Arch 69,
Goding Street,
Vauxhall,
London,
SE11 5AW
0871 971 4545
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
Barcode Vauxhall is a fashionable gay club and bar that serves as a much needed meeting place in the disparate Vauxhall Gay Village, as well as offering a relatively (by Vauxhall standards) low-key night out in its own right.
The Venue
This is an ultra sexy and chic club-bar that opened in summer 2006 and galvanised the collective of gay venues and club nights known as the Gay Village. Barcode Vauxhall is the younger sister of the original Barcode in Soho.
Inside this former railway arch, amidst the minimalism and vibrantly coloured mood lighting, Barcode Vauxhall boasts two large bar areas with a dancefloor. Upstairs on a mezzanine floor you’ll find a modish chill out lounge, which overlooks the dancefloor. The venue has a state-of-the-art sound system, rumoured to have cost £300,000. A decent air conditioning system means that even when the music’s scorchin’ you shouldn’t be. There’s also free internet access until 8pm every day.
The Atmosphere
Expect plenty of eye candy and a heady ambience complete with pulsating lighting and smoke machine. The clientele at Barcode Vauxhall are usually in the twenty-to-thirtysomething age bracket, but at certain times it’s a pretty diverse bunch with pre-clubbers mixing with bears, locals and those who have popped in for a drink after work.
The Music
Thanks to the sound system, quality music is the raison d’etre to Barcode Vauxhall. Expect party-starting RnB or funky classic and contemporary house from a rotating line up of big name scene DJs including Alan X, Per QX, D’Johnny, Faye Lanson, Elliot J Brown and Luke Hope.
The Drink
The usual suspects including Becks and Fosters lager, Bacardi, Gordons gin, Bells whiskey and Smirnoff vodka. However, of most note, is the daily happy hour until 7pm, when bargains include deals like a double house spirit and mixer costing £3 and bottles of Becks or Fosters by the pint for £2 each.
The Last Word
Whether you’re cranking up for a really big night out (head for the dancefloor) or want to wind down after work (flee to the first floor chill-out lounge), Barcode has something to offer.
Barcode Vauxhall has been reviewed by 2 users