Club entertainment in Europe
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Liquid
Guys and gals board their metal steeds on hot summer nights to bear down on one of the top outdoor club scenes in town (or rather out of town, since it’s in neighbouring L’Hospitalet de Llobregat). Liquid says what it is. A palm-studded islet is surrounded by a bottom-lit azure moat that tempts surprisingly few folks to plunge in while dancing the night away in this megaclub. Local and foreign DJs keep the punters, a mixed crowd from all over town, in the groove in a series of different internal spaces, as well as poolside.
reviewed
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B
m1 Secret Lounge
An American-owned, industrial-chic cocktail den where polished concrete and stainless steel contrast with candlelight and plush purple sofas, M1 attracts lots of English-speaking expats, well-heeled locals and the occasional visiting celeb (absolutely no stag parties). Wednesday nights are ladies’ nights, while Fridays see a regular set from US DJ Big J, a dance-floor-filling mix of R&B, house and hip-hop.
reviewed
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C
Night Flight
This continues to be one of Moscow's most popular spots for business travellers on expense accounts, despite - or because of - its dubious reputation. Indeed, it's hard to miss the crowds of working women hanging around this club. Nonetheless, the restaurant continues to receive rave reviews, thanks to Swedish ingredients and chefs. And the dance floor is always hopping. No cover charge for restaurant guests.
reviewed
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Araf
Grungy English teachers, Erasmus exchange students and Turkish language students have long claimed this as their favoured destination, shaking their booties to the in-house gypsy band and swilling the cheapest club beer around (a mere TL5). To avoid the locals’ weekend mating madness and capacity crowds, go on Tuesday or Wednesday.
reviewed
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KitKatClub @ Sage
This 'kitty' is naughty, sexy, decadent, listens to techno and house and fancies leather and lace, vinyl and whips. Berlin's infamous erotic nightclub currently hides out at Sage Club with its multiple dance floors, shimmering pools and fire-breathing dragon. Check the website for dress code instructions.
reviewed
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F
El Son
If you’re looking for salsa, merengue or some sexy tangos, look no further than El Son. This is the top place in town for Latin music and it’s very popular with Madrid’s South and Central American population. Live concerts Monday through Thursday keep the place packed all week long.
reviewed
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Propaganda
This long-time favourite looks to be straight from the warehouse district, with exposed brick walls and pipe ceilings. It’s a café by day, but at night they clear the dance floor and let the DJ do his stuff. This is a gay-friendly place, especially on Sunday nights.
reviewed
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Essential
Rīga's hottest club is a spectacle of beautiful bodies boogieing to some of Europe's top DJ talent in three dance chambers. Overzealous security aside, there's no safer bet if partying till dawn is your mission. Sorry, no local beer - just Coronas. Drink cocktails.
reviewed
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Le Clan
A decadent French-accented after-party club, with DJs on two floors, lots of bars, cosy armchairs and myriad rooms stuffed with ‘VSPs’ (Le Clan’s own acronym for Very Strange People). It’s usually got a good, racy vibe.
reviewed
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Max’s Bar
Max is a gay Rome institution, and its unthreatening, welcoming vibe, backed by a hip-wiggling soundtrack of commercial house, is what has endeared it to so many men for so long.
reviewed
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Granada 10
A glittery converted cinema is now Granada’s top club for the glam crowd, who recline on the gold sofas and go crazy to cheesy Spanish pop tunes.
reviewed
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Cantina Club
DJs spin everything from deep house to Afrobeat and hip hop at this pumping underground club. The street-level restaurant cooks up Tex-Mex food.
reviewed
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Metro
Metro attracts a casual gay crowd with its two dance floors, three bars and very dark room. Keep an eye out for shows and parties, which can range from parades of models to bingo nights (on Thursday nights, with sometimes-interesting prizes). On Wednesday nights there’s a live sex show.
reviewed
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Lechuguita
A modest nightlife zone centres on Calle Los Remedios with the ever-popular tapas bar Lechuguita .
reviewed
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Soul Sugar
Soul Sugar plays funk, disco and house into the small hours, and serves great cocktails.
reviewed
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Tresor
The techno pioneer is back in the dark industrial maze of a former power station.
reviewed
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Ronnie Scott's
London's legendary jazz club has been pulling in the hep cats since 1959.
reviewed
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Insomnia
For a night of hedonistic pleasure, travel to far-flung Tempelhof, south of Schöneberg, the home of Insomnia. This late-19th-century ballroom has been reincarnated as a classy playground of passion presided over by SM and fetish queen Dominique. Besides the dance floor and big-screen Andrew Blake porn, there are performances and various pleasure pits, including a whirlpool, a bondage room and gynaecological chair. Saturday’s Circus Bizarre is good for first-timers; Sundays are reserved for couples and their playmates. The special-themed sex parties during the week are for more advanced players; many require preregistration.
reviewed
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The Most
If you want to party like the novy russky (New Russians) this is the place for you. It is certainly among the most expensive, the most exclusive and the most extravagant clubs in Moscow. Located in the basement of a fancy French restaurant, its post-industrial space is decorated with baroque architectural elements (think gold-framed mirrors bedecking red brick walls, and crystal chandeliers suspended alongside black iron pipes). Girls in gowns groove along the catwalk overlooking the dance floor. The place is co-owned by Roman Abramovich, the most rich and famous of all New Russians. PS – face control; the most.
reviewed
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Q
Necco
Recently, a new phenomenon has come to Kuşadası: the beach club. Functioning as a beach club during the day, they transform themselves by night into a restaurant, followed by a lavish nightclub-on-sea. Two such places can be found on the way to Pigeon Island. Considered the hippest (and the first on the scene) is Necco. It's very popular with the well heeled and well-dolled up.
To get here, take a dolmuş towards Kadınlar Denizi (Ladies Beach). It can drop you at the roundabout from where it's a short walk. On foot, ask the locals for the handy shortcut (about 1km from town).
reviewed
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Comedy Store
One of London's first comedy clubs, featuring the capital's most famous improvisers, the Comedy Store Players, on Wednesdays and Sundays.
reviewed
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Last Days of Decadence
A brand new club that opened in the height of the recession, this is a place that celebrates the 1930s through its heady, abandon-fuelled parties and through its Great Depression–inspired name. Not that it sticks to 1930s music, however – you’ll find regular nights hosting DJs such as the out-there trannie DJ Jodie Harsh on Fridays’ Circus, and Last Days of Decadence’s eponymous night that mixes up D&B, nu-rave and jungle. On a quieter note, there are free jazz gigs on Tuesdays, and Monday nights are life-drawing classes – £10 a go.
reviewed
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Stubu Dancehouse
This long-term Bremen institution has spread its wings and now offers five different spaces over three floors, from the traditional 'music club' in the basement to the new Skyline area, with house, funk and chart hits. Stubu is on a street of wall-to-wall clubs, including the huge, ex-multiplex La Viva (cnr Rembertiring & Auf der Brake). Many Bremers, however, dismiss this area as largely for 'teenies'.
Clubbing in Bremen is relatively cheap; expect to pay around €4 to around €8 at the door for regular nights, although special events may cost more.
reviewed
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Passing Clouds
One of those little flickers of nightlife brilliance, Passing Clouds is a ‘members club’ that actually hosts massive parties open to everyone (admission around £8) and go on until the early hours of the morning. The music is predominantly world oriented, with a lot of African influence and regular Afrobeat bands; the parties are a healthy mix of DJs and live music with a multicultural crowd that really makes you feel you’re in London. The decor is makeshift bar, colourful lanterns and tropical titbits, and the atmosphere is just exhilarating. Well worth checking out.
reviewed
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Berghain/Panoramabar
It’s the best club in the world, according to Britain’s well-regarded DJ Mag, and we have no problem seconding the hype. Only vinyl masters such as André Galluzzi and Ricardo Villalobos heat up this hedonistic bass junkie hellhole inside a labyrinthine ex-power plant. The upper floor (Panoramabar, aka ‘Pannebar’) is all about house; the gay-leaning big factory hall below (Berghain) pounds with minimal techno beats. Strict door and no cameras. In summer there’s a beer garden for daytime chilling.
reviewed
