10 Photos That Take You Inside a Typical Friday Night Out in the 1970s
There was nothing subtle about a Friday night in the ’70s — and that was the point. It was easy, sleazy, and greasy in all the right ways. The air was thick with hairspray and cologne. Whether sliding into a vinyl booth for a cocktail, lacing up your skates under a mirrorball, or stomping into the night in your tallest go-go boots, everything was a little louder and bolder back then. These photos bring that unapologetic energy to life, capturing what it looked like to clock out and turn up — 1970s style.
1. Social Hour at the Cocktail Lounge
In the 1970s, folks used to get dressed up and go to swanky bars with plush leather bar stools to share cocktails — Brandy Alexanders, Old Fashioneds, Harvey Wallbangers — and stories with their friends.
2. The Ambiance …
The ’70s were exploding with ambiance. Stone and wood paneled walls, black suits and ties, knee-high boots, hair with an obscene amount of volume, and a calm, cool, collected aura.
3. Bright Lights, Big City
Heading out on a Friday night in the ’70s was marked by the sound of Chevelles zooming down the street and lights shining on the signs of every movie theater, storefront, bar, and restaurant.
4. Good Vibes
During the 1970s, the vibes were immaculate. Especially on a Friday night. Point blank. Period.
5. Disco, Obviously
Disco ruled the 1970s. Everything was so psychedelic, from the lights and the music to the fashion and the dance moves. This was the grooviest way to ring in the weekend.
6. Satisfying the Need for Speed
The smell of hot dogs and methanol on a Friday night — accompanied by your ears ringing and your teeth vibrating from the horsepower zipping around the track — meant you were starting your weekend watching stock cars at the race track.
7. Friday Night Fish Fries
The floors were sticky. The smell of fish and malt vinegar filled the room. Friday night fish fries were as symbolic as they were delicious.
8. Go-Go Boots!
Were you even ready for a Friday night out if you didn’t pull your go-go boots on?
9. Hitting the Roller Rink
The roller rink was the place to be on Friday nights in the 1970s! It was basically like the disco on wheels.
10. Lapels and Sunglasses
Sunglasses weren’t reserved for the beach or daytime during the 1970s, and the larger the lapel, the more serious you were about having a good time on Friday night.
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