Best disco nights in London
By Joe Roberts, London Lite 07.08.09
Disco is officially back, and with the kind of image change Prime Minister Gordon Brown probably dreams about nightly. Once relegated to the soundtrack of wedding receptions, London's underground clubs have broken the stereotype of flares and Afro wigs to make disco the flavour du jour again — but with a twist.
We're not talking about Seventies theme nights here but contemporary dance music heavily influenced by disco, electro and funk. And while it encompasses a wide range of sounds, from string-laden epics to early house, you don't need to know the difference between Italo, cosmic and Balearic to join in the party. Here's our pick of London's best new disco parties.
Horse Meat Disco
This is arguably the pioneering club behind disco's revival. Since its beginnings in 2004, the Sunday night shenanigans have quickly gained a cult following, attracting a mixed crowd of fans and an international list of DJs. Horse Meat recently brought NYC Downlow, a recreation of Eighties New York complete with a cast of drag artists and leather boys, to Glastonbury and its debut mix album is available this month.
Horse Meat Disco, every Sunday, The Eagle, 349 Kennington Lane, SE11. 8pm to 3am, £5 (horsemeatdisco.co.uk)
Disco Bloodbath
Disco Bloodbath is the new boy on the block. Name-checked by Vogue as the hottest nightspot, residents Ben Pistor, Dan Beaumont and Damon Martin have quickly grown from their Dalston basement roots to hosting festival tents and even hitting Ibiza this summer.
The next Disco Bloodbath is on 5 September at a secret east London location(myspace.com/discobloodbathdisco)
Low Life
Growing out of a series of Harlem house parties in the mid-Nineties, Low Life now brings its take on classic New York nightlife to a dedicated crowd of thirtysomething clubbers. Run by authors and DJs Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton — the brains behind DJ History, a website packed with interviews, news and disco music in all its many forms — their warehouse and boat parties run only a few times a year so tickets sell out fast. Sign up to the mailing list for their themed parties of Seventies, Eighties and Nineties sounds.
The next Low Life party is the Halloween bash on 25 October (djhistory.com/lowlife)
Heartbeat
Proving that the pulse of disco is alive and well way out west as well as in east London, Heartbeat is a free weekly session that maps the point where old-school disco meets classic house. Launching at the start of the year in Kensal Rise, its home is The Paradise. Resident Wandy is joined by a range of guests, with old house heads Stuart Patterson, Steve Proctor and Ashley Beedle from X-Press 2 among those to have joined the fun. Arrive early or call ahead to reserve yourself a space.
Heartbeat, every Friday, The Paradise, 19 Kilburn Lane, W10. 9pm to 2am, free
Spangles
Set in an old pub in the heart of Shoreditch, Spangles is the work of Luca C, guitarist of post-punk group Cazals. Luca's love of vintage disco can be heard at this fortnightly Sunday spot. With other monthly nights held across London, expect NY disco and early Chicago house mixed with rock and other Seventies oddities.
The next Spangles is on 30 August. The Macbeth, 70 Hoxton Street, N1. From 8pm, £4
Hustle
Named after a style of Seventies dancing, this monthly party brings you the best in disco, early house and electronic delights. The Horse & Groom has a reputation as one of the best hard-partying eastern venues.
The next Hustle is on Friday, 21 August. The Horse & Groom, 28 Curtain Road, EC2. 8pm-4am, free
Caligula
Despite opening only a few months ago, Caligula has already had roadblock queues by midnight. The night is run by Leo Belicha and DJ Jim Warboy, whose past ventures include fashionable nights Kashpoint and All You Can East. Music from
hi-energy and party classics to nu-disco.
Fridays, The Bathhouse, 8 Bishopsgate Churchyard, EC2. 11.30pm until 5am, free before 12.30am, £6 after
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