Where to cut a rug in London?

July 18, 2009 4:13 AM

I love dancing, but loathe the typical club scene. Where can I go to have a great night out in London?

In my previous life in Canada, I used to love going out dancing, up to 3x/week at one point. I'm now struggling to find similar fun in London. In my old age (30), I tend to avoid the heaving queues, aggression and meat-market atmosphere of big clubs. I prefer dancing to music made by humans (indie, rock, funk, Motown) rather than dance music with a heavy beat. I like clubs where people don't take themselves too seriously, but find the British love of flailing self-consciously to "cheese" (ironic Girls Aloud, etc.) uninspiring. I have had a reasonably good time at Madame JoJo's. Barn dances and ceilidhs are also fun in moderation.

Where can I go to be with other people who love dancing like idiots to good music? It doesn't matter if it's a mazurka club for gay pensioners, I just want to let my hair down once in a while.

posted by stuck on an island to sports, hobbies, & recreation (5 comments total)

There used (early 90s) to be a wonderful Portuguese place in Bayswater. I think it was a restaurant/café upstairs but every night the lower ground chairs and tables were pushed to the walls and everyone got up to dance to a great variety of music (salsa, etc.).

I've googled but it's been a long time (might not still be there), just thought it might jog someone's memory.
posted by ceri richard at 4:23 AM on July 18

100 Club used to have good soul and R&B with an entirely non-scene crowd just there to enjoy the music; this was years ago, so checked their website and the FAQ answers Do you have a DJ? with "Always on a Friday and Saturday. Friday's tends to be '60s R&B, Stax, Motown, classic rock, reggae, ska and blues with a smattering of rock 'n' roll. Saturday's is Jazz, Soul, '60s R&B and Easy Listening. The DJ's play before, during and after the live acts." Might be worth checking out but as I say I was last in the place well over a decade ago.
posted by Abiezer at 4:35 AM on July 18

I was going to suggest Lost and Found at JoJo's but see you've been there already.
posted by laukf at 5:23 AM on July 18

In Islington I liked anambar on Chapel Market for the atmosphere. Dancing varies night-to-night. Better was the Winchester. Different floors with different types of music if the cheesiness gets to you. A slightly older crowd (late 20s?) as well.
posted by k8t at 9:40 AM on July 18

How about the Ceilidh Club at Cecil Sharp House on Primrose Hill? It runs on Friday nights through the summer, and the crowd there is a mix of young singles, people on dates, groups of mates, Scottish dancing enthusiasts, families with children...

It's a really fun night out: no velvet rope/face control at the door, no VIP-set -- just people looking to let their hair down and learn a bunch of (surprisingly exhilirating) dances.

Will follow this thread with interest!
posted by laumry at 9:18 AM on July 19