The Vale had had it's day by 2005. When it first opened as The Vale around 2002/03 it had a spell of being the only late night spot in the area, and we had some laughs in there dancing and getting hammered as 24 year olds. The manager always fancied himself as a bit of q gangster type, and the doormen tended to be arseholes. By 2005 it would be pretty empty on a weekend night as other alternatives had opened. Don't think Black Cherry opened til 2007. EDT has always been there. It was the first place in the area to really modernise circa 2001, and attracted big crowds at weekends. Since then it's always stayed pretty busy. Off the main strip, what is now "The Great Exhibition" was then The CPT (Crystal Palace Tavern). Although it had the reputation of an old mans pub, it did have quite a big number of 20something regulars, of which I was one, who were very friendly with the staff, and would regularly be in the upstairs living quarters drinking on the balcony after hours (happy happy days). Without the CPT, I wouldn't have met half my friends, or my wife. Actually, that does remind me, we had our first snog in The Vale in Jan 05, when we all ended up there having started in The CPT, so The Vale must have still been alright, although that is one of the last times I ever went there. Another shout to Inside 72. It felt like a little bar in Spain, had wicked music and decor. And pink candles stuck in JD bottles with the wax dripping down. Cool! Too much red onion in the steak sandwiches though!!!