In fact one of the main reasons I enjoy it is the diversity of characters. The fashion sense exhibited, for example, tends to follow the trend, the stranger and more retro the better. I’ve picked up many fashion tips myself to help stand out from the crowd, including leopard skin tights and pink leg warmers!

There is nowhere like Ramshackle, or at least in the scale of Ramshackle, in the surrounding area for miles. I come from Redditch which is about twelve miles south of the outskirts of Birmingham, but fork out for the taxi home simply because, for this kind of music, places like Ramshackle are few and far between. Bizarrely, I have met people who have been to Ramshackle regularly from as far away as Oxford. 

Many people travel so far because of the Academy’s usual role as a venue for bands. Many people make a proper night of it by staying on after a gig, especially as the bands often make special appearances. On the Saturday night version of Ramshackle, Subculture, (for the more hardcore, rock, punk-rock and Emo fans), I was fortunate enough to see Funeral For a Friend during the summer, and one of my friends managed to get a photo, an autograph and even a kiss. The bands often meet their fans and throw goodies into the crowd, so it’s well worth staying on.

Massive dance floor

The most important aspect of Ramshackle is the massive dance floor, characteristically sticky and reminiscent of a sports hall converted for a school disco. Luckily trainers are allowed and are, in fact, a must have with the jerky, jumpy dancing that your body is forced into when, for example, the Arctic Monkeys ‘Mardy Bum,’ blasts out of the momentous speakers.

Bouncers circle the dance floor to make sure it doesn’t become too dangerously jumpy and stop anyone drinking on the dance floor, preventing the inevitable alcohol soaked tops. The security is actually very high; everyone is frisked at the doors and carefully checked for I.D, ensuring it is as safe as possible.

There are two large bars in the Academy, but my advice to any one going, is to get their early if you want to be served quickly. Getting served from half eleven onwards is a near impossibility. The drinks are also quite expensive when you take into account the scruffy surroundings and the five pounds already paid on entrance, but not when compared to other clubs in the centre of Birmingham.

The second bar in Ramshackle is up a flight of stairs and has some slightly quieter seating where the music is not as loud. Upstairs and downstairs however, there is hardly anywhere to sit and no where to relax, as lets face it, anyone whose been will tell you, relaxing is not really Ramshackle’s style.

There is a second dance floor upstairs with a smaller room which is slightly more Indy, although the music isn’t really much different from the main area. It is a more intimate experience however, due to its size and soft lighting, which is much better than the dingy darkness of the main dance floor.

Ramshackle also does the occasional special event, such as the New Years Eve party which is combined with Subculture, so look out for these dates.

All I can say in conclusion is that I guarantee when you’re chucked out at three in the morning, every muscle in your body will be aching, and your feet will feel as if they’re about to drop off, but you’ll be contented with a night well spent.