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. I will be following developments closely. 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). In 2018 it was bought by chain The Deltic Group and given a. Egg Sando, Panadera: Londons best 4.50 sandwich? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. They also gave these out at the closing party in a goodie bag with a poster and a sleeping mask! After all, it did have a capacity pushing 4,000 people and a 24-hour drinking licence. The brand name is constantly evolving and the club continues to survive despite numerous threats of closure. 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. Went to all of them, I think Turnmills shades it for me for atmosphere, but I probably had my best nights out at the End. George Michael often arrived at the nightclub accompanied by a woman before he came out as gay. Something went wrong, please try again later. Many a themed student bash was hosted at London Bridge's notorious Cable Club in the mid 2000s. It was the place to go. Despite pioneering an anything goes party culture in London, by the late noughties, the buzz was fading. Taking Ecstasy for the first time and experiencing the euphoria of the blissed out Balearic beats at Space nightclub, Oakenfold and his wife Jenni came home and tried to re-create it in a 300 capacity basement gym on Southwark Street. 3. next. By the 90s, everyone from Desmond Dekker to the Prodigy had played there. We went to the opening night of Fabric. Top 5 Lost London Nightclubs of the 90s - The pace of progress eh? Wednesday 10 June 2015. Its hours ran from 3am to 1pm on a Sunday afternoon, handily catering to the predominantly gay crowd who wanted to carry on partying after clubs like G-A-Y and Heaven closed. Sir Bob Geldof had his stag do at Limelight, In 2010 a group which was known for squatting in large homes and embassies moved into the the building, restore and redevelop the former chapel into flexible performance space, won planning approval from Westminster council to upscale the venue into a major performance venue, 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 - while it is the first list of 'worst towns' not to include Slough in ages, BBC Radio 2 bombarded with complaints after 11-word thank you message to Ken Bruce, Listeners thought the veteran presenter deserved a better send-off, The 'secret' South London market that's one of the city's best where Black traders thrive and everyone is welcome, A weekend market showcasing Black businesses has been growing strong since 2018, London's 'best' play up for top award with tickets for just 25 and but you only have a few weeks to see it, Based on the story of a social media sensation, this play has already picked up awards, Asda shoppers go crazy for 28 compact air fryer that's 'unbeatable value' and can take on Ninja and Tower, The George at Asda has 1,300 five star reviews on the supermarket's site, Fall Out Boy playing intimate London gig at Europe's biggest LGBT+ club, The American rock band chose the venue in homage to the grassroots punk rock and alternative scenes born in London, The underrated London neighbourhood where 'all the cool young hipsters are moving' and TV property guru reckons house prices will rocket, New Cross has new coffee shops popping up all over the place, The underrated seaside town named one of the coolest places to live where all the Londoners who have moved there are known as DFLs, According to one local Ramsgate is a 'lovely' place perfect for families, The beautiful seaside town near London so isolated it feels like you're in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, Dungeness is only two hours away from the city and makes for the perfect weekend getaway, London Underground commuters in stitches at suggestions for 'Code 9' meaning - here's what it's actually for, Londoners took guesses at what the code means, and some of their responses were hilarious, The 6 skyscrapers that could have been built in London that would've been way taller than The Shard, London's horizon may have looked very different if these developments went ahead, Beautiful hidden village most tourists have never heard of with one of UK's best hotels, This small but beautiful village holds its own with one of the best hotels in Europe, Heathrow and Gatwick: The 34 European countries UK travellers will need a 6 visa waiver for, Baby found dead 'in plastic bag under nappies' as parents appear in court, Police said officers had been unable to identify the gender of the baby, The neighbourhood which is 'immune from gentrification' as businesses drop their prices, Local residents insist that Catford 'can't be gentrified', ULEZ expansion could be halted if Rishi Sunak grants councils new power, The Prime Minister is being urged to back a new bill giving councils a greater say on Sadiq Khan's plans, Croydon's new tallest skyscraper 50-storeys high is getting a giant play wall 34 flights up, The development of more than 900 new flats is due to be completed by the end of 2023, Kate and William could move home again after Harry and Meghan evicted, A royal expert says a property shakeup could affect the royal couple after King asked the Sussexes to give up Frogmore Cottage and Prince Andrew to downsize, London Bridge 'chaos', 'disastrous' timetable change and MP 'death' warning - Calls for TfL to take over Southeastern trains, London Overground and the Elizabeth line prove that TfL can operate train services that cater to Londoners everyday needs," says London Assembly Labour Elly Baker, Dad hides his face under jumper as he's brought into court after death of baby, The two-month-old baby was found under a pile of nappies in a plastic bag, Stephen Bear jailed for vile revenge porn video of Love Island star ex, He will now face 21 months in prison after posting the video on his OnlyFans and sharing it on Whatsapp, Fears new Sainsbury's will 'kill' East London high street shops as 4 close due to sky high rents, The supermarket giant wants to open a Sainsbury's Local on 70 Wapping Lane and plans to sell booze from 7am to 11pm every day, Chris Kaba's family waiting for answers 6 months after he was shot dead by police, His family have called for an urgent decision on criminal charges after the 24-year-old was shot dead by a firearms officer, ULEZ expansion could be halted if Rishi Sunak grants councils new power against 'unfair tax', The Fun Lovin' Criminal by The Fun Lovin' Criminals: "I am always optimistic about human relations, I got more friends than my man Peter Gatien", Foundation" by Jay-Z: "Me and my operation, running New York nightscene, with one eye closed, like Peter Gatien", Dynasty by hip-hop group The Diplomats: "Meet Jimmy Iovine, give me my cream Shapiro, Peter Gatien, relation Spot a club in L.A just to touch it up". A perfectly acceptable thing to do at the time. I remember one of their selling points was drinks at pub prices. The works. 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. 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. Its flagship night was Trade the original afterparty. Thanks Liam. Its a hardback coffee table monster, full of lovely photos and quotes. It had its licence revoked after a "serious incident of disorder" in 2014 and its closure left many Londoners with heavy hearts. LuvDup were djing (one of them fell over on the stage), Princess Julia was stood by the decks dancing. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. I would also like to add The Blue Note to this list of sadly missed. This week, Boris Johnson has been considering a decision that will affect the future of Londons most famous nightclub. 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. I would work a ten hour shift at a newspaper then drive to Bagleys to spend 5/6 hours talking to ravers, taking photos of people, checking they werent eating their tongues and giving out free condoms (Durex sponsors had given us hundreds of boxes of the things). OMG London clubbing in the 90s, was there ever a time in history that was better? Cans of beer 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. I remember them all so well!! 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. I discovered house music whilst on holiday in Ibiza in 1990 and after that London was the only place on my to move to list. The single was written and produced by Ralf Ren Mau, and its cover artwork features . 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. It always felt like it was on borrowed time after that. Me and my brother went there, 2 days before we flew out to Zante in 1994. Stealth on a Thursday night, marvellous http://wharferj.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/stealth-the-blue-note/ (1989) "Megamix". The first Limelight club opened in Hallendale, Florida in the 1970s and after a devastating fire later that decade, Gatien opened his next Limelight venue in Atlanta. Its really sad that the times have achanged and in a reflection of this, all these fantastic places are being bulldozed. Wonderful write up of some of the clubs that paved the way for the scene today. Its also a shame to lose 93 Feet East recently too. 15. The End just had to be #1 An earlier version said incorrectly that the Turnmills site was developed into flats. Remember one night trying to adjust the needles for them not to jump on the vinyls. During the 1990s, photographer Steve Eichner documented the rowdy, over-the-top debauchery that was New York City's club scene and nightlife. But in London most places turf revellers out well before 4am and there's a severe lack of "after hour" options. Fictional clubs. Great article, and Ill second and third and fourth what has been said here. All this created the friendliest and most fun crowd on the clubbing scene. 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 couldnt do it now, but I so glad I did it all then. New venues although arguably more suitable in some considerations like Matter just dont possess the necessary special ingredient like the late great Turnmills anymore. Even more so for you, of course! 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. It was the venues teen parties that got it into hot water, however, when police found evidence of underage drinking there in 2009. Best crowd ever! It closed in 2010 to make way for housing, flats and a theatre, in a high street regeneration scheme. The West End establishment started out as a burlesque club but later became a staple for Central London's "fringe-culture" community. London Boys singles chronology. However, its worth taking a moment to remember that nightclubs, by their very essence, shouldnt outstay their welcome. There are new plans to take the building into the future - but we really miss how it used to be. I also have a book given out on The Ends 10th birthday which is a coffee table book but still good. 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. 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. 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. There were a couple of years I was there 8 nights out of the Christmas/ New Year season. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. 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. Fantastic to look through it every so often and remember what wasa very much loved and much missed club . Limelight in Atlanta was also a place to see and spot celebrities over the years. All rights reserved. musical boundaries being broken, relationships being formed, inspiration etc, is then taken and truned into something else. The venue hosted international DJs as well as some seminal club nights such as broken beat fix Co-op and dubstep-founding FWD>>. When the lease ran out, Turnmills left amicably, leaving the buildings owners to develop the site into an office block. Kids going out today wont realise its a tragedy, but it is. A great club pre-2001. A great venue Well, sort of in fairness as all venues involved being pretty blitzed. It was almost impossible due to vibration from the soundsystem Later feeling sick in the stomach because of the same reason. Between 1987 and 1990, when police pressure forced its closure, Shoom was where the London dance club as we know it today was born. 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. Former DJ Magazine Deputy Editor Tom Kihl investigates what happened to the clubs that once dominated London's nightlife. Pretty sure the very last ones got dished out at the end of that rather special final bash, Xmas 07. A club with really innovative nights and for the hardcore Metalheadz on a Sunday night. Founded in an old bus garage in 1991, its far from salubrious location deep in pre-gentrification Elephant and Castle gave it genuine edge. Lots of good memories but it was living on borrowed time even back then in the early 00s. 11. Believe it or not King's Cross was once the party hub of London. Reminded me of my mis-spent but highly pleasurable youth on the dance floors of a London. Despite a big campaign to save it, the club fell victim to a compulsory purchase order from Hackney council to build a new cinema. But Crossrail was the final nail in the coffin for the much-loved Soho venue. Throughout the 90s and 00s the venue attracted party-lovers from far and wide and also played host to a number of big-name acts. 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). 10. A dominant hair design was de rigueur. It became louder and louder. You'll get 12 stories straight to your inbox at around 12pm. The arcade room downstairs 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. Those that were there will never forget and those that werent would wish they were if they knew. 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! London Night Guide is your nightlife concierge for the most best clubs in London. Ask Billy if there are more? Memorable days and nights. 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. Nobody came to Plastic People for the glamour or dcor. The Astoria, Soho1976-2009Not even Londons largest live music club could stand in the way of the Crossrail development. Its industrial settings and position in the centre of London made it a unique offering. I was a fresh of the boat straight laced Kiwi lad who was let loose in London in the mid nineties , I was lucky to become a promoter of Fevah and Fahrenhite ,I was blessed with bring able to run events in most of the iconic venues , experience the glamour and the seedy side of all , to me the cream was either the sound shaft or the London Astoria , but have so many sensational memories and adventures from most . I will never stop thinking it was incredible. And there are also some intriguing facts about the nightclub's sister venues across the pond. Thanks for the article, brought back awesome memories! Fact is we WERE around when these incredible bastions of modern culture were in their pomp negotiating a route through the tunnel room at Turnmills, walking up that incredibly long slope towards the cab rank at 5am after The Cross and getting hopelessly lost in those pokey rooms at the bottom of Bagleys. You can withdraw your consent or find out more by clicking on our Privacy Policy link below. We need a new visionary. All the London clubs now are appearing and disappearing like mushrooms. 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. Memories of its glamorous showbiz past as one of the places to be seen in London in the 1980s echo around through the wall of this beautiful piece of architecture. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. best dominic madden, Sundays @ The End with The A corner crew slapping the walls to Malcom Duffy. 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. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. 9. These cookies do not store any personal information. The End on a Friday and Turnmill on a Saturday were more my thing. My favourite break-time activity was to go up to the rafters and watch everybody raving. 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. From the Kinolibrary archive film collections. Our journalists cover all the news you need - from City Hall to your local streets, so you'll never miss a moment. Im amazed u didnt mention that John Newman was the father of both Danny and Paul Newman. Then Dane Bowers went and ruined it all. Ive had experiences at all of these nightclub venues and brought back many memories reading your article. The Soul City nights in Covent Garden were also really good. Thanks Tom sad to read but glad youve documented. Clip ref DW0126681990s Ministry of Soun. I remember Bagleys that was a long time ago. 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. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. For more news and featuresabout London directly to your inbox sign up to our newsletter here. Nice read Scary thought that Ive actually worked at all of them!!! Lead singer of the pop group Visage Steve Strange (left) pictured with Boy George at London's Limelight. Limelight in London was one of a string of Limelight clubs owned by Canadian Peter Gatien - other Limelight clubs in the chain were in Hallandale in Florida, Atlanta, Chicago and New York City. Even if we cant and possibly shouldnt prevent their almost inevitably fleeting existence. Boy George was a regular at this New Romantics haunt which hosted some of the capital's biggest gay nights. Trying to find your mates 10. It was 2 for a beer which was great value at the time. Keep us up to date with how your inspiration is getting on. It is quite sad seeing a place that holds so many memories for whatever reasons e.g. 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. Luckily they are putting up a great fight, so Ministry wont find itself demolished just yet. We set the standard for many years I wonder.. What can we create next >?? Best London Club and Rave Venues that are now closed This week, Boris Johnson has been considering a decision that will affect the future of London's most famous nightclub. However, I do hold dear the fact I took advantage of the last ever NYE at The End..needless to say Laurent Garnier did not disappoint:).