About Niche
The legendary godfather of bassline; the backstreet nightclub that started it all.
Niche Description
Niche was founded 20 years ago by Steve Baxendale. Steve nurtured Niche into the global brand that it is today, evolving it into a globally recognised symbol of musical eminence. For more than 20 years, it's been home to a truly distinct underground music sound and created millions of memories.
In 1992, Steve opened the doors to a small, unknown backstreet club in the centre of Sheffield that went by the name of Niche. Little did he know, this club would become one of the most legendary dance music venues in the world. It soon became a thriving success story on the underground clubbing scene. It was an all night dance club, opening at midnight and closing it’s doors at midday, serving up hard hitting doses of underground house and garage. As the years progressed, Niche came to the forefront of the UK underground clubbing scene as it began to fuse house, garage and RnB creating a unique sound all of its own. Clubbers would travel the length of the country just for a night at this legendary venue. But, in November 2005, South Yorkshire Police raided the Niche nightclub and forced it to close. This cost the tax payer over £600, 000 and resulted in not one conviction. The closure of the legendary Sidney Street venue was a massive blow to the very loyal and extremely dedicated Niche clubbing community. But, they weren't prepared to take it lying down.
In October 2006, Steve Baxendale opened a new venue called Club Vibe on Charter Row (Sheffield) after being inundated with messages of support from the clubbers that had fallen in love with Niche. During the three years that Club Vibe was open, it forged and shaped the bassline scene into what it is today. In particular, the now cherished era of 2007. The 07’ era to the nu-school ravers is cherished just as much as the late 90’s /early naughties are by the original Niche veterans. It was a time when little known producers burst out from their bedrooms and on to the main stages of clubs and events like The Limit, Twilite and Warehouse. These were the new kids on the block, producing the bangers that the new era of ravers were demanding from iconic DJ’s on the scene. It was a time when the producers were commanding almost as many bookings as the DJ’s themselves and this changed the scene forever.
It’s no great secret that when Club Vibe first opened no one really knew how long it would be around. After Sidney Street and The Limit, things were on a tender hook with the authorities and everything needed to be run by the book with no mention of the dreaded ‘N’ word or widely recognised laurel leaves. But the crowds still flocked in every weekend, and with a lot of hard work and cooperation with the authorities, the trust and respect that Niche built with the authorities was promising.
Summer 2008 was the next big step. With the scene receiving full hype, Steve Baxendale received a call about the possibility of producing the first ever commercially released bassline album. It was from non-other than the mighty Ministry Of Sound. After long discussions with Ministry, the deal was done and volume one of The Sound Bassline was released and went gold, selling in excess of 100, 000 copies. For the first time ever, Niche was viewed as a brand and a music genre in its own right.
At the start of October 2009, the contracts were signed for Club Vibe to extend into the empty unit next door. There was only one real option of what to do with the huge space; create a Niche replica! The brief was simple, to create a feeling as close as possible to walking into the original Sidney Street building; layout, colour scheme, sound system, toilets, chill out area; everything. So in Novemeber 2009, the clubbers waved a fond farewell to Club Vibe as it opened it's doors under the name of Niche exactly 4 years after the original Niche building on Sidney Street closed.
The grand opening of Niche on Charter Row was without a doubt one of the biggest clubbing events Sheffield has ever seen. The doors opened at 9pm, and by 10pm they were closed because Niche was completely packed! Steve quickly took action and did an on the spot deal with the club opposite, the then Empire bar. Empire acted as an overflow club for those who couldn't get into Niche. But it wasn't long before Empire too closed its doors because it was operating at full capacity. All we can say is, sorry to those who didn't manage to get in. Whilst Niche was on Charter Row, it hosted some of the biggest bassline events to date, had some amazing DJs grace the decks, and created yet more memories for the clubbers.
Unfortunately, Niche wasn't even open for one year at Charter Row before South Yorkshire Police placed restrictions on Niche which made it financially unviable to trade, essentially forcing it into closure. This was a very sad time for everyone involved. The clubbers once again rallied together and made their feelings known to the authorities, but it was no good. The city of Sheffield had to say goodbye to yet another legendary music venue that once called it home.
In 2017, Niche opened at it's new home on Walker Street in Sheffield. The story now continues. . .
Reviews
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Unfortunately Dub Factory is now permanently closed at it's Walker Street venue.
We want to say a massive thank you to everybody that has supported Walker Street, both with Niche & the Dub Factory, we really do appreciate it.
... However, this isn't the end of the story. Dub Factory will be relocating to a new Sheffield city centre venue very soon! For all the latest information regarding this move, keep checking the official Dub Factory Facebook page.
Over and out from everyone at Dub Factory (for now) 😏😉
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An old Jamie Duggan & Booda Bassline classic with a twist 😎
Photography: fb.com/shotbyWIZphotography
THIS SATURDAY AT THE DUB FACTORY
Bassline Anthems at Dub Factory TONIGHT!! TRILLA, TRC & many more!!🔥🔥
Doors open at 11pm, get down early for cheaper entry!🕺
‘This ones a wobbler....’ 5 days to go!! BASSLINE ANTHEMS at Dub Factory THIS SATURDAY! Special guests TRILLA & TRC🔥🔥
6 DAYS TO GO! We're back next Saturday with Bassline Anthems! TRILLA & TRC!
Shot by Laurence Ellis Media - www.facebook.com/laurencesmedia
Dub Factory presents BASSLINE ANTHEMS! 'Back to 07' >> Sat 14th April! Special guests TRILLA & TRC!! Win 4 VIP passes & Grey Goose! Like & share this pic! Tag 4 friends below!
CLUB VIBE REUNION at DUB FACTORY TONIGHT!!!🔥 Doors open at 11pm🕺
2 days to go!!! CLUB VIBE REUNION at DUB FACTORY!
Club Vibe Reunion This Sunday at Dub Factory!!
DJ EJ / MURKZ / NASTEE BOI & many more!!
... Doors open at 11pm, make sure you get down early for cheaper entry!
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The super club that is Niche! History continues to be made ��
The atmosphere is amazing the music the lights the staff are all second to none never been in a club and felt so safe well done niche
Nothing compares to the music, the people and the vibe you get from Niche. It's about seeing all the familiar faces without knowing them personally and coming together to buzz off the music and dance until you drop. Epic!!!
Niche is the place to be great atmosphere lovely crowed always feel welcome and safe love this place been going since I was 21 and now 46 this year and when I herd it may close when it just reopend I was gutted I really love this place and it would so not be fare for the world to suffer and not be able to wind down on a week end at our favourite place NICHE � went on both marchers and was a little disappointed at the turn out but was great to see our old rave heads who you not seen since long time anyway niche is my life and this world will be nothing without our NICHE � xxxx
Mad Friday 😁👍🏻 Loved it music atmosphere staff 👍🏻 Only down side was closing early due to one idiot that had to ruin what was a amazing night xxxx hope it’s open for a long time to come
Love this place great venue, great vibe and buzzin tunes, coming bk New Year’s Eve carnt wait - bar staff absolutely brilliant top night
Love the place.. great people and atmosphere.. came for my birthday in March was a wicked night from what I remember haha and the VIBE REUNION was even better as my time at niche was the VIBE days.. hope things stay as they are niche is keeping the sheffield sound alive. LONG LIVE NICHE
If u get the chance to go here go ! Amazing atmosphere .music staff .and beautiful lay out friendly door staff and in house staff and of course the music !!!!!!
I'm very happy niche back in Sheffield and very greatful of mr Steve he brought some old memorys back I been most clubs out there but no clubs in all of England good as niche one and only
I loved the old Niche and I love the new Niche just as much! Opening night was amazing! Beautiful new venue, lots of fantastic speedgarage tunes played to take us back to our youths!
Loved it, staff where brilliant, DJs played excellent, thank you Steve & Kate for bringing us our favourite ever club back to life ������
I loved it never got chance to go to the old Niche so its great that theres a new one to go to! Tunes were great bank hol sunday! Cant wait to go again xx
Great nite seen a few old faces just wish they would move with times with the music tho wouldn't mind hearing some new speed garage stuff but all in all good nite nice venue to well done to Steve for bringing niche back to sheffield can't wait for next nite out there
Great atmosphere, great music and amazing staff well worth a visit
Finally got to go this weekend after much anticipation and it was amazing. So gutted we hadn't been sooner. Amazing staff, djs and just people in general; met some really lovely people :) The perfect way to spend our wedding anniversary! Will be back soon.
BEST NIGHT'S EVER TO HAVE! SURREAL AND YET REAL. The crowd, people and all staff r people u may never see again but u will remember for ever as they r u but in a different light. GENUINE PEOPLE! I Just there to live, lean and enjoy the night! Be there or be square!
Amazing place and best music around love it
Amazing night in a fantastic club...so glad it's back! Fantastic atmosphere, music and people. But really do have to say a very special thank you to Laura Russell and Kate Baxendale. I lost my bag on the night. Laura found it and handed it in (a true niche superstar) and Kate went out her way to keep in touch and post it back to me. It's great to know there are still lots of lovely decent people out there. Thank you so very much ladies, I owe you both many �� xx
Absolutely amazing night and what better way to spend my birthday than at the niche. Big shout out to all the DJ's all bloody fantastic playing some bad ass tunes, certainly took me bk down memory lane. Loved it xxx
Nev Wright and Jamie Duggan had the place bouncing, well done guys!
top night staff were friendly and helpful as always security on top form. The only thing I found was the tunes a little repetitive but overall class night can't wait for the 30th
The super club that is Niche! History continues to be made ��
The atmosphere is amazing the music the lights the staff are all second to none never been in a club and felt so safe well done niche
Nothing compares to the music, the people and the vibe you get from Niche. It's about seeing all the familiar faces without knowing them personally and coming together to buzz off the music and dance until you drop. Epic!!!
Niche is the place to be great atmosphere lovely crowed always feel welcome and safe love this place been going since I was 21 and now 46 this year and when I herd it may close when it just reopend I was gutted I really love this place and it would so not be fare for the world to suffer and not be able to wind down on a week end at our favourite place NICHE � went on both marchers and was a little disappointed at the turn out but was great to see our old rave heads who you not seen since long time anyway niche is my life and this world will be nothing without our NICHE � xxxx
Mad Friday 😁👍🏻 Loved it music atmosphere staff 👍🏻 Only down side was closing early due to one idiot that had to ruin what was a amazing night xxxx hope it’s open for a long time to come
Love this place great venue, great vibe and buzzin tunes, coming bk New Year’s Eve carnt wait - bar staff absolutely brilliant top night
Love the place.. great people and atmosphere.. came for my birthday in March was a wicked night from what I remember haha and the VIBE REUNION was even better as my time at niche was the VIBE days.. hope things stay as they are niche is keeping the sheffield sound alive. LONG LIVE NICHE
If u get the chance to go here go ! Amazing atmosphere .music staff .and beautiful lay out friendly door staff and in house staff and of course the music !!!!!!
I'm very happy niche back in Sheffield and very greatful of mr Steve he brought some old memorys back I been most clubs out there but no clubs in all of England good as niche one and only
I loved the old Niche and I love the new Niche just as much! Opening night was amazing! Beautiful new venue, lots of fantastic speedgarage tunes played to take us back to our youths!
Loved it, staff where brilliant, DJs played excellent, thank you Steve & Kate for bringing us our favourite ever club back to life ������
I loved it never got chance to go to the old Niche so its great that theres a new one to go to! Tunes were great bank hol sunday! Cant wait to go again xx
Great nite seen a few old faces just wish they would move with times with the music tho wouldn't mind hearing some new speed garage stuff but all in all good nite nice venue to well done to Steve for bringing niche back to sheffield can't wait for next nite out there
Great atmosphere, great music and amazing staff well worth a visit
Finally got to go this weekend after much anticipation and it was amazing. So gutted we hadn't been sooner. Amazing staff, djs and just people in general; met some really lovely people :) The perfect way to spend our wedding anniversary! Will be back soon.
BEST NIGHT'S EVER TO HAVE! SURREAL AND YET REAL. The crowd, people and all staff r people u may never see again but u will remember for ever as they r u but in a different light. GENUINE PEOPLE! I Just there to live, lean and enjoy the night! Be there or be square!
Amazing place and best music around love it
Amazing night in a fantastic club...so glad it's back! Fantastic atmosphere, music and people. But really do have to say a very special thank you to Laura Russell and Kate Baxendale. I lost my bag on the night. Laura found it and handed it in (a true niche superstar) and Kate went out her way to keep in touch and post it back to me. It's great to know there are still lots of lovely decent people out there. Thank you so very much ladies, I owe you both many �� xx
Absolutely amazing night and what better way to spend my birthday than at the niche. Big shout out to all the DJ's all bloody fantastic playing some bad ass tunes, certainly took me bk down memory lane. Loved it xxx
Nev Wright and Jamie Duggan had the place bouncing, well done guys!
top night staff were friendly and helpful as always security on top form. The only thing I found was the tunes a little repetitive but overall class night can't wait for the 30th