LISTINGS

CLUBS




Clubs: Working it

Inspired by its themed nights,

Jo Gardner parties on at Bethnal

Green Working Men’s Club

When you choose an off-the-wall venue to celebrate your birthday, there’s a certain amount of risk involved. Will your friends think the place you’ve chosen is as cool/hip/slightly ‘out there’ as you
do, or will the words ‘sad/tried hard/ weird’ spring to mind? Having been before, I was willing to take the risk. Besides, it’s my party...

What used to be a working men’s club
of the old kind, Bethnal Green is now
a late-night party venue, with cheap booze, themed nights and the same decor of yesteryear — think old chairs and tables circling a large, polished dance fl oor apexed with a bright red stage.

But what’s so special about this place isn’t the original Banksy painting on the side of the building or the slightly headscratching way of fi nding it, but the wholehearted nod to anything extraordinary. Be it 1950s, 1960s, punk, goth or 1940s post-war tea party, expect a full celebration of the weekly theme.

A lover of 1950s music, I donned a polka dot dress, some killer heels and a smattering of bright red lipstick for a ’50s extravaganza complete with skiffl e band, tattoo parlour, tea and cake, jive lesson and DJs spinning The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and Little Richard until the very early hours. And all for the bargain price of �8. Happy birthday! www.workersplaytime.net



CLUBS

12 ACKLAM ROAD

12 Acklam Road, W10 5QZ.

Ladbroke Grove/Westbourne Park

T: 020 8960 9931.
www.12acklamroadclub.net
Known by the fi rst line of its address, the home of quality house music in west London is located beneath the Westway motorway and hosts regular visits from Norman Jay.

54 MILE END

438 Mile End Road, E1 4PE.
Stepney Green/Whitechapel

T: 020 7790 4824.
www.bar54.co.uk
Sister to its Shoreditch namesake, the venue organises regular themes, with summers dedicated to being on the beach — hence the 1,000sq ft beach garden.


93 FEET EAST

150 Brick Lane, E1 6QL.
/ Liverpool Street/Aldgate East

T: 020 7247 3293. www.93feeteast.co.uk Open daily, it has everything from northern soul and indie to disco and electro.

333

333 Old Street, EC1V 9LE.
Old Street

T: 020 7739 5949. www.333mother.com
A varied music policy covers drum ’n’ bass, new rave, indie, electro, hip hop and disco.

ANNABELS

44 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 5QB. Green Park

T: 020 7629 1096. www.annabels.co.uk
This members’ club is so exclusive there isn’t even a front entrance. Celebrities and even royalty have partied here.


BABALOU

St Matthew’s Church, Brixton Hill, SW2 1JF.
Brixton

T: 020 7738 7875.
www.babalou.net
In the crypt of a converted church, resident DJs take proceedings through to 5am.

BAR RUMBA

36 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EP. Piccadilly Circus

T: 020 7287 6933.
www.barrumba.co.uk
Lively basement venue with nights featuring salsa, reggae, R&B, drum ’n’ bass, funk and soul.

BETHNAL GREEN WORKING MEN’S CLUB
44-46 Pollard Row, E2 6NB.

Bethnal Green

T: 020 7287 6933.
www.workersplaytime.net
Old working men’s club with themed evenings, including 1950s, 1960s and Gothic. Expect a dressed up clientele, live music and theatre productions on a red stage.

BOUJIS

43 Thurloe Street, SW7 2LQ. South Kensington

T: 020 7584 2000. www.boujis.com
Winner of several London Club & Bar Awards and a favourite with celebs, Boujis is the place to be seen. Located in Kensington,
it serves up a wide selection of drinks, including an impressive cocktail list.

CAF� DE PARIS

4 Coventry Street, W1D 6BL.

Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square

T: 020 7734 7700.
www.cafedeparis.com
One of London’s most famous venues, Caf� de Paris celebrates its 85th birthday in 2009 and continues to host packed-out club nights. Themed evenings change on a weekly basis.

CAMOUFLAGE

84-86 Wardour Street, W1F 0TA.
Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square

T: 020 7734 1053.
www.vpmg.net/camoufl age
This venue has been furnished by interior designer Sean Clarkson — everything is white, from the lustrous fl oor and the ivory walls to the chic alabaster furniture.


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48 W2L SUMMER 2009