In a nutshell...
Ministry is THE London superclub – a survivor of the '90s big club era still firing on all cylinders, 25 years on.
Where is it, then?
Just behind the university exit from Elephant & Castle tube. Take a left out of there and then second left takes you on to Gaunt Street.
What’s the vibe?
The biggest names in dance music play there every weekend, so it’s a rite of passage for most clubbers.
What makes it a great venue?
The sound, basically. The club was designed to mimic the legendary sound and vibe of New York’s Paradise Garage. Nowadays main room ‘The Box’ boasts a muchvaunted Dolby Atmos soundsystem, which can make it feel like DJ heroes like Kerri Chandler or Yousef have taken up residency inside your head. In a good way.
What’s the booze situation?
There’s a pretty standard selection of beers and spirits. The prices are reasonable for a London club, but if you wanted a cheap pint (or indeed, any kind of pint), you’d be in the Wetherspoon’s near the station. Nobody’s going to Ministry for ale.
What’s coming up?
On Fridays it hosts ever-popular trance session The Gallery, while upcoming Saturdays have John Digweed and Lauren Lo Sung coming up at the Bedrock 18th anniversary label bash, plus Chase & Status And Friends this Saturday.
What’s the most legendary thing that’s ever happened there?
After 25 years, there’s more than a few tales. How about the ‘From Dusk till Dawn’ launch party back in 1996, when the club was renamed ‘The Titty Twister’, there was free tequila and The Prodigy played live? (Bowie was apparently there too, but recollections are understandably vague). One night in 2010 saw Danny Tenaglia playing until 9am, when diehards in The Box were joined by the MOS cleaners, probably the only ones present who didn’t want ‘one more tune’.
Previously: So you've never been to... The Magic Roundabout?
