The 5 Essential Secrets Of The Bristol Northern Soul Club: Allnighters, DJs, And The New Generation

The Bristol Northern Soul Club (BNSC) has cemented its status as the beating heart of the UK’s vibrant Northern Soul scene, sparking a powerful resurgence of rare soul music and high-energy dancing in the South West. As of late 2025, the club is not just hosting events; it is spearheading a movement, drawing in a new, younger generation of fans who are embracing the classic sound of the mid-1960s American soul music, complete with the iconic dance styles and all-night intensity. This deep dive uncovers the essential secrets behind the club’s success, the key figures who run it, and the unmissable events that define Bristol's unique soul landscape. The BNSC is celebrated for delivering an authentic, talcum-powder-on-the-floor experience, replicating the legendary all-nighters that originated in the North of England decades ago. This dedication to the original ethos—playing obscure, up-tempo soul records and fostering a community of dedicated dancers—has made it a must-visit destination for soul enthusiasts, from seasoned veterans to curious newcomers. The club’s consistent schedule and high-quality DJ line-ups ensure that the spirit of Northern Soul is alive, well, and constantly evolving in one of the UK’s most musical cities.

Meet the Architects of Bristol's Soul Scene: Levanna McLean and Eve

The success and unique energy of the Bristol Northern Soul Club are intrinsically linked to its co-hosts and founders, two dynamic figures who have become central to the modern Northern Soul movement: Levanna McLean and Eve. They are the driving force behind the BNSC and the associated events brand, Streets of Soul.

Levanna McLean (a.k.a. Northern Soul Girl) Biography & Profile

• Primary Alias: Northern Soul Girl
• Role: Co-host and Resident DJ of the Bristol Northern Soul Club; Co-founder of Streets of Soul
• Claim to Fame: Levanna has been widely recognised as a key face of the Northern Soul movement over the last seven years, bringing the scene to a new audience.
• Style: Known for her high-energy dancing and DJing throughout the night, she has been instrumental in crafting an original Northern Soul Club feel in Bristol.
• Influence: She is credited with helping to launch a whole new scene of young Northern Soul fans in Bristol, seeing immediate engagement from newcomers.

Eve (a.k.a. DJ Jackie Brown) Biography & Profile

• Primary Alias: DJ Jackie Brown
• Role: Co-host and Resident DJ of the Bristol Northern Soul Club; Co-founder of Streets of Soul
• Focus: Works alongside Levanna to promote high-quality Funk and Soul music events across Bristol.
• Contribution: As an essential part of the BNSC, Eve helps curate the diverse DJ line-ups and maintain the club’s reputation for excellent, rare soul music.

Together, Levanna and Eve have diversified the BNSC’s offerings, ensuring different nights cater to various audiences while consistently promoting the core Northern Soul ethos of rare, up-tempo vinyl and non-stop dancing.

The 5 Essential Secrets to Bristol Northern Soul Club's Success

The BNSC has managed to capture the authentic spirit of the 1960s and 70s Northern Soul scene and inject it with a fresh, contemporary energy. This success is built on several key pillars that make their events stand out in Bristol's crowded nightlife.

1. The Allnighter Vibe and Rare Soul Focus

The club’s signature events are its Allnighters, which often run for seven hours of continuous, high-octane dancing. These nights are not just discos; they are endurance tests for dedicated dancers, focused on a mix of Northern Soul classics and, crucially, rare soul tracks. The music policy is strict: obscure vinyl records are the lifeblood, promoting the culture of collecting and rediscovering forgotten gems from American soul labels. This commitment to 'rare soul' ensures the sound is authentic and constantly surprising, avoiding commercial hits and staying true to the scene's roots.

2. Iconic and Central Bristol Venues

The BNSC strategically uses venues that offer the right atmosphere and space for the unique dance style.

• The Trinity Centre: This is the venue for the major, large-scale Allnighter events, including the annual anniversary celebration. It provides a spacious, historic setting that can accommodate a large, energetic crowd and the required sound system.
• The Phoenix: A centrally located pub that hosts the "Northern Soul Central" events, making it easily accessible for a wide audience and catering to a vibrant pub-style club night.
• Zion Community Art Space: Hosts more intimate "Northern Soul Bar Nights," offering a different, relaxed setting for soul enthusiasts.

These varied locations ensure the club’s presence is felt across the city, attracting different demographics from students to long-time soul fans.

3. The New Generation of Dancers

Perhaps the most significant secret to the BNSC’s contemporary relevance is its ability to attract a new, younger scene. The club has successfully introduced the culture—the unique dance moves like shuffling, kicking, and spinning, and the music—to a demographic that may have missed its original heyday. This influx of young fans ensures the scene’s longevity and keeps the energy levels exceptionally high. The club environment is welcoming, encouraging immediate participation from first-time attendees.

4. The Signature Northern Soul Dance Style

The BNSC provides the stage for the distinctive Northern Soul dancing, which is a key part of the experience. The dance floor is often dusted with talcum powder to reduce friction, allowing dancers to perform their complex, acrobatic routines involving spins, drops, and fast footwork—a tradition that dates back to the original clubs like the Wigan Casino. This focus on the dance itself, rather than just listening to the music, creates an immersive and visually spectacular club night.

5. Diverse and Consistent Event Schedule (2025 Updates)

The club’s calendar is packed with fresh, high-profile events, keeping the scene constantly active.

• January 10, 2025: Northern Soul Bar Night at Zion Community Art Space.
• July 18, 2025: Northern Soul Central at The Phoenix, featuring a line-up of seven Northern Soul DJs.
• December 6, 2025: The 4th Year Anniversary Allnighter at The Trinity Centre, a major annual event promising seven hours of non-stop soul.
• December 7, 2025: Northern Soul Sundays, providing a perfect end-of-weekend session with all types of Northern Soul.

This variety—from intimate Sunday sessions to massive Allnighters—cements the BNSC’s position as the dominant force in Bristol’s soul music landscape.

The Enduring Legacy of Northern Soul in Bristol

The Northern Soul movement itself originated in the Midlands and North of England in the mid-1960s, a music and dance phenomenon based on the discovery and devotion to rare, up-tempo American soul records. Although geographically distant from the original epicentres like the Twisted Wheel, Golden Torch, and Wigan Casino, Bristol has embraced the culture wholeheartedly. The BNSC, led by the energetic Levanna McLean and DJ Jackie Brown, has successfully translated this legacy to a modern, South West audience. They are not simply recreating a historical scene; they are actively expanding it. By focusing on the quality of the music and the intensity of the dance, they offer an escape and a powerful sense of community. The club’s events are a testament to the enduring power of rare soul music and the communal joy of the allnighter, solidifying Bristol’s place on the map as a modern hub for the global Northern Soul phenomenon. It’s a scene where the motto "Keep The Faith" is not just a slogan, but a lived experience, one classic soul track at a time.