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Towards the end of last year I became aware of a London night club which styled itself “The worlds longest running dark scene night club”. Dark Scene? What could that mean to a 68yr old geezer who was more club footed rather than a “tripper of the light fantastic”. I thought it might provide some interesting competition fodder for camera club nights. They were suspicious. Why would I want to come and photograph it? What would I do with the output? And so on. The more they demurred the more I itched like a scabby donkey left out in the baking sun. Eventually I talked them into it. They were nervous…no more than me now that I had talked them into letting me in with my cameras,
The first night I went, the doors opened at 10pm (about 4hrs past my bed time! And I wasn’t sure I would make it ’til 5 past). It was bloody marvellous. I had never seen people dress like the folk that came here to club the night long
There is a very strong gay scene at the club and they have gay men only nights called “roast”. I asked what time roast was served…..I was thinking beef, crispy roasted spuds, Yorkshire pud and all the trimmings. A bit late eating for me but I was game. Er, it’s not what you think, said they. Don’t ask and we won’t tell said they. There were also signs for the “Dark Room” on another floor. I asked it I could take photos there. They said I couldn’t ….because it was dark, but my 68yrs of life sensed another reason. Having stood outside the door to the room I could hear what sounded like baby seals being clubbed to death! Hasty retreat.
There were 4 floors of music …all going BOOM BOOM BOOM. Genre’s I had never heard of before but was certainly hearing now.
By about midnight I was busting for a pee but was nervous about going to the loo. Having squared my shoulders and taken a deep breath I walked in. For a split second it went silent..like when the good cowboy walks into the bar of disrepute. It was a fog of vape of all flavours and guys in various stages of, er…contact. With a sudden insane bravado I shouted out “F**k me, it’s every straight guys nightmare”. That broke the ice and we all had a chuckle. Whist I was at the urinal doing my thing they kept shouting ”Look out…behind you”
In actual fact, the place was somewhere that, if you were a bit “different” you could be so without getting your face punched in. You could dance, drink and meet someone you might want to spend your life (or 5 minutes) with very safely. There were people from all walks of life, all descriptors of the LGBTQ+ spectrum and all races.
The shots I have attached pretty much represent the clientele. In fact, the owners liked the output so much they have invited me back and now pay me to ply my hobby.
I eventually rolled out of the doors at 6am, my ears ringing…maybe even bleeding and made my way home. So, here are a few of the edits for now. Maybe more later if you can stand it
Towards the end of last year I became aware of a London night club which styled itself “The worlds longest running dark scene night club”. Dark Scene? What could that mean to a 68yr old geezer who was more club footed rather than a “tripper of the light fantastic”. I thought it might provide some interesting competition fodder for camera club nights. They were suspicious. Why would I want to come and photograph it? What would I do with the output? And so on. The more they demurred the more I itched like a scabby donkey left out in the baking sun. Eventually I talked them into it. They were nervous…no more than me now that I had talked them into letting me in with my cameras,
The first night I went, the doors opened at 10pm (about 4hrs past my bed time! And I wasn’t sure I would make it ’til 5 past). It was bloody marvellous. I had never seen people dress like the folk that came here to club the night long
There is a very strong gay scene at the club and they have gay men only nights called “roast”. I asked what time roast was served…..I was thinking beef, crispy roasted spuds, Yorkshire pud and all the trimmings. A bit late eating for me but I was game. Er, it’s not what you think, said they. Don’t ask and we won’t tell said they. There were also signs for the “Dark Room” on another floor. I asked it I could take photos there. They said I couldn’t ….because it was dark, but my 68yrs of life sensed another reason. Having stood outside the door to the room I could hear what sounded like baby seals being clubbed to death! Hasty retreat.
There were 4 floors of music …all going BOOM BOOM BOOM. Genre’s I had never heard of before but was certainly hearing now.
By about midnight I was busting for a pee but was nervous about going to the loo. Having squared my shoulders and taken a deep breath I walked in. For a split second it went silent..like when the good cowboy walks into the bar of disrepute. It was a fog of vape of all flavours and guys in various stages of, er…contact. With a sudden insane bravado I shouted out “F**k me, it’s every straight guys nightmare”. That broke the ice and we all had a chuckle. Whist I was at the urinal doing my thing they kept shouting ”Look out…behind you”
In actual fact, the place was somewhere that, if you were a bit “different” you could be so without getting your face punched in. You could dance, drink and meet someone you might want to spend your life (or 5 minutes) with very safely. There were people from all walks of life, all descriptors of the LGBTQ+ spectrum and all races.
The shots I have attached pretty much represent the clientele. In fact, the owners liked the output so much they have invited me back and now pay me to ply my hobby.
I eventually rolled out of the doors at 6am, my ears ringing…maybe even bleeding and made my way home. So, here are a few of the edits for now. Maybe more later if you can stand it
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. If I manage to, for want of a better expression, escape, I'll PM you straight away. Thanks Pete!
