18 High Street,
Croydon,
CR0 1GT
(020) 8686 3580
The ViewLondon Review
Situated in the heart of the busiest part of Croydon town centre’s bar district, Reflex is one of 70 clubs owned by the chain which specialises, as its Duran Duran-inspired name suggests, in 80s nostalgia.
The Venue
Fitted out in shiny chrome and equipped with numerous video screens, Reflex also has a truly dazzling array of lights and a Saturday Night Fever-style dancefloor with illuminated coloured squares. Those who aren’t dancing unwind in the white leather-upholstered booths, which can be booked in advance, as can the private karaoke room with room for about 20 people (£20 per hour).
The Atmosphere
As you’d imagine from the Reflex’s very specific line in nostalgia, its clientele consists mainly of those who spent at least some, if not all, of the 80s as a teenager. There’s a regular crowd which is on first name terms with most of the staff, otherwise most seem to be out celebrating special occasions in groups of either males or (especially) females.
Fun is the keyword, as the DJ encourages everyone to take to the dancefloor, regularly joined by the staff who have their own dance routines worked out for various 80s classics. This isn’t the place to pop into for a quick drink - most here are here for the evening and pushing the boat out, but the light hearted entertainment keep things friendly.
The Music
A non-stop diet of highly familiar anthems nearly universally from the 80s, although there’s a bit of leeway for the odd moment from the late 70s/early 90s.
The Drink
A massive array of cocktails. Nearly all sugary (one includes crushed Skittles in the bottom), they’re actually luminous under the club’s UV lights. On Thursdays all cocktails are an amazing £1.99 or £6.95 for a pitcher, and every Friday there’s a two-for-one deal on bottles of Sol, Beck’s and Bacardi Breezers. Tuesdays see pints of Strongbow and bottles of VK, Beck’s and Bacardi Breezers at a knockdown £1.25 and pints of Carling and singles of Jack Daniel’s at just £1.50.
The Last Word
Clearly catering for a specific market, one which is untouched by the concept of cool. But if that’s what you’re after then this place has it all, from spectacularly retina-frazzling lights to the kind of atmosphere that might tempt even the most self-conscious to get up and strut along to Prince Charming.
Reflex has been reviewed by 6 users