SO30 opens at Alibi Belfast - formerly the M Club - later this month. And Groovy Train is returning for a one-off reunion!
It can be hard to know where to go out dancing once you’ve left your 20s behind. There are plenty of options for students, but what if you want to cut loose to your favourite tunes from the 80s, 90s and 00s, surrounded by people your own age?
Later this month, a brand-new party series for over-30s in Belfast is set to launch – and it looks ready to shake up the city’s nightlife scene.
SO30, short for Strictly Over-30s, opens at Alibi Belfast on Bradbury Place, the venue formerly known as M Club. Entertainment brand Popaganda is behind the project, introducing a new mix of day parties, themed events and early evening entertainment designed for people who love going out but want something that fits better around real life.
Ahead of its launch, Belfast Live got an early look inside Alibi, which has been completely reimagined. For years, the venue was known for its big nights, but now it’s being transformed for a new era – one where nostalgia, comfort and choice come together on the dancefloor.
SO30 will bring the sounds of the 80s, 90s and 00s to clubbers looking for a different kind of night out. Initially, the events will run from 5pm to 10pm, giving guests the chance to enjoy a full evening of music and still be home before midnight. The bar will remain open late for those who want to keep the party going. Then, from Saturday, November 29, as late-night public transport returns, the venue will open from 10pm until 2am and welcome everyone for an extended night.
Sanjeev Passi, Director of Popaganda, said the idea was born out of changing social habits. “A lot of people still love to socialise, but the way they want to do it has changed. Some want to be on the dancefloor by 6pm and home before midnight, others want to keep the energy going late,” he explained. “From October 25 we’ll run until 10pm for over-30s, and from November 29, when late-night transport begins, we’ll be open into the early hours for everybody. It’s about real choice and building weekends that fit people’s lives.”
The opening night of SO30 takes place on Saturday, October 25, exclusively for the over-30s crowd. A week later, on Friday, October 31, M Club favourite Groovy Train returns for one night only. Throughout November, SO30 will run weekly from 5pm to 10pm, with the bar open late for anyone who wants to stay on.
Saturday, November 29 marks the start of the festive season, with the club opening from 4pm to 2am for group nights out and Christmas celebrations. December brings more themed events, including Mamma Mia: The Christmas Party Experience on Sunday 7 and Friday 12, and the BOX Nightclub Reunion on December 26. There will also be Pop-up Fridays featuring a K-POP Club Night and the Taylor x Sabrina Showgirls Club, perfect for a girls’ night out.
Guests can expect nostalgia, big singalongs and throwback anthems all night long – from the 80s, 90s and 00s – along with themed experiences and special events running throughout the season.
