11 things that definitely happened during the return of Tokyo Jo’s

Inside Tokyo Jo's The Reunion Pic: Kate Rosindale — Inside Tokyo Jo’s The Reunion Pic: Kate Rosindale

Clubbers were transported back to the 90s and 00s heyday of the city’s nightclub scene.

Tokyo Jo’s made its return during Maundy Thursday and no doubt, like me, you had a very sore head this morning and aching feet.

Here’s some things which you will definitely have experienced during a Tokes night.

1) Queuing to get in

THAT queue. The pics went round WhatsApp groups like wildfire. Nearby places were rammed while strategic plans were worked out at what time it was best to join the queue. And queue banter is always a very special thing.

The queue for Toky Jo's stretching down Church Street Pic: Kate Rosindale — The queue for Toky Jo’s stretching down Church Street Pic: Kate Rosindale

At least it wasn’t lashing it down. Mind you, if there was no queue then it would not have been an authentic Tokes experience.

2) Alcopops. Just why?

VK Cherry. Smirnoff Ice. Blue WKD. Hooch.

They all made a comeback into your drinking habits for the evening. And your sugar consumption went through the roof. And this morning you were very sure as to why you had progressed onto drinking much nicer and stronger drinks over the years.

3) Losing a mate

Always, there’s always one person who goes AWOL. They go to the toilet and then three hours later you’re reunited on the dancefloor and celebrate like you’ve just scored the winning goal in the Cup Final.

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4) Being amazed there is WiFi

Definitely not in 1998 anymore. There was WiFi. But, phones away, it was all about the dancing rather than social media selfies. It’s probably for the best smartphones and WiFi were not a thing when Tokes was in its heyday, things would surface on Facebook we may wish to have forgotten.

5) Lack of phones

Maybe it’s a generational thing, but you didn’t see many people checking their phones especially on the dance floor. Our generation is there for the party. Throws shapes, make memories and remember them in a blurry haze rather than in crystal clear iPhone vision.

6) But, there was some posing…

You needed a team photo on the Tokyo Jo’s themed photo wall on the way in. Had to be done. I mean, this is how you do it….

7) The forgotten friends

“I’ve not seen you since… well… when we were last in here 15 years ago…” many a hug, a smile and lots of catching up as old school friends, colleagues and uni mates re-connected. If Friends Reunited did club nights…

8) Shots

Always a great idea at the time. Apple Sourz all round. But a terrible, terrible, idea the next morning.

9) Dancing without shoes

I mean, come on, that floor has seen all life over the decades. And you’re putting your bare feet on it!?

Who needs shoes? It will not stop the rhythm. Brave woman.

10) The hunger

All that VK and bottles of Bud makes for a hungry group of friends. You charge out into the crisp night air, across the road and join a massive queue in Yum Yums.

Only greasy food will do at 3am Pic: Simon Kirkham — Only greasy food will do at 3am Pic: Simon Kirkman

Chips, pizza, some kind of greasy meat-based food. Only that will satisfy the hunger cravings you seem to have developed.

11) The hangover

Oh god. Whoever decided to have it on the Thursday night before a four-day weekend is a saint in many people’s eyes today. Imagine having to actually function during Good Friday?

Swinging your legs out of bed. The burn in your feet. The burn in your stomach. You make your way to the bathroom, shakily.

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How did we do this every week when we were 19?

And, why have we not learned that nothing good ever comes of it?

But Toky Jo’s returned. We returned. And as the man behind it Brian Hudson said, many people were probably waking up thinking ‘yeah, that was a good night’ while also swearing they will never, ever, drink again.