubs like Flashbacks.
“Overall the bar scene has changed and is changing in downtown Kelowna,” said Steve Stinson, owner of the Train Station Pub and Mission Tap House.
“This is a trend worldwide. In Europe and the States the big nightclub scene is almost on the way out.
“Restaurants are turning more into social places. Restaurants are more like pubs and pubs are more like restaurants and I think they are taking a bite of out of the nightclub business.”
Next door to Flashbacks is BNA, a modern style brew pub/restaurant that appeared to be a good fit operating beside the nightclub.
“That’s what we thought when we opened, that people would go back and forth,” said Kyle Nixon, BNA owner. “We loved the relationship with Flashbacks because of that flow, having more neighbours and we thought it was a good fit.
”It sucks because you want to see everyone flourish and stay open.”
Reaction to Flashbacks’ closing was swift on the company’s Facebook page with many residents recalling the good old days of tearing up a dance floor or seeing a good concert.
“Talk about the end of an era. Hard to believe after so many years,” wrote Jacqueline Potter.
“Many fun times there! Sad to see it go,” echoed Lorenda Thompson.
There is one last weekend to say goodbye to Flashbacks. Friday will feature a final show by rapper Chingy, while Saturday night will be Flashbacks’ official goodbye party.