Ignite Nightclub reopened under new ownership on Skinnergate on Friday, September 4, drawing crowds for its first two nights back in the town centre.
The venue had been empty since November 2024 but has returned with a new look, two music rooms and plans for regular headline DJs and themed nights.
Nathan Dawe, known for dance hits including Flowers, 21 Reasons and Lighter, headlined the opening night and proved a hit with clubbers.
A spokesperson said: “It went absolutely fantastic. Nathan Dawe went down a storm with the crowds and the place was pretty full.
“It was a really good atmosphere and, to be honest, it was exactly what we had hoped for.”
People passing through Darlington town centre on Saturday night were greeted by fire performers and a stilt walker outside the club.
The revamped venue has the main Ignite nightclub alongside Spark, a smaller room with a more relaxed atmosphere.
The operators said customers liked the two-room set-up, which offers a quieter space alongside the main dancefloor.
They said: “The two rooms went down really well. We have got the more chilled-out room and then we have got the main room and Spark.”
The relaunch also includes a VIP area with reserved tables, table service and a host to greet guests.
VIP tickets had not sold in advance, but the area booked up once people saw it on the night.
The spokesperson said: “The VIP area booked up straight away on the night once people had seen it.”
“You are greeted by a host, taken to your table and looked after all night. You do not even have to get up if you do not want to, although people were in and out because they wanted to be dancing on the dance floor.”
A new cloakroom lets customers leave their coats securely during the colder months.
The venue also sells snacks, soft drinks and bottled water to customers heading home.
Operators said customers welcomed the club’s stronger focus on house and dance music rather than the usual late-night bar sound.
The spokesperson said: “A lot of people have said it is a really big club for Darlington, which it is.
“They love the music and have said it is exactly what Darlington needed because it is more house and dance. It has more of a club feeling rather than just being a bar.”
Ignite is expected to host an R&B event during Darlington R&B weekend and adapt its programme around other events in the town.
The spokesperson said: “We are constantly going to be looking at what is coming up in the town centre and adapting to it, so we can accommodate different guests.”
The team aims to bring a well-known artist or DJ to the venue at least once a month and use its capacity to keep tickets affordable.
The spokesperson said: “We just want everyone to come in and feel safe. The aim is to bring headline artists in once a month. Because we have the space, we can accommodate more people and that can help bring ticket prices down.
“We also want to work with the other bars, so people can go to them and then come to us afterwards. It is not about businesses being against each other. We need to work together, and it will complement the town centre altogether.”
Ignite previously operated at the site for more than three years after taking over the former Institute Nightclub in 2021.
The building was previously home to The Keys, Filibuster and Firkin, Flares and Retro.
The club initially plans to open from Thursday to Sunday, with midweek hours to be trialled according to demand.
The operators also hope to revive MonGay on Mondays and stage rock, Mardi Gras and other themed events.