Havana crowned as top town club
Report by Robecca Keegan and Photographs by Patrick Trollope

THIS year we took our nightlife vote a step further than an internet count, and put vote boxes in most clubs, pubs and bars in Southport town centre.

Along with southportreporter.com, The Champion collected in dozens of full ballot boxes.

The results were re-counted twice as they were very close. We received an amazing 2225 votes altogether.

Havana Nightclub on the promenade got 21.0% of the votes, winning best overall venue 2005.

Maloney's, in the Scarisbrick Hotel, was a close runner up with 19.1%, taking the "Best Atmosphere".

Roberta Lee's Showbar, Nevill Street took 12.5% of the votes and the "Best Live Performance Venue."

Lloyds Bar, on Lord Street, received 11.5% of the votes and their door staff won "best Door Staff Of The Year".

"Best lighting and Sound" went to the Springbok Trekkers on Waverley Street, who took 8.9% of the votes.

The Fox and Goose in Cable Street received the "Best Bar Staff" and 6.8% of the votes. 

The Old Bank came next with 3.4% of the votes, then The Fuzzy Peach with 3.1%, Casablanca took 2.7% and The Victoria Pub got 1.8%.

There were 11 none vote papers, four venues were disqualified after losing vote boxes and there were 16 spoiled voting slips.

The panel spent a day counting the thousands of slips. Most of the town party-goers wanted to have their say in which was the best venue for what reasons.

We took in some strange answers in the catergories, including someone stating that the best atmosphere in Southport is:- "the nearest kebab shop at 2am."

Even one for Best lighting and sound, that said:- "My bedroom at 3am"... we dreaded to think...!

Top 10 = Over All

No. 1. Havana 21.0%
No. 2. Maloney’s 19.1%
No. 3. Roberta Lee’s 12.5%
No. 4. Lloyds 11.5%
No. 5. Springbok Trekkers 8.9%
No. 6. Fox and Goose 6.8%
No. 7. Old Bank 3.4%
No. 8. The Fuzzy Peach 3.1%
No. 9. Pleasureland's Casablanca Bar 2.7%
No. 10. The Victoria Pub 1.8%

% rounded to 1 decimal place

Total votes counted = 2225

Editor of Southport Reporter said:- "Thanks to you the voters and the Champion Newspaper, this years the Night Life Vote 2005 has been another huge success. 

This is the first time we have teamed up with the Champion to carry out our vote and the fist time it has not been cast via the internet. It has proven to be one of the most interesting results we have had and just shows how diverse a nightlife community we have in Southport. 

Votes where cast for over 30 venues in the Town Centre and we could see a lot of thought often when into the casting of the votes. Even when we found empty vote boxes and found that the club or pub still got votes, but in another venue box. This really astonished us. 

Well done and thank you to all the clubs and pubs who participated in the new voting system for making this a success and also housing the vote boxes."

Congratulations to all the bars, clubs and pubs who took part in this years Nightlife Vote.