London’s Best Clubs
London’s nightlife is the main theme of countless legends. And rightfully so. Londoners seem to have as reason in their top 10 lists of why they live here the fact that in London all guns are constantly blazing; you might have though during the week and never find time to just sit in one places but the same goes for weekends and nights – in the capital life reaches 100% and in order to do and see all there is, you’ll need to reincarnate at least a couple of times. And keeping in mind that London’s night offers are a thrill to any resident for years and years, imagine what it is to tourists. We know how important tourists are in the city and how confusing there experience could be with all those possible choices. And here is why, any local searching for tonight’s adventure or any traveler eager to taste the capital’s night spirit should take the time and get acquainted with the best clubs in London to have an all-night party that is not comparable to any other.
Fabric
Fabric is heaven of electro lovers. It has been listed everywhere as a top London club for a reason. With the very first step into Fabric any visitor, experienced or not, would take notice of the blowing away sound system – Fabric’s sounding is one of the best in the world using only newest technology with features most appropriate for the bass of electro music. And Fabric’s glamour isn’t restricted only to the technology; every weekend the clubs opens its doors for eager clubbers who go out seeking live nights. Each Friday Fabric presents drum & bass, dubstep and hip-hop DJs, Saturdays you can hear house and techno performers and Sundays are saved for the all night going WetYourSelf parties which last until 8 a.m. And what is best about the club’s choice of performances is that it invites to the scene many world known names but also seeks underground musicians just on the verge of being discovered which are always fresh and worth it. As if that is not enough for a visit, Fabric still chooses to take care of details and offers high quality service with all of its other features which, we must admit, is very hard to find at a night club. Plus, regarding the type of venue it is, the prices at similar clubs and the quality of alcohol usually served, Fabric seems to charge good prices for what you order – not low but worth it. Take a peek at the clubs program Here.
Address: 77A Charterhouse St, London EC1M 6HJ
Prices: Around £7-30 ticket (depending on the event); around £8 for a regular drink
Koko
KOKO is a London night venue praised by all, not surprisingly since it is amazingly well-suited for countless purposes. Since 2004 we’ve seen it host private shows, wild night clubbings, international awards, long-awaited concerts, small gigs, cabaret evenings, private parties – you name it. KOKO has a rich historical meaning, obviously it used to be a theatre and even after it’s stopped being one, the venue’s refurbishments were more than one and surprisingly – always successful. Its décor and architecture attract many visitors and probably they are also the main reason KOKO’s allows so various events to be appropriately hosted. It is not the biggest club we’ve seen but that’s exactly the source of its charm, you can spend an exciting night and leave after sunrise yet during all the time spent there, you don’t feel as if left in a cold grey storage, most of London’s clubs can’t manage to shake that feeling off. And the theatre stage and balconies are just perfect – the place offers the whole audience a chance to see and participate in everything happening on the scene. Of course, if the experience in KOKO doesn’t have that final touch of attentive staff and nice spirits to serve, it wouldn’t be a top London club…
Address:1a Camden High St, London NW1 7JE
Prices: Around £6-20 tickets (depending on the event), £8 for a regular drink.
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound is a true pioneer. I would be surprised to meet a Londoner, regardless of the age, who hasn’t heard this name. Taking pride in being the first club in London to host house music performances and probably the first ever to count so much on brilliant sound systems, Ministry of Sound is a night venue like no other, with much experience, received much love from regular visitors and had much time to improve more and more. Be careful if you’re not one of those regulars but a first time visitor, there is a good chance to get lost – Ministry of Sound’s territory is large, featuring multiple bars, for dancefloors, some balconies and a great VIP suite. You can choose the club for your long desired meeting with world’s top performers dwelling the main scenes or try out something less known and probably new at some of the smaller premises, but what is the best about Ministry of Sound is undoubtedly the VIP area. Be sure that competent and helpful staff will be looking after your throughout the night, every need you could have will be met and after the night is over you will already have made plans when to come back. And all that comes at a rather reasonable price (given what you get, it’s not for free but it’s worth the price).
Address: 103 Gaunt St, London SE1 6DP
Prices: £8-25 tickets (depending on the event), £7 for drinks.
XOYO
This London Club maybe climbs up to the first place of the latter when it comes to respected venues. For 5 years now XOYO has endeavored to provide the best quality music experience with no discrimination to genres. XOYO has always found a way to attract top DJs not even for a one night performance but for several consecutive weeks announcing an exciting program for months to come. Everyone can find something for themselves at XOYO and whatever you picture your night like, this club is a safe choice. You can take a walk around the two floors and decide between all the performers at XOYO, even if you feel up for a party on a week night you can still go to XOYO and be pleased to find talented bands and singers keeping the mood up to its fullest for night owls. And what we shouldn’t forget when it comes to this night club is the peculiar fact that it is inhabited by surprisingly amiable crowds – I guess you can relate to my past experience of being surrounded by grumpy, sour and rude fellows who seem to have gone out just to dispense of their demons at others’ expense – but almost unbelievably, XOYO’s crowd is made up of smiley and well-behaved clubbers.
Address: 32-37 Cowper St, London EC2A 4AP
Prices: £8-25 tickets, around £10 for drinks, £2,50 drinks on student nights.
Egg London
House music lovers’ dream is to move to Egg London and never have to leave. Yes, with its 24 hour license, Egg London is the place you go to with no plans of ending the night soon, it could even turn into a next night. Housed in three floors, beautiful garden and a large terrace perfect for smokers, this club is a venue that screams about all the thought put in creating it. Don’t be hesitant because of Egg’s size – even with so many square meters it manages to create a well-balanced inviting atmosphere while not taking the thrill out of it. Expect the best of the best at Egg London – kind and competent staff, they can solve any problem and respond adequately to any request; immaculate sound system quality combined with top DJs and flawlessly organized events. The best stories I’ve heard of rave parties ending well after sunrise are situated in Egg London and for those wanting to lose a few kilos on the dancefloor – this club is the place.
Address:200 York Way, London N7 9AX
Prices: £10-30 tickets, around £10 for drinks
Studio 338
The perfect mixture of underground and classy suberbness – Studio 338 combines all the best features of different night clubs. Many things about Studio 338 are loveable – its location, its size, its covered terrace,its expensive and exquisitely executed refurbishment; all features that make it a pleasant experience to visit the club even if it’s daytime and nothing is actually happening inside. But Studio 338 compliments its glossy decor and makes sure that reviews will not only be flattering when it comes to interior and placing but tales will be told about the club all around London. On weekend nights clubbers from all over the capital, and even outside it, gather for unforgettable nights of live music. You can come across various genres and in order not to be disappointed, as every person can rate their night as complete boredom for nothing more but the inappropriate music, take the time to check out the club’s program and choose what best suits you. You can be sure that many of the DJs come exclusively to Studio 338 when visiting the UK and if you hear of a favourite performer coming, don’t hesitate – there might be a next time too soon. With all of these offers at Studio 338 your night is also perfected by the friendly and caring staff and by relatively well-behaved crowds – pretty much nothing excessive has ever happened at Studio 338 when it comes to ‘coclubbers’. And for all this, the prices are completely justified.
Address: 338 Boord St, Greenwich, SE10 0PF
Prices: £7-50 tickets (depending on the event); £8 for a drink
Corsica Studios
The most charmingly dark London club I’ve ever been to. Don’t worry, it’s not too underground like those filthy smelly pubs around London that call themselves clubs, Corsica Studios has managed to create a seductive, foggy and mysterious vibe all around the place and many electro lovers describe being on the dancefloor of Corsica Studios as being on a movie scene. If you’re wondering whether Corsica suits you – any fans of house, techno, disco, dubstep and drum & bass are more than welcome and will undoubtedly include the club in their top lists from their very first visit. For the ten years it has been functioning Corsica Studios has managed to build a strong reputation and thus attracts many world known DJs for raving up until 8 a.m. The place is a perfect venue for celebrating a special occasion or taking a blissful night off of London’s hustle and bustle; welcoming yet industrial atmosphere, friendly staff, large dance floors and truly excellent sound systems. And I must mention that prices for London are very reasonable in Corsica Studios.
Address: 4/5 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1LB
Prices: £3-18 for tickets, £5 for drinks
The Nest
Another electro whiz. The Nest is this lively always working place you go to when you are determined to ask yourself the question how did you get home the next morning. And I don’t mean this in a bad sense, The Nest’s alcohol is of great quality, it’s just the feeling of the place, the crowd, the music, the lightning that makes you go as wild as you can. The music genres to listen to at The Nest are the usual suspects again – house, drum & bass, techno, etc. Needless to say that DJs and bands at the club are top rank and parties are always organized with attention to detail, much care of the decor, The Nest’s sound system is one of the best in London and the overall grade you would give to this club if you choose to stay for one of its famous parties would undoubtedly sound even more excited than mine. It’s surprising that with all this industrial features like electro music, dark dancefloors, space for crowds and so on, The Nest has succeeded in preserving an intimate atmosphere. That makes it perfect for a visit with a couple of friends which share your music interests or on the other side – a night adventure with a big group on search of meeting even more fellows. To be honest, fellows at The Nest are a bit too much, you should prepare with appropriate clothes because temperature can get too high in there and when a crowd is too much, your mood is inevitably influenced but still, even with that flaw, The Nest cannot be left out of any Top Clubs rank!
Address: 36 Stoke Newington Rd, Dalston, London N16 7XJ
Prices: £8-20 tickets, £7 for a drink
Electric Brixton
This rather newbie at London’s night scene, opened its doors in 2011, is one of the best night venues in London exactly because from the first few weeks of its existence Electric Brixton achieved very very enviable rates and numbers of visitors. And for a reason, one million was spent on the refurbishment of the former ‘The Fridge’ so that it could turn into this love of London. Money has obviously been poured into sounding – Electric Brixton’s system is one of the newest top quality technologies – and also the stunning visual effects which really bring the place a sense of uniqueness, you cannot compare it with any other London scene. You’ve probably heard of many non-Londoners who come all the way to capital for the main reason of spending the night at Electric Brixton, and even if tourists haven’t chosen London as their destination firstly because of the club, it still is in their to do lists. Electric Brixton is not only newly constructed but is big enough to house all kinds of events and do it with style. Live acts, gigs, events – you can choose among countless parties to take part in at Electric Brixton, just take a tour through their program. And a finish line – be assured of the staffs nonintrusive persistence in doing their jobs just perfectly.
Address: Town Hall Parade, Brixton, London SW2 1RJ
Prices: £20-40 tickets (depending on the event), £10 for drinks.
100 Club
A bit different from the typical industrial party house for electro music, 100 Club is an adorable venue which combines mass nights with scenes for music lovers. Many Londoners are well familiar with the club as it is one of the oldest who opened in London. Ever since 1942 (yes, a lot of years…), with its current name since 1964,it has hosted memorable night events and performances of long term world legends in jazz, blues, soul, rnb and more – Billy Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Sex Pistols, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney…Even with a couple of clouds threatening the club with closure, this amazing venue has survived for almost a decade. The basement able to hold a crowd of 350 now brags with a great scene, expressive decor, selected visitors and having hosted countless gigs. If you’re not the typical raver looking for a crowd to dive in and give to electro music, you can be sure you’ll find a somehow old-school yet up to date regular wanna-be place filled with many similar souls to yours. The architecture of the club is another plus – live performers can be easily seen from pretty much any point of the venue so no visitor is left out and it’s never too hot because of the great air conditioning everyone appreciates at 100 Club. Aside from caual gigs, a night at 100 Club may also host a secret gig and not a not a minor one – such have been the gigs of Metallica and Rolling Stones for example, so keep an eye on the club and ask around; other events like comedy or theme nights are also an option and the fun is guaranteed. And with all that, 100 Club offers some very affordable prices for their quality spirits; the staff working at this historical figure of London’s nightlife is also competent, attentive an really approachable. Check out the club’s events here and have yourself a music experience to remember!
Address: 100 Oxford St, London W1D 1LL
Prices: £7-25 for tickets (varies if more popular musicians are guests), around £5 for a drink
The Silver Bullet
And the last club I’m going to include in this post would be the unmatched Silver Bullet. Silver Bullet is not like any other club; it’s not the first name that comes to mind when you ask a Londoner about the best rave parties that can be found and it’s not associated with such mass industrial night scenes but here is exactly where the club’s magic draws its strength from. The Silver Bullet is a peculiar place where all week parties with excellent live music are a must, sound systems are of high quality, dancefloor and decor are immaculate yet you don’t enter a huge crowd. The club keeps a rather homey/neighborhood tune while offering the bests clubbing nights. And what’s best about the live music, aside from the fact that live nights are from Monday to Monday and then again, is that the music choice is unlimited – hip-hop, house,reggae, soul, jazz, grunge, rock, anything you could think of. After you find your cup of tea and head to The Silver Bullet you’ll also be pleased by the affordable prices they still keep, regardless of the club’s popularity or its location. And there are also nights especially for students where drinks come at an even better prices. If you’re not a student you could try the open mics nights or some other theme event at The Silver Bullet; even if you go for a completely casual Tuesday night and have some Venezia Pizza which the club offers, be sure that you time at the club will make your whole week. A London’s must for every free soul.
Address: 5 Station Place, London N4 2DH
Prices: £2-7 for drinks, £10 for a pizza, usually £3 for entrance.
London definitely has more significant venues and the nightlife at the capital is a sea of unexpected trips, I advise you to swim through it as much and as often as you can. But if you’re still at the beginners level – at least now you have some points to start of with some of the best there is! Check the programs, pick a music genre, look through some photos and order a cab!
