184 Camden High Street,
London,
NW1 8QP
0871 971 6524
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Electric Ballroom
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I used to love this club, and went there dozens of times on a Saturday night. Alas I am now slightly too old for this place - it is a studenty venue, otherwise I would still be going. I am not a goth or alternative type, and can only comment on the Saturday commercial night not the metal nights. The club is reasonably large (no cramped Mayfair basement here) and on several levels with an outside terrace. So why did I love it so much? The answer is that this was a place where you were guaranteed to pull - me and my mates pulled virtually every time we went. The girls are unpretentious and up for it, the staff are friendly. It's one of those typical, unsophisticated WYSIWYG Camden places. If you are a youngster aged under 25 I heartily recommend it. It may have changed since I last went a couple of years ago (and felt so old I decided not to go again).I still walk along Camden high street to this day, and look over longingly at the rowdy teenagers queuing outside the Ballroom on a Saturday night with a tear in my eye remembering those good old days when life was so simple... sniff, whimper... Oh stuff it I'm going again even if I am 29!
We were expecting a night of 60s 70s 80s and 90s music. We were very very disappointed!! The doormen and women were very rude especially the women when they search you I know they have a job to do but it could be more pleasant. I am going to phone the ballroom to complain about them. The music was more up to date than any earlier the only time we heard 70s music was at the start of the night which was 10pm till about 10.30. I'm sure that's false advertising. Plastic glasses are a good idea here as people were throwing them in the crowd and one hit me on the head, im sure the crowd upstairs were throwing them too. The drinks were watered down and the bar staff didn't have good people skills either. I will not be returning here!!!! Electric ballroom take note of most of your reviews!!
I LOVE THIS PLACE! It's one of the best clubs I've been to while staying in London. Cover is not super expensive and the drinks aren't that expensive either. It's also in Camden, so it draws a cool crowd. I've been to both Sin City night (rock and heavy metal) and Shake (pop/hip hop/70s and 80s) and they're both great. I was told by a regular of Sin City that it's not what it used to be, but I still found it fun.
The people that go there are a lot more chill and it just makes you feel more comfortable. Loads of cute guys, too! (And hot girls...)
Security on Saturday night is a bit of a downer, but just follow the rules and you'll get in without any problems. (Bring your ID, don't wear trainers, unless they're Converse apparently)
It sucks that a lot of people seemed to hate the Electric Ballroom, but I personally LOVE it. I plan on going back on all the weekends I still have in London.
I personally would like to give this place no stars. I been attending the Electric Ballroom for a number of years and as time progresses its gets worse and worse. As an avid heavy metaller, it would be safe to assume that rocking out, headbanging and moshing would be perfectly acceptable, but no, it isn't nowadays, as a result you get kicked out for what looks like having a slight bit of fun. I dont know whats happened to this place, it used to be a great laugh with a great crowd but now like most music these days, its souless. So, if you like your drinks nicked by the staff, your jacket emptied when you hand it in, and the bouncers to physically assault you (yes, this did happen to me, and no I didnt start it) then this is the place for you. I was worried years ago when this place was going to be shut down, but now, I hope it does!
If I could put no stars then I would, they are lucky to get one. I have to agree with a previous reviewer about the door policy, it's one of the worst I've ever experienced. A mixed group of us went last night but two of the guys weren't allowed in. No reason was given, what kind of place doesn't give you a reason and to make things worse, its their door policy NOT to give you a reason. We weren't even drunk, dressed smart, over 25 and to be told you cant come in without any reason is a joke. They need to seriously review their policy because it's B.S. The bouncers have to much power. I definitely wont be going there again on a Saturday night.
By CamdenMassive007
Excellent you won't find a better metal club in London. DJs play awesome music and are arguably the best on the scene currently.
Top night out!
The door policy is ridiculous and the bouncers extremely rude.
(i) My sister (who is 24) was ID'ed four times on her way in
(ii) A friend was barred for wearing indie trainers. Do the bouncers realise how ludicrous it is to bar people for wearing trainers in Camden? They then proceeded to let in about 7 people wearing converse and when questioned (politely, I might add, by us) they said "oh, it's no trainers but converse are allowed". Er - on what planet are converse not trainers?
(iii) Another friend was barred for talking on his mobile phone in the queue (the bouncers bearing a striking similarity to those "disgusted of Tunbridge Wells" people who tell you off if you accidentally forget to switch your phone onto silent in a "quiet zone" train carriage)
I can categorically say that I will never, ever be going here again.
The music and the people at The Electric Ballroom are great and I would recommend it if they didn't have such frustrating people working for them. Unfortunately the behaviour from the staff last night managed to ruin a great night out and I don't think I'll be returning. A lot of the favourable reviews on here seem to be from regulars who, from what I can see, get treated like royalty if they're chummy with the security staff. I don't appreciate security bringing the people they like to the front of the queue while everyone else has to wait. I don't have a problem with people and bags being searched but it really was excessive.
We had a friend joining us a bit later last night but she was refused entry. When I went to the doors to find out why I was told she was too drunk. Our entire party of 9 people were in a worse state than her when we arrived. I explained to security that there was a whole group of us in the club and would he rather she came in with friends or went home alone, if she was so 'drunk'. He thought the latter option was the safer of the two and suggested our entire party left the club to escort her if we had a problem. Fine for them I guess as they'd already got a good 60 odd quid off of all of us.
The bar waters down drinks and I resent having to buy the bottled drinks if I want any alcohol. The bar also closes suddenly at around 2.30am, way before the club closes and the shutters were pretty much slammed down on people who were asking for a glass of tap water before it closed.
It's a shame the staff have the power to ruin a completely good atmosphere, The Electric Ballroom would be great otherwise.
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