Hope youre healthy and happy Gaz ran a weekly night there from. After all they shaped todays society in one way or another. Now can you expand on one for the rest of London please, would love to see Club UK brought back to life if only in words! Sat 30 May 2020 17.00BST Good to see http://givingupdrugsforlent.tumblr.com/ in full swing again this year. For more news and featuresabout London directly to your inbox sign up to our newsletter here. All this created the friendliest and most fun crowd on the clubbing scene. I used to go to Whoop it Up every Friday during 1998-2002; it was a fantastic place to go. Cans of beer Its really not surprising nobody has any sense of ownership or love for these places, because both promoters and punters are using them on such an ad hoc basis. 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. 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. In the 90s, it was all about wild weekly party Love Muscle, one of the capitals most renowned gay nights. Nowadays the capital's former red light district is swanky. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. It later became the Cat's Whiskers club, the Ritzy then Caesars Nightclub. I think the last great night I had in a bigger club was Shelter at Egg in 2005. Whats in the new July issue of Kentishtowner? Crazy night. All rights reserved. The massive venue had a 24 hour drinking licence and a 4,0000 people capacity. Boy George worked the cloakrooms, Spandau Ballet played their early gigs here and you simply (for better or worse) would never have heard Ultravox or Visage were it not for the Blitz Club. He was about 50 years old and massive. With a capacity of barely 200, the vibe, somehow, always kept its intimate, non-exclusive air. Our journalists cover all the news you need - from City Hall to your local streets, so you'll never miss a moment. 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. I (just about) have wonderful memories of all 5 of those venues. A great article , and so sad that many of these truly iconic places may be but a memory in the minds of millions . The reality of the Swinging Sixties was that about 45 people were having an incredible time around Carnaby Street while the rest of the country continued drinking stout in working mens clubs and listening to Val Doonican. In the past 15 years, some of best-loved venues of the London club scene have shut their doors, for reasons ranging from crime to gentrification and Crossrail. Best crowd ever! 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. George Michael often arrived at the nightclub accompanied by a woman before he came out as gay. 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. A single noise complaint from posh new residents would threaten their licence and spell the end of one of the last remaining superclubs from the 1990s dance music explosion. People may rave about London's nightlife, but compared to other big cities, clubs and bars shut early and are expensive. The Cross, bouncers nicking you gear *unts. so much fun should be illegal. MyLondon's brilliant newsletter The 12 is absolutely jam packed with all the latest to keep you keep you entertained, informed and uplifted. Today, bar the indefatigable fabric, its secret warehouse parties all the way invariably cold, austere and over crowded, with awful sound and non existent facilities (one toilet between 500, anyone?) A real eye opener, that night. Kids going out today wont realise its a tragedy, but it is. I frequented all of these bar Velvet and had many a great night in all. have always wondered where he is now and what hes up to. Isnt that, now, the Apple shop? We had amazing nights, including joint parties with labrynth and raindance. Home. Big small club! During the 1990s, photographer Steve Eichner documented the rowdy, over-the-top debauchery that was New York City's club scene and nightlife. Didnt boy george have a residency there? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. -d(-L-)b-. Nice read Scary thought that Ive actually worked at all of them!!! It was like a small amphitheatre with the DJ the absolute centre of attraction, he says. Would have kept going there for anniversary, shame its closed but glad weve done it all at the best times, Im an Aussie that worked the doors at imperial garden, car wash gigs, sunny side up, cafe de Paris (wanky but fun). 2021-2023 - Luxury London. Stir some memories with these photographs from the '90s Birmingham club and rave scene. musical boundaries being broken, relationships being formed, inspiration etc, is then taken and truned into something else. The place has many special memories for many people. The Grosvenor Cinema opened in 1936. 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Bring your dancing shoes and prepare for a night packed with tunes from the likes of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Beyonce and Jay-Z as we introduce the best R&B events . Remind trade on sat nite dj smokin joe the paradise at angel station the lazerodrome in peckam carl cox at m.o.sound crazy nite misss you. The plan was to go up there, see someone and come back. It had to close due to Network Rail redevelopment in 2013. Last minute gifts? Ive loved reading ur write up about the old clubs and the memories came flooding back with the pics!! Bob Geldof had his stag do at Limelight before he married Paula Yates, George Michael (pictured here in 1992) was often seen at Limelight with a woman on his arm, Inside the former Welsh chapel which was once home to the Limelight nightclub. Its sad though, as these were truly iconic clubs I am not from UK, but had a chance to party in Turnmills and The Fridge at their best times I felt everyone is equal kind of things there. Clubs in Mayfair London are the most prestigious nightclubs in town. Oasis performed their debut London show at The . Written by. The exterior of Hammersmith Palais nightclub in 1968 when it was still known as Hammersmith Palais de Danse . We set the standard for many years I wonder.. What can we create next >?? Breaks my heart to see whats happened. Losing those places feels like losing a family member never to return. #5 Where could you find warehouse raving complete with funfair rides right in the heart of the capital? 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. I also have a book given out on The Ends 10th birthday which is a coffee table book but still good. Hailed as Kilburn's "last late night venue", The Good Ship announced its closure to the dismay of comedy and live music lovers across London in September 2017. Glad you like it Phil. But we've been getting all nostalgic and wishing we could have a final drink at Limelight. The site on Curtain Road is now the uber-cheesy Sunset cocktail bar and offers VIP Packages underneath a branch of the burger chain Hache. Electroworks (I think this was the name?). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Behind the clubs infamous pitch-black curtains, the dance floor was like the vortex that drew you bodily and consciously into a completely free space. Sorry the plaque should be pale blue with a Dove on it. Its also a shame to lose 93 Feet East recently too. All the new secret location parties `I work in these days are usually stuck in cold,dirty and faceless arches. The End just had to be #1 Something went wrong, please try again later. Its really sad that the times have achanged and in a reflection of this, all these fantastic places are being bulldozed. I completely agree would be a fitting tribute to see them all immortalised appropriately in some way. Sad to see the old clubs flattened, but everyone clearly took so much from their experiences there that I hope the post is also a real celebration. So blessed to have lived through that experience and a special mention to my ex Alan and DJ Chris McKoy. Ruby Violet: NW5s pioneering ice cream parlour to close, Let It Roll Records closes. Great memories of perhaps the greatest clubbing/club music period history has known! End of story.. No sensible drinking cautions, no smoking bans, and generally less moderation of everything. In 1987, Rachel Macmillan, granddaughter of the Conservative prime minister Howard Macmillan, died aged 31 after a night at the Limelight. the cross in king cross the best partyever is vertigo italian style, thanks Joel glad you like Electric and the Van Dyk show smashed it. I had some of the best days of my life there! London nightclubs facing 'perfect storm' of threats . 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 Great article. Keep us up to date with how your inspiration is getting on. Getting lost The West End establishment started out as a burlesque club but later became a staple for Central London's "fringe-culture" community. Me and my brother went there, 2 days before we flew out to Zante in 1994. 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. Memorable days and nights. The licence was subsequently restored, but the business was unable to avoid going into administration. 12. Demonstrators protest against the closure of Madame JoJos, in 2014. mixed the burlesque glamour of Soho with Londons contemporary music scene, Speaking to the Guardian after its closure, Marcus Harris, Hackney council revoked the clubs licence, the capitals biggest modern developments, stand in the way of the Crossrail development, taking the scalp of the Metro with the same swoop of the sword that ended the Astoria. Happy days. I think great venues have heritage. 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. Some of the greatest nights of my life have been at FWD>> at Plastic People.. Im surprised The Gardening Club wasnt there. In its 80s heyday, Limelight was one of London's top nightclubs and a hangout for the decade's biggest celebrities. The small room was great. After all, it did have a capacity pushing 4,000 people and a 24-hour drinking licence. Before and during the Second World War, most lesbian bars and clubs were found in central London. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Founded in an old bus garage in 1991, its far from salubrious location deep in pre-gentrification Elephant and Castle gave it genuine edge. The venue hosted international DJs as well as some seminal club nights such as broken beat fix Co-op and dubstep-founding FWD>>. http://www.amazon.co.uk/CROSS-1993-2003-Jonathan-CUTTING/dp/B0010786KI. A bare room with the most rudimentary of bars at one end (cans of Red Stripe or nothing) in a Hoxton basement, the place came to prominence in the Nineties and Noughties as an incubator for dubstep and for possessing one of the greatest sound systems ever owned by a nightclub. The immovable object of the London clubbing scene. Fantastic and long-needed article, thanks for bringing back the memories. 9 nightclubs and bars in Croydon we miss that have closed since 2000, 16 small music venues we miss that have closed in London over the last 30 years, The social distancing app that lets you check how busy places are before you go, BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce fans think they've spotted hidden meaning in the song choices at the start of his last ever show, The Radio 2 presenting legend has said he is being forced out early, Seaside town not far from London named one of UK's most beautiful places but it could be underwater in 40 years, Those stunning views could disappear within a few decades, South London pub in one of the city's coolest neighbourhoods taken over by chain leaving regulars 'heartbroken', EXCLUSIVE: Staff at the 20-year-old pub have no idea if they can stay on, Woman names the most 'miserable' places to live in the UK and there's outrage at the 'pretty' London borough she put in the top 5, Among the top 10 were a leafy London borough and Harry Style's hometown - 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It was one of the premiere south London nightspots of the time, with Glenn Miller, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin among the top names to grace its stage. And since the turn of the Millennium some of our city's best party establishments have had to close. Hearing those tunes led to me pestering the record shops for a record I didn;t kow the name of, who it was by but it went something like this Mmmm, mmm,mm uh-uh dah-dah! Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. . At the Astoria I met a bloke who ended up being my significant other for a decade. Madonna, Bjork and Kate Moss all turned up over the years and versions of Trade popped up in Ibiza, New York and LA. I was just chatting away, when I heard this rhythmic, squeaking sound, along with heavy, thundering footsteps. The club was renamed Canvas in 2003, when Billy Reilly took over the club, also opening the Key and the Cross next door, creating a golden triangle of clubbing in N1. Sign up to our weekly email. RM 2HTCTTN - Ace Cinema, Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane, Harrow, London, 1983. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. In the 1980s some clubs opened up in Earls Court, where the rent was cheaper. And some ex-boxer DJ? The Shim Sham Club, which opened on Wardour Street in the mid-1930s, was described as 'London's miniature Harlem'. Despite quality residencies from the likes of Hospitality and a body kinetic dance floor, the club eventually closed due to financial difficulties, blamed on delays with the upgrade to the Jubilee line. For drum and bass legend Fabio, who hosted Swerve, the clubs midweek blowout, every Wednesday, it was one of the first clubs in London built by DJs for DJs. Bagatelle Card Club - One of Colonel Sebastian Moran's clubs in the Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Empty House. The historic venue, which hosted game-changing concerts from the likes of Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and Nirvana, was bulldozed in 2009 to make room for a bigger ticket hall at Tottenham Court Road tube station. One for you beer and one for the otherThat place was magic. thanks for the article, spent many crazy nights/days in all of these places, Velvet Underground aside. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Nuff Said. The spot is now a lap dancing club called The Red Rooms. Lashana Lynch: Its inspiring to see a young black woman on screen not be perfect, The biggest films coming out in 2023 and when theyll be released, Bulgari to open Serpenti exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. Cables enraged founder Euan Johnston, who also founded nearby SeOne, said: We were assured when we moved in that we would not be affected by the redevelopment and Network Rail have simply changed their minds We have been brushed aside at every level.. I lost my marbles in all of these places in the 90s. I lived in London back in the late 90s early 00s and went to all of these clubs. It set the tone for mixed gay clubbing and for techno music especially to become more mainstream. He was a sound guy actually. So many wonderful memories, so many great pills. Hes right. Cue acid house, bucket hats, baggy T-shirts and lots of sweat. Electrowerkz was the name!!! 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. I remember them all so well!! Fantastic to look through it every so often and remember what wasa very much loved and much missed club . But in London most places turf revellers out well before 4am and there's a severe lack of "after hour" options. The pictures are quite shocking, but their club history often deliciously more so. It hosted huge weekend parties that were at hit with House music fans. From sweaty rave spots to Soho institutions, these are the iconic nightlife haunts we most miss. Great article Tom. Last modified on Tue 2 Jun 2020 05.49BST, Photograph: Ray Stevenson/REX/Shutterstock, Photograph: Dick Barnatt/Redferns & Paul Talling, Photograph: Paul Talling & Ilpo Musto/REX/Shutterstock, Photograph: Ray Stevenson/REX/Shutterstock & Paul Talling, Photograph: REX/Shutterstock & Paul Talling, Photograph: Paul Talling & Marc Sharrat/REX Shutterstock, Composite: David Corio/Redferns & Paul Talling, Photograph: Paul Talling & David Corio/Redferns, Photograph: Brendan Beirne/Rex Shutterstock & Paul Talling, Photograph: Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock, Photograph: Paul Talling & Ray Stevenson/REX/Shutterstock, Photograph: Suzie Gibbons/Redferns & Paul Talling, Photograph: Ray Stevenson/REX/Shutterstock & Paul Talling, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thanks Liam. Great article. They also gave these out at the closing party in a goodie bag with a poster and a sleeping mask!