The arcade room downstairs 2. The clubbing map: What has happened to London nightlife? 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.. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The place was a really important hub for the fledgling dubstep family, says 6Music DJ Mary Anne Hobbs, who went to FWD>> religiously in the mid-2000s. Killjoy councils, student debt and stolen phones: the slow death of British clubs, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The single was written and produced by Ralf Ren Mau, and its cover artwork features . Some of the greatest nights of my life have been at FWD>> at Plastic People.. In the middle years of the 60s this was the place to be seen. Nuff Said. I remember Bagleys that was a long time ago. I will be following developments closely. A club with really innovative nights and for the hardcore Metalheadz on a Sunday night. 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. Its a shame that the ones boarded up or abandoned arent brought back to life. 8. It was the image I had in my head before we got there of what Heaven might be like and then this guy walked in. Bagleys started to go downhill for me after the drugs raid. 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. 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. It set the tone for mixed gay clubbing and for techno music especially to become more mainstream. We forgive all this because nightclubs in our fair city also provide some of the most euphorically happy moments of collective felicity and joy that well experience in the course of our lives. have always wondered where he is now and what hes up to. If anyone sees them please can you let me know? Then of course there was The Fridge, Studio 33, and some fantastic railway arch clubs buried away around London (Imperial Rooms in Camberwell New Road a particular memory). I was there solidly for several years and partook in all you have mentioned above (and more). Lead singer of the pop group Visage Steve Strange (left) pictured with Boy George at London's Limelight. 6. Clip ref DW0126681990s Ministry of Soun. For a year or so, this was an explosion of androgyny, increasingly bizarre and fabulous homemade fashion and lashings of clunky, proto synths. Surely he must be out by now. Gilles Petterson on Monday, Kenny Hawkes and Luke Solomon on Wednesday, Bryan Gee on Thursday, Garage City on Saturday. When record producer and DJ Paul Oakenfold went to Ibiza in 1985 to celebrate his birthday, he hired a villa and invited then-unknown DJs Nicky Holloway, Pete Tong and Danny Rampling. Its flagship night was Trade the original afterparty. The music was smooth and progressive, which moved into a feeling of just less than trance. magazine. Great article. The history of London's 10 greatest live music venues Great article Tom. Reliving my 20s again still with a younger GF (cliche alert) and the new wave of EDM. 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. 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The very social cafe upstairs, the dense dry-ice on the main floor with the mesmerising lasers, hottest guys, new bizarre sounds, the knowledge that the rest of England was sleeping and had no idea that such hedonism was taking place on a Sunday morning and night (you missed out Warriors) all fuelled after an initial polite and orderly wait in line to see Nick (is he out yet?) The sound shaft and heaven where legendary , as was the London Astoria, Fascinating to read about the origins and teams behind such monumental moments in Londons clubbing history. So many wonderful memories, so many great pills. 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. Great article. 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. No sensible drinking cautions, no smoking bans, and generally less moderation of everything. I found some of the pictures a couple of weeks ago including some rather x-rated ones. Find out what is now open where you live by putting your postcode into our handy widget below. Ive loved reading ur write up about the old clubs and the memories came flooding back with the pics!! The End on a Friday and Turnmill on a Saturday were more my thing. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Many clubs in London's West End (Gullivers, Gossips, Crackers, Africa Centre, the 100 Club) and areas like Hackney, Haringey, Brent, Ealing and Lambeth, were now creating a new experience of. Our journalists cover all the news you need - from City Hall to your local streets, so you'll never miss a moment. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Crazy night. Never crossed my mind that even the buildings would be gone. He was a sound guy actually. I dont think so. Seems quite a few people would like to get their hands on The Cross book dont suppose youve got a lockup full of a last, forgotten batch? Have to confess my favorites were Frantic at the Academy, and The Fridge. London nightclubs facing 'perfect storm' of threats . Ministry of Sound. The basement of 69 Dean Street, Soho, housed Gossips (formerly Billy's) nightclub, which hosted various one-nighters, the best known being Gaz's Rockin' Blues. 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. I frequented all of these bar Velvet and had many a great night in all. I lived in London back in the late 90s early 00s and went to all of these clubs. Thats brought back some memories. It was made for DJs by DJs and those who fumbled fumbled spinning the decks were quickly called out by the crowd. London's night-time economy is estimated to contribute 17-26.bn in . Limelight in Atlanta was also a place to see and spot celebrities over the years. Last minute gifts? Turnmills building being totally destroyed is the ultimate, inexcusable vandalism though. 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. Peter Gatien produced the 1993 film A Bronx Tale after having produced it as a one-man play. A string of London's best-loved night clubs have closed since 2000. It makes me feel quite sad how our communities are being transformed into bland faceless environments in some cases. 5. My walk to work takes me past what used to to be the entrance to Turnmills every morning it never fails to bring a smile to my face when I think of the good times I had there. Boy George was a regular at this New Romantics haunt which hosted some of the capital's biggest gay nights. OMG London clubbing in the 90s, was there ever a time in history that was better? Nowadays the capital's former red light district is swanky. Me and my brother went there, 2 days before we flew out to Zante in 1994. 13. My favourite break-time activity was to go up to the rafters and watch everybody raving. We list 18 things you might not know about the Limelight club, the building it was in and its links to the US. Its sudden closure came as a big shock to staff and owners; Network Rail turned up with angle grinders, cut through the metal shutters and took possession of the venue so it could go ahead with its station upgrade plans. Thanks for the article, brought back awesome memories! I Did the lighting and laser systems at turnmills for many different promoters. I used to be the membership girl at Freedom. When the lease ran out, Turnmills left amicably, leaving the buildings owners to develop the site into an office block. Redferns/Getty Images . 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. This made me rather emotional. Simon brought the three nights that were being run at Sublime, Beatfix, Cargo and Voodoo and moved its DJs (including Peewee Ferris, Nik Fish, Craig Obey, Bexta and Kate Monroe) into Home's Friday night. 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). It closed in 2010 to make way for housing, flats and a theatre, in a high street regeneration scheme. Top 5 Lost London Nightclubs of the 90s - The pace of progress eh? how about PLEASED on a wednesday at the Velvet underground !!! Today the building is, quite fittingly, home to an arts organisation with new plans afoot to take the arts venue into the future. 11 legendary London nightclubs that closed in the 2000s which are badly All the new secret location parties `I work in these days are usually stuck in cold,dirty and faceless arches. The Walkabout bar closed after its parent company went into administration in October 2009. The Whirlitzer seating in The Cross Garden 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 But Crossrail was the final nail in the coffin for the much-loved Soho venue. 4. 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. To order the clip clean and high res visit http://www.kinolibrary.com. 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. Then Dane Bowers went and ruined it all. Ruby Violet: NW5s pioneering ice cream parlour to close, Let It Roll Records closes. 18. The duo ran the popular basement club in Holborn for years. Councils across London are cracking down on late night licences. 27 photos from the '90s Birmingham club scene Turnmills chutney still so much messy fun. Thanks Liam. Where to find the February issue of Kentishtowner, Where to find the January 2019 issue of Kentishtowner, Where to find the December issue of Kentishtowner, http://www.amazon.co.uk/CROSS-1993-2003-Jonathan-CUTTING/dp/B0010786KI, http://wharferj.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/stealth-the-blue-note/. Something went wrong, please try again later. We will provide guestlist and table booking services absolutely free, and on top of these we can give you great benefits so you can surely enjoy your nightout. The Grosvenor Cinema opened in 1936. or one of his friends in the first arch of muscle-alley. Saw Joey Negro play there a few times. 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! We WERE there, we DID live it, and now were sentimental old bastards. By the mid-1990s the venue was no longer used as a cinema, instead functioning as a music venue, nightclub and snooker hall. By the 1990s gay venues across the country started to transform. We also ran revesceen magazeen 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. I remember them all so well!! 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. 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. Nick, the big bald black guy who always had a smile on his face, pretty much the master of ceremonies at Turnmills. Maybe we can campaign to put a blue plaque up on the inevitable bland glass front of its replacement I wonder what on earth it would say?! I stood at one and there was one in between us, unmanned. In the 90s, it was all about wild weekly. musical boundaries being broken, relationships being formed, inspiration etc, is then taken and truned into something else. Amen. It hosted huge weekend parties that were at hit with House music fans. 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. Reminded me of my mis-spent but highly pleasurable youth on the dance floors of a London. Do you remember these South West London nightclubs? We do have to move on though and surely there are opportunities for a new generation of people who want to create new nightclub venues, with fresh ideas. So goooood memories!!!! Cramming into clubs packed with big hair, booze and pounding music was a rite of passage in the 1980s and into the 1990s. The place has many special memories for many people. You can withdraw your consent or find out more by clicking on our Privacy Policy link below. 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. 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. Also an important indie music club, the venue a few doors down from Plastic Peoples original address hosted acts including the Klaxons, Kings of Leon, Courtney Love and Mika. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. When a property developer came along offering to buy the End and its sister bar next door, AKA, they decided to accept the offer. The End & AKA were a true second home. During the 1990s, photographer Steve Eichner documented the rowdy, over-the-top debauchery that was New York City's club scene and nightlife. The place declined to the point that, by the 1980s, it was a strip club but was bought out and re-styled as a members only A-list speakeasy in 2012, now attracting Noel Gallagher, Mark Ronson, Harry Styles et al. It always felt like it was on borrowed time after that. 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. -d(-L-)b-. 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. Electrowerkz was the name!!! In 1979 it was from this Covent Garden spot that the New Romantic movement came forth to rescue England from a music scene of lumpen post-punk mediocrity. Trying to find your mates Its a hardback coffee table monster, full of lovely photos and quotes. Jimi Hendrix played his first UK gig here, Paul McCartney, The Who, The Kinks, Rod Stewart and various members of the Stones all partied in this subterranean spot secreted down a cobbled mews behind Fortnum and Mason. Doesnt seem that long now. #5 Where could you find warehouse raving complete with funfair rides right in the heart of the capital? The clientele these days is more likely to include the sons and daughters of sheiks and potentates quaffing Cristal and dancing to mainstream RnB but the restaurant area (yes, this is one of those kinds of nightclubs) still sees the odd A-lister float by when theyre in town. Cheers Mike. Top 5 Lost London Nightclubs of the 90s - 88to98 Bagley's, King's Cross (1990-2008) Instagram The massive warehouse club in King's Cross was a close as you could get to a legal rave. Glad to have been part of that London dance scene. Ch N. Katz In Brick Lane was a small string and paper bag supplier until the late 1990's. Rising rents forced out the Owner after 57 years. Great article Tom. 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.