School and college-based clubs, religious fellowship groups back in the 1940s, and centres in local neighbourhoods have all proved popular.
Did you have a favourite and when? This reporter has fond memories of Friday nights at High Tunstall School Youth Club in the early 90s when members could play pool, table tennis, darts and fire up the juke box for next to nothing.
Scroll on to see if your old club or friends made it into the Mail.
2. Bridge Youth Centre
Former Hartlepool landmark The Bridge Youth Centre, in Burbank Street, as it looked in 1967. The building was later home to the Hartlepool Catholic Boxing Club and various youth groups before being demolished. Bungalows now occupy the site. Photo: Mail
3. Fun and games at Hesleden
Hesleden Youth Club received £2,000 worth of games and equipment from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund in 2003. Photo: WOOD
4. Next generation
The then Hartlepool MP Iain Wright with students at Brinkburn Youth Club in 2008. CATCHLINE HM0708DVD Photo: LH