I will never forget it. Reminded me of my mis-spent but highly pleasurable youth on the dance floors of a London. The Blow Up Metro Club, Soho2001-2009Crossrail dealt the West End club scene another blow, taking the scalp of the Metro with the same swoop of the sword that ended the Astoria. London Boys singles chronology. The huge venue, which filled six arches, brought a Balearic party vibe to a run-down corner of London, with club nights including Glitterati and Cheeky People. The Cross, Kings Cross 1993-2007Speaking to Time Out after its closure, Billy Reilly, who ran a road haulage company in Kings Cross before opening warehouse venue the Cross, admitted that back in 1993 he, didnt know Judge Jules from Judge Dredd. Its a shame that the ones boarded up or abandoned arent brought back to life. I also have a book given out on The Ends 10th birthday which is a coffee table book but still good. The Blitz Kids were the gang who unofficially ran the club, with members included Gary and Martin Kemp from Spandau, dance choreographer supremo-to-be Michael Clark and Siobhan Fahey (later of Bananarama). So goooood memories!!!! There is no place for this kind of establishment in Hackney. In its 80s heyday, Limelight was one of London's top nightclubs and a hangout for the decade's biggest celebrities. Peter Gatien produced the 1993 film A Bronx Tale after having produced it as a one-man play. Getting lost So sad to see it all boarded up. The Fridge, Brixton1981-2010When it opened, the Fridge was the club of the New Romantics Boy George was a regular before becoming famous for its nights hosted by Soul II Soul. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Great article, and Ill second and third and fourth what has been said here. At that time the venue was owned by Terry (cant rememember his surname) and hed made his money from jiffy condoms and then for some reason he got involved with starting up bagleys as a venue thanks for the article, spent many crazy nights/days in all of these places, Velvet Underground aside. In 2010 a group which was known for squatting in large homes and embassies moved into the the building. Those Cranks days were the era that I fully embraced the concept of the 3-night sleepless weekender and other wonderous, if slightly unprofessional, ways to fill the hours between shifts. 7. It set the tone for mixed gay clubbing and for techno music especially to become more mainstream. hope youre well? Peter Gatien is mentioned in the lyrics of three songs: 17. Velvet Rooms, Soho1993-2003Ibiza party man Nicky Holloway kickstarted this central London club originally named Velvet Underground after his previous project, Milk Bar, lost its lease. Great article Tom. People from across the capital will flock to Herbal, an exposed brick warehouse which regularly hosted big name DJs. Located in the west lodge outside Euston Station, it ran from 1995 to 2008. Magic was created on those dancefloors and longstanding relationships and friends. But in London most places turf revellers out well before 4am and there's a severe lack of "after hour" options. Boy George was a regular at this New Romantics haunt which hosted some of the capital's biggest gay nights. circa 1990. The Norman-style Welsh Chapel was built in 1888 by James Cubitt for inner London's Welsh community and was empty for 15 years before it found new life as nightclub Limelight. The Moonstone, St John's Precinct, 1974, from The Lost Pubs and Clubs of Liverpool City Centre DVD by John Harrison Barry Fairfield said: "Great memories, my favourite club was The Beachcomber." 53. I think the concern is that given the way that redevelopment is happening across town, one day soon there wont be any suitable spaces where clubs can settle. In the 1990s, the scene reverted back to Soho, revitalised by new style bars like The Village. Its a members only club but the present owners are open to granting membership to those who arent necessarily currently gracing the cover of Hello! Something went wrong, please try again later. #5 Where could you find warehouse raving complete with funfair rides right in the heart of the capital? Anyway, as the corridor joined Soundshaft to Heaven (and Heaven being pretty legendry), I decided to go to the loo. The cinema was never built; now locals have a block of fancy flats to enjoy instead. The club was also hugely important for the capitals LGBT scene, hosting sellout weekly bonanza G-A-Y, known for getting stars as bright as Kylie and Britney on stage, as well as for dropping balloons on everyone at regular intervals. Or did that go the way of the marbles?! The clubs licence was suddenly revoked after a serious incident of disorder outside the venue, in which, according to the police report, bouncers used baseball bats to fight off a customer who had been throwing bottles at them. ; Beargarden Club - A St James's club in Trollope's Palliser novels; Bellona Club - Lord Peter Wimsey's club and location of a murder in Dorothy L. Sayers novel The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club Billiards Club - Setting for the improbably tall . When it opened, the Fridge was the club of the New Romantics - Boy George was a regular - before becoming famous for its nights hosted by Soul II Soul. You can head back to a mate's house and lounge with a cold one until your party mood completely fades, but what if you still have itchy feet and the urge to dance? 051. As you pointed out Fabric is the benchmark for a well organised, respected, profitable club in the modern era but you only have to look at the demise of Pacha to see what a dangerous game financially it is nowadays. In its 80s heyday, Limelight was one of London's top nightclubs and a hangout for the decade's biggest celebrities. Madame JoJo's closure was a massive blow to Soho 's nightlife scene. Mike Nolan from Bucks Fizz appeared at the club in 1997, and boy band D.V.S and singing star Caprice also made memorable appearances. Matter, Greenwich2008-2010It was perhaps always a slightly over-optimistic proposition opening a nightclub in Greenwich, let alone one inside the Millennium Dome, but if anyone was going to have a good stab at it, then it would be the pair behind Fabric: Cameron Leslie and Keith Reilly. Thats brought back some memories. Great memories for me toobut pickling clubs in aspic is a sign of ld age, new generations inven their own vibes in new venues.Some of those big clubs that are eulogised here were seen at the time by older clubbersd as too corporate and bland. Great memories of perhaps the greatest clubbing/club music period history has known! It was like a small amphitheatre with the DJ the absolute centre of attraction, he says. Ultimate . but it went wrong after the terrible stabbing on a bank holiday sunday night. Fantastic and long-needed article, thanks for bringing back the memories. The End, The Cross, Turnmills and Bagleys were all favourites. The venue stopped running the events to save its licence, but as a result lost a lot of money through cancelled bookings and by March 2010 was broke. I remember me and my brother went up to Soundshaft one night (I was about 22), with, erm, a couple of associates.. The duo ran the popular basement club in Holborn for years. Love it, smiling from ear to ear thinking about some of them. Nowadays the capital's former red light district is swanky. The Whirlitzer seating in The Cross Garden (Photo by Carl Allen) 7 Sir George Robey/Powerhaus, Seven Sisters Road 10. Luckily they are putting up a great fight, so Ministry wont find itself demolished just yet. Maggie's, 329 Fulham Road, SW10 9QL, maggies-club.com The Jazz Caf 5 Parkway Every Saturday night, the Jazz Caf hosts I Love the 80s v I Love the 90s, a retro night combining all the best bits of. MyLondon's brilliant newsletter The 12 is absolutely jam packed with all the latest to keep you keep you entertained, informed and uplifted. I played at the cross several times .. 4 me one of best uk clubs where i played great memories , I have the Cross book. magazine. Its also a shame to lose 93 Feet East recently too. But I will never forget the fabulous nights and camaraderie that I shared with friends and total strangers whilst waving my hands in the air like I just didnt care x, I met my husband at The Cross in 2004, now happily married with kids. Great article. It was hip long before Shoreditch was, and paved the way for the plethora of nightlife venues that have popped up in the area since. The Shim Sham Club, which opened on Wardour Street in the mid-1930s, was described as 'London's miniature Harlem'. It most certainly is me. Anyone who is anyone has DJd there over the years (as the endless MoS series of album releases testifies), including Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong and Armand Van Helden. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. George Michael often arrived at the nightclub accompanied by a woman before he came out as gay. I remember Bagleys that was a long time ago. Bagleys/Canvas, Kings Cross1991-2007Like a legal rave, Bagleys was a huge multi-room warehouse club that held some of Londons biggest Saturday night parties. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 18. After all, it did have a capacity pushing 4,000 people and a 24-hour drinking licence. But at least theres still Visions Video Bar. Here are some of the South London clubs and bars that are sadly no more. If you were staggering down the Clerkenwell Road on a Sunday afternoon at around 4pm in the early '90s then you can consider yourself a true nightclub pioneer. At the Astoria I met a bloke who ended up being my significant other for a decade. THANKS. Wonderful write up of some of the clubs that paved the way for the scene today. Pete x. Im good thanks Pete. Remaining stock was given away free at the apocalyptically hedonistic farewell party so they do crop up online occasionally. This article was amended on 11 September 2016. And there are also some intriguing facts about the nightclub's sister venues across the pond. It closed after an issue with underage drinking was reported in 2009, before re-opening as Electric Brixton. Dirty, worn, in your face, street cred with banging, hard but funky beats. 3 books with local connections, Two cultural winter highlights: La Maupin and LuYang, 3 things to consider: Makers Market, New Wine Bar and Live Jazz, Leigh Hunt and the secret history of 13 Mortimer Terrace NW5, Its 10 years since Fields Beneath, Camden Brewery, The Grafton and Pizza East opened, The Parakeet, Kentish Town: what you need to know, The Parakeet Kentish Town: ex-Brat chef in the kitchen, A beginners guide to.Harringay Green Lanes. so much fun should be illegal. Rather than join the party, Hackney council revoked the clubs licence following an undercover operation into drug dealing at the venue. Many a themed student bash was hosted at London Bridge's notorious Cable Club in the mid 2000s. As I looked up from the urinal, there was this dude, about 6foot 6, clad in all leather, not too dissimilar to that of the guys in the Blue Oyster bar in the Police Academy films, peaked cap, studded peak, leather trousers, jacket. 5. I was just chatting away, when I heard this rhythmic, squeaking sound, along with heavy, thundering footsteps. It makes me feel quite sad how our communities are being transformed into bland faceless environments in some cases. Limelight in New York, which closed in 2001, was in the media in 1996 when Michael Alig was arrested and later convicted for the killing and dismemberment of Angel Melendez, who frequented the New York Limelight - the 2003 biopic Party Monster, starring Macaulay Culkin and Seth Green, was based on this event. Clubs in Mayfair London are the most prestigious nightclubs in town. From sweaty rave spots to Soho institutions, these are the iconic nightlife haunts we most miss. Despite a big campaign to save it, the club fell victim to a compulsory purchase order from Hackney council to build a new cinema. best dominic madden, Sundays @ The End with The A corner crew slapping the walls to Malcom Duffy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Open till 5am and with no alcohol license, this, more than any other London club, marked the end of the sticky carpets and flock wallpaper design of clubs in the capital and triggered the beginning of nightspots being seen as somewhere to dance rather than a place to get hammered and attempt to grope members of the opposite sex. Gaz ran a weekly night there from. During the 1990s, photographer Steve Eichner documented the rowdy, over-the-top debauchery that was New York City's club scene and nightlife. Great article. The Walkabout bar closed after its parent company went into administration in October 2009. 9. Even Prince Charles has been to the Limelight club - he was snapped getting out of the royal car as he arrived to attend a reception for the Prince's Trust at the venue in December 1997. The End & AKA were a true second home. We put a swimming pool onthe terrace one night, fairground rides another. Lead singer of the pop group Visage Steve Strange (left) pictured with Boy George at London's Limelight. Herbal, Shoreditch2000-2009It was small (and sweaty) but Herbal consistently pounded out some of the best drum and bass in the capital, filling out every Sunday for Grooveriders seminal night, Grace, as well as regularly hosting the likes of Goldie and the Metalheadz crew. A most excellent post Tom.. Peter Gatien's daughter Jen Gatien made a documentary called Limelight in 2011, about New York City night life in the 1990s and the rise and fall of her father's club empire. This former gin distillery was home to one of Londons all time greatest club nights: Trade. -d(-L-)b-. The End was the brainchild of DJs Mr C and Layo. A string of London's best-loved night clubs have closed since 2000. Last minute gifts? So blessed to have lived through that experience and a special mention to my ex Alan and DJ Chris McKoy. Kids going out today wont realise its a tragedy, but it is. People may rave about London's nightlife, but compared to other big cities, clubs and bars shut early and are expensive. In Berlin you can rave for days at the Berghain without ever having to leave and in Madrid no one hits the "discoteca" before 4am. 10. I was there solidly for several years and partook in all you have mentioned above (and more). The councils motives were questioned soon after, however, when it was revealed the club had already been ringfenced for demolition and development over the next few years by the owners. We went to the opening night of Fabric. But things turned sour after after a double stabbing took place in the club, leading to its licence being revoked. What I would say is be glad we are the ages we are. Electroworks (I think this was the name?). He was about 50 years old and massive. Me and my brother went there, 2 days before we flew out to Zante in 1994. The massive warehouse club in King's Cross was a close as you could get to a legal rave. Nights spent on the VIP/guestlist gate were also quite entertaining as was the office at 5am in the morning when I went to pick up my wage before driving home to my university campus in Watford. Ironically, the development never happened and the club was eventually reopened as the Den and Centro. Believe it or not King's Cross was once the party hub of London. 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. It was the trend-setting precursor to London's super clubs, and transformed the terrain of LGBTQ clubbing in the capital. A former Goth club with 2/3 rooms over 2 floors. The West End night spot was based in a former chapel on Shaftsbury Avenue until its popularity declined and sadly, it was sold on and converted into a bar. It had to close due to Network Rail redevelopment in 2013. I used to go to Whoop it Up every Friday during 1998-2002; it was a fantastic place to go. 8. With a capacity of barely 200, the vibe, somehow, always kept its intimate, non-exclusive air. R&B Clubs And Events In London. The arcade room downstairs Ok, its technically a pub and Im not sure if we were going there in 90s. Have to confess my favorites were Frantic at the Academy, and The Fridge. Despite the epic interior, or perhaps because of it, the venue struggled to pull in the punters during its later years, blaming the recession for its eventual closure. Stars from the world of the music who were regulars at the nightclub included Boy George, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Steve Strange. All this created the friendliest and most fun crowd on the clubbing scene. The Black Sheep Bar in Croydon High Street (Image: David Cook) This High Street venue in Croydon, which was loved for its alternative club nights and live music, closed in 2013 after 15 years in service. Ask Billy if there are more? It was around the corner from Angel station. Cheers Mike. Jon Cook. Read more: Has Covid-19 ended Sohos indie spirit for good? In the 1980s some clubs opened up in Earls Court, where the rent was cheaper. Great article. There are now just 1,733 venues compared with 3,144 in 2005 and in the last 10 years London has lost 10 top clubs. People queuing to get into The Cross mid 1990s, Madame Jojo's in London's Soho closed after losing its licence in 2014, The O2 Arena was once a massive nightclub, The Good Ship supported emerging artists and comedians and was a gem of the London gig scene. I remember having to take my shoes off for them to be searched. Black Sheep Bar, Croydon. You had, in all probability, just left Turnmills, the first club in the UK to receive a 24 hour license. But its about the memories though, for me. Turnmills was the first and best, never surpassed and so fondly remembered, well as much as my pitted brain will allow. Plastic People, Shoreditch2000-2015The new year started with a shock for clubbers, when renowned east London bass-cave Plastic People announced it was closing, pretty much instantly. The plan was to go up there, see someone and come back. For more news and featuresabout London directly to your inbox sign up to our newsletter here. It was the place to go. Despite pioneering an anything goes party culture in London, by the late noughties, the buzz was fading. It was in King's Cross's golden triangle of night clubs which all shut down in the face of the area's redevelopment. The energy and the hedonism of the club gave a new life to the scene and other clubs sprung up trying to emulate Trade, giving more choice to clubbers. I was the promoter of Double Dipped at Bagleys on Friday nights around 91 93 If anyone sees them please can you let me know? Or many others, would not stop writing and remembering about them. He looked down at me, then to my brother, we both leant forward in unison, looked at each other, as if to say Have you seen this, dude? and then back up at him. Stir some memories with these photographs from the '90s Birmingham club and rave scene. For me it was just a little bit over a year that I lived in London. These might have often been dank, crumbling, smelly old places, but they are where countless people enjoyed some of the most intense and vital moments of their lives. Home. Mass and Babalou, Brixton1996-2012Bearing in mind this pair of venues were hosted within Brixtons St Matthews Church, which leased the space to them, it was always pretty cheeky for Mass to host Torture Garden events in the crypt. We could party on until 1pm without worrying if the police were going to turn up, says Smokin Jo, who was resident DJ at the night. With the post-lockdown future of so many live music venues in doubt, Paul Tallings new book is a timely reminder of what we have already lost. We took a nostalgic look back at some of the capital's notorious nightclubs which have all closed since 2000. A dominant hair design was de rigueur. Then Dane Bowers went and ruined it all. 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