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 as well as 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, who ended the gig with "
Teenage Kicks". Although the club remained faithful to the spirit of rock, with riots at sold-out gigs by
The Pogues and
Ozzy Osbourne,
The 2000s In keeping with music trends, the new millennium saw Rock City play host to more dance music events.
The Rig situated beneath the Main Hall was annexed and operated as a separate venue. Rock City has remained one of the biggest names on the live circuit for alternative bands and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2016.
The 2010s The Lil Pump gig evacuation In November 2018, over 2000 concertgoers were evacuated from the sold out
Lil Pump gig.
Nottinghamshire police stated this was due to a smoke flare. The situation was described as "panic" as people struggled to breathe, vomited and cried. The area was cordoned off as emergency workers attended the venue. Only minor injuries were said to have been sustained. Later that evening, as the gig had been cancelled, Lil Pump performed on top of his tour bus at the back of the venue for waiting fans.
The 2020s The Yard Bar During the 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that hit the UK, Rock City, upon the gradual re-opening of bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes from 4 July in England, which excluded club venues, utilised their outdoor car-parking space to newly establish the Yard Bar in order to engage in commerce while maintaining government guided
social distancing measures. ==Theft problem==