The iconic London nightclubs we've loved and lost over the years

Reporter, LondonWorld

Published 12th Aug 2024, 14:58 BST

Updated 25th Feb 2025, 09:50 BST

From The Cross in King’s Cross to Plastic People in Shoreditch, we’ve taken a look back at 10 beloved London nightclubs that have sadly closed down.

London is known for its rich nightlife, but the night time economy has taken a series of hits over the years due to factors like the pandemic and recessions.

A recent report by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) highlighted the devastating impact the cost of living crisis and the pandemic has had on the night time economy.

The figures revealed that 3,011 nighttime businesses closed down in the London region between March 2020 and December 2023.

In the city of London, the report showed that 1,608 businesses had to close their doors during the same period.

During the 2000s a number of London’s best loved venues closed their doors for a number of reasons from crime to gentrification.

We took a nostalgic look back at 10 of the capital's notorious nightclubs which have all sadly closed their doors.

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Madame JoJo's was once owned by porn baron Paul Raymond and started out as a burlesque club. It later became a staple for Central London's "fringe-culture" community. Sadly it had its licence revoked after a "serious incident of disorder" in 2014

1. Madame JoJos, Soho (1960-2014)

Madame JoJo's was once owned by porn baron Paul Raymond and started out as a burlesque club. It later became a staple for Central London's "fringe-culture" community. Sadly it had its licence revoked after a "serious incident of disorder" in 2014 | Getty Images

The Four Aces (1966 – 1997) was a pioneering music club in Dalston, and one of the first venues to play music rooted in African and Caribbean cultures in the 1960s.

By the 1990s it became home to early indoor rave scene, where the Prodigy made their first public appearance.

Despite a campaign to save it the club was closed down in 1997 due to a compulsory purchase order from Hackney Council.

2. Four Aces Club, Dalston (1966-1998)

The Four Aces (1966 – 1997) was a pioneering music club in Dalston, and one of the first venues to play music rooted in African and Caribbean cultures in the 1960s. By the 1990s it became home to early indoor rave scene, where the Prodigy made their first public appearance. Despite a campaign to save it the club was closed down in 1997 due to a compulsory purchase order from Hackney Council. | David Corio

Astoria in Charing Cross Road was London's largest live music club for years. The historic venue, which hosted the likes of Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and Nirvana, was bulldozed in 2009 to make way for the Elizabeth line.

3. The Astoria, Soho (1976-2009)

Astoria in Charing Cross Road was London's largest live music club for years. The historic venue, which hosted the likes of Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and Nirvana, was bulldozed in 2009 to make way for the Elizabeth line. | Getty Images

Boy George was a regular at The Fridge when it first opened. It then became famous for its nights hosted by Soul II Soul. It closed its doors in March 2010 and reopened as Electric Brixton in September 2011.

4. The Fridge, Brixton (1981-2010)

Boy George was a regular at The Fridge when it first opened. It then became famous for its nights hosted by Soul II Soul. It closed its doors in March 2010 and reopened as Electric Brixton in September 2011. | Universal Images Group via Getty

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