The club was started in 1993 by local DJ Alan Simms, first as A Different Drum at the Limelight before moving to the Mandela hall, part of Queen's University Students' Union, where it became Shine in 1995.

'Super Shine' nights brought the clubs capacity to its thousands and hosted several high profile DJs and acts in the one evening.

DJs and live acts that have played in Shine include Soulwax, Carl Cox, Green Velvet, David Holmes, Deep Dish, Darren Emerson, Richie Hawtin, Adam Freeland, Deep Dish, Layo and Bushwacka!, Audio Bullys, Felix da House Cat, Welt, Andrew Weatherall, Laurent Garnier, Groove Armada, Vitalic, Slam, Rigsy, Dave Clarke[1] and Fergie.

BBC Radio 1 has held events at Shine in the past with Pete Tong and, unusually, Tim Westwood appearing in the main room.

Releases on the label included tracks by Jon Carter, Simms & Welt and Justin Robertson, who also played the club regularly.