Vinyl Spins and Talc on the Floor: Motown & Northern Soul Hits Havre des Pas

By Alyssa | WhatsOn music and nightlife writer Alyssa tracks the gigs, festivals, club nights and late-late plans worth leaving the house for.

There is a distinct, rhythmic magic to the crackle of a rare 45 hitting the platter, and Jersey’s dedicated soul scene is about to get a massive injection of it. DJs Dazza & Gazza are taking over the Dockyard Restaurant at the Marina Metro Hotel for a relentless Motown & Northern Soul Disco. This isn't your standard background-music pub night; it is an all-out homage to the heavy basslines, driving tempos and brass-drenched anthems of Detroit and Wigan Casino, bringing an essential fix of authentic vinyl culture right to the edge of the Havre des Pas waterfront.

Deep Cuts and Floor-Filling Stompers

The thumping four-on-the-floor beat of a classic track echoing against the walls of the waterfront dining room sets a deeply nostalgic tone. You get the rich aroma of a pre-dance dinner slowly clearing away to make space for sharp footwork and spinning bodies. Expect a setlist that dives much deeper than the standard commercial radio hits, pulling out high-energy Northern Soul stompers and sweet Motown grooves that demand constant movement. The room runs hot, the bass shakes the floorboards, and the speakers work overtime pumping out the kind of organic, brass-heavy sound you can only get from real records spinning live.

The Vinyl Diehards and First-Time Dancers

Northern Soul commands one of the most fiercely loyal followings in the world, and Jersey’s local contingent turns out in force for these nights. You will find the true connoisseurs—the ones who know every lyric to an obscure Detroit B-side—sharing the floor with groups who just want to sweat out their week to a relentless backbeat. The atmosphere is unpretentious, incredibly welcoming and fiercely energetic. People do not come here to stand at the edge of the room with a pint; they come to move. By the time the night hits its peak, the barrier between the dinner tables and the dancefloor completely dissolves, leaving a room completely united by the rhythm.

Know Before You Go

• Secure your spot: Because this is a dinner-and-dancing setup, tables get locked in early by large groups. Do not rely on walking in halfway through the night; book your table ahead of time to guarantee your space on the floor. Check the Dancing in Jersey official page for booking contact details.
• Dress for the heat: The music is fast and relentless. Leave the heavy layers in the cloakroom and wear something you can actually move in—flat, smooth-soled shoes are a massive advantage if you plan on attempting any spins.
• Getting there: Parking around Havre des Pas can be tight on a weekend evening. Consider grabbing a cab from the centre of town or making use of the nearby public car parks to avoid a late arrival.
• Bring the stamina: The DJs lean heavily into high-bpm tracks. Pace yourself, keep a glass of water nearby, and prepare for a late one.

Make a Weekend of It

Since the party goes late in Havre des Pas, turn it into a proper St Helier weekender. Book a room at the Pomme d’Or Hotel—its central location at Liberation Square means you are just a short cab ride from the venue, and waking up to harbour views makes the morning much more bearable. If you want to elevate the weekend further, grab one of the luxury suites at The Royal Yacht Hotel & Spa, where you can sweat out the excesses of the dancefloor in their steam room.

For a pre-party afternoon, stretch your legs with a guided history walk through town courtesy of Stroll In Jersey, or grab a rental from Zebra Bike Hire and cruise along the southern coast to clear your head. If you need a solid Sunday pub lunch to recover from the dancing, jump in a cab heading east to the Le Hocq Inn in St Clement. Their legendary Sunday roasts and thick-crusted bread are exactly what a tired body needs after hours of stomping on a hardwood floor.

I'll see you out on the floor—keep the faith. — Alyssa for What's On.