Just uttering the names IKON and Diva can conjure a wave of nostalgia, perhaps slightly blurred at the edges, for anyone who navigated the vibrant Southampton nightlife scene in the late 1990s and the dawn of the new millennium. 

These weren't just nightclubs; they were institutions, etched into the memories of an entire generation.

Their arrival begins on the nightlife scene is linked with the grand opening of Leisure World in August 1997.

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This wasn't merely a new building opening its doors, it was heralded by promoters and splashed across local headlines as a monumental event, the most significant injection of energy into the South Coast's entertainment world for years. 

Leisure World was conceived on a truly impressive scale – a sprawling giant covering 200,000 square feet, reaching skyward at 72 feet tall. More than just bricks and mortar, it was a hub of activity, providing employment for more than 500 people and promising endless nights of fun.

Within this vast complex laid a galaxy of entertainment options. The silver screen beckoned at the 13-screen Odeon cinema, camaraderie and televised triumphs (or tragedies) unfolded at Hotshots sports bar, and the uninhibited, cheesy-pop fun of Jumpin Jaks provided a raucous warm-up. 

But for many, the true pilgrimage destinations lay deeper within - the pulsating beats of IKON and the slightly more sophisticated allure of Diva.

In its heyday, a Saturday night at Leisure World followed an almost sacred ritual. 

Throngs of young, energetic revellers would kick things off at Hotshots, sinking a couple of drinks to build the anticipation. 

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Then came the inevitable migration towards Jumpin Jaks, often involving joining a queue that snaked patiently but expectantly, ready for the high-energy atmosphere inside. 

As the night wore on, the final destination beckoned. 

You'd head towards the intoxicating darkness and driving rhythms of IKON, or, if you'd clocked up a quarter-century or more, perhaps the more refined ambiance of Diva was your chosen haven to dance away the hours until the first hints of dawn.

However, the nightlife landscape is ever-shifting. 

In 2008, the familiar era of Ikon and Diva drew to a close. 

Under the new ownership of Luminar Leisure, Leisure World underwent a dramatic £7 million metamorphosis. 

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The iconic duo was replaced by a vast, ambitious superclub named Oceana. 

This new behemoth promised a 'world in one night,' boasting multiple themed rooms designed to cater to every taste, aiming to redefine the clubbing experience and usher in a new chapter for Southampton's late-night adventurers.

Southampton nightlife was struck a major blow with the closure of Oceana in 2021 and the subsequent demolition of the Leisure World complex.