Rock City is a music venue and nightclub located in Nottingham, England. It is owned by venue operator and concert promoter DHP Family. It opened in December 1980, first hosting The Undertones, and has gone on to host some of the biggest names in alternative music, as well as maintaining a number of weekly club nights. It has been described by NME as "sweaty but truly indie" and has received numerous awards, including Kerrang! magazine's Venue of the Year for ten consecutive years. Overview Rock City is based in Nottingham City Centre, with a capacity of 2,000. The club features six bars spread across three rooms. The Main Hall and the Basement (Beta) rooms are all-standing during gigs. The third room, the Black Cherry Lounge, is operated separately (prior to September 2011 it was known as The Rig). Rock City plays host to various sized gigs, from smaller upcoming bands of the underground and local scene, to bands that are in the charts. History Pre-Rock City and foundation The building opened as the Alexandra Skating Rink on 23 November 1876 and was renamed Victoria Halls in 1887. It closed in May 1928 and the proprietor, Mr. Walker started a new venture with a new Palais de Danse which was opened in 1929 in Greyfriars Hall, Greyfriar Gate. Prior to Rock City the building was called The Heart of the Midlands, which hosted variety acts including the inaugural World Professional Darts Championship in 1978. The building was taken over by Sammy Jackson, who already owned a club called the Retford Porterhouse where he had booked bands such as AC/DC and The Clash, along with George Akins Snr., a local bookmaker, who bankrolled the new venture. The club was managed by Paul Mason, who would go on to manage Manchester's Haçienda nightclub, and had Iron Maiden booked to be the band to open the venue, although unfinished electrics resulted in the gig being cancelled. As a result, Orange Juice became the first band to play at Rock City on 11 December 1980 supporting The Undertones, who ended the gig with "Teenage Kicks". The 1980s and 1990s Rock City underwent a major refit in 1982 which included a purpose-built sound system, lighting rig and two video screens. Although the club remained faithful to the spirit of rock, with riots at sold-out gigs by The Pogues and Ozzy Osbourne, it was never restricted by