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

Lynn Rusk
By Lynn Rusk

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.

Get the day’s biggest headlines, straight to your inbox, with London World’s free email newsletters.

The Cross was a nightclub in York Way, Coal Drops Goods Yard, between 1993 and 2007. The Cross was known for long-running monthly promoter residencies, with DJs such as Judge Jules becoming resident. Paul van Dyk, BT and Tiësto performed there before the height of their fame. The Cross closed down in 2008 as the site had been listed for re-development as part of the regeneration of King's Cross.

5. The Cross, King’s Cross (1993-2007)

The Cross was a nightclub in York Way, Coal Drops Goods Yard, between 1993 and 2007. The Cross was known for long-running monthly promoter residencies, with DJs such as Judge Jules becoming resident. Paul van Dyk, BT and Tiësto performed there before the height of their fame. The Cross closed down in 2008 as the site had been listed for re-development as part of the regeneration of King's Cross. | WJDB

The Kingsland Road venue was once "the coolest bar around" and regularly hosted big name DJs. Hackney council revoked the club’s licence following an undercover operation into drug dealing at the venue.

6. Herbal, Shoreditch (2000- 2009)

The Kingsland Road venue was once "the coolest bar around" and regularly hosted big name DJs. Hackney council revoked the club’s licence following an undercover operation into drug dealing at the venue. | Instagram

Plastic People was a long-running, highly influential nightclub that fostered many of the UK’s most celebrated dance scenes. Through its FWD>> nights, it became the spiritual home of one of the last homegrown music scenes in the capital. With the venue’s license due to expire in the near future, the club took the decision to close its doors. According to its owners, “the time felt right to move on”.

7. Plastic People, Shoreditch (2000-2015)

Plastic People was a long-running, highly influential nightclub that fostered many of the UK’s most celebrated dance scenes. Through its FWD>> nights, it became the spiritual home of one of the last homegrown music scenes in the capital. With the venue’s license due to expire in the near future, the club took the decision to close its doors. According to its owners, “the time felt right to move on”. | Dave Swindells

SeOne was once billed as London's largest licensed nightclub with a capacity of 3,000 people. It known for big-name Saturday nighters as well as regular Moondance raves. On February 22 2010 it officially closed down due to financial difficulties.

8. SeOne, London Bridge (2002-2010)

SeOne was once billed as London's largest licensed nightclub with a capacity of 3,000 people. It known for big-name Saturday nighters as well as regular Moondance raves. On February 22 2010 it officially closed down due to financial difficulties. | Ewan Munro

Previous
2 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:LondonNightclubsPandemicCrime
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice