They'd planned to establish a gay club there, but they were rapidly swamped by punks, rockabillies, hairdressers and hip hoppers, happily mixing with the regular clients. Much of that libertarian spirit has survived there. Today, The Plaza is home to the Belfast Youth And Community Group. They have a 16 track studio, plus a rehearsal room, an office and a wholefood cafe, affectionately known as Giro's. Locals call it The Centre.
Young bands like to rehearse there because it's cheap and amenable.
Lots of them end up making demos, which only cost 10 an hour. Many play their first gigs there as well, in an area that can hold 200 at a push. Essentially it's a place to be creative, to get a handle on politics outside the traditional party factions, to have an inspiring time. Some of the hardcore characters who help to organise the place, like Petesy Burns, used to hang around The Harp Bar when punk was going off, and they've stuck with some of those principles. But if the proto-crusty set had their fair number of wasters and victims, there were enough progressive souls to keep it moving.