Terminus Place,
Victoria,
London,
SW1V 1JR
0845 371 4489
The ViewLondon Review
Lasers, cherries and hands in the air. Pacha is a euphoric dance venue hosting some of the industry’s best DJs.
The Venue
For such a large venue, Pacha is very well managed. The various sections across two floors are kept running smoothly and you won’t have to wait long for a drink – almost unheard of at such a popular club.
As you enter the club, the many corridors and random sofas break up the scenery, centered around the dancefloor. If it’s your first time, stay close to your friends because if you lose them, your night will be very lonely. Black is the overall colour scheme alongside some nice features like engraved walls and oversized sofas – almost beds. This club couldn’t be further removed from rough around the edges warehouse-style dance venues, as the stunning chandeliers will attest. The atmosphere here is electric and the DJ booth directly on the dancefloor is equipped with no less than nine turntables playing a great selection of beats and breaks. A huge gallery on the first floor overlooks the dancefloor below, allowing for great people watching. In the darkness, the lasers and smoke can become quite overwhelming combined with the massive speakers – in a good way!
One of the things that many clubbers bemoan is a lack of seating; after all, you can’t spend all night on the dancefloor. Luckily, the club has many tables, some of which are big enough to fit up to ten people. If you’re lucky enough to get in, the VIP area is very cool with underlit neon tables, black leather sofas and polite table service.
The smoking area doubles up as the rubbish area. A tiny ally alongside the building. Don’t expect a relaxed break from the wild party inside, rather a second party outdoors with people sitting on the tops of the bins laughing and the staff squeezing past to empty the bottle bins.
The Atmosphere
The crowd becomes increasingly pumped as the music ups in tempo so expect to bump a few shoulders and don’t get too annoyed if someone steps on your shoes. The atmosphere is fast and busy wherever you go, but that’s where Pacha thrives – in its ability to keep things wild.
The clientele varies depending on the night you attend – everyone from house heads to trance addicts hit the dancefloor to let loose to the sounds of pumping tunes. That said, unlike many dance clubs, Pacha also attracts a more glamorous type of raver. This is no warehouse party, rather a world-renowned club with a loyal following of regulars, first-time Londoners and tourists.
The Music
You’re not going to be throwing shapes to the likes of Justin Timberlake or the Cheeky Girls here. The main theme of the events held here is dance – every genre and type you can imagine. With its huge Ibizan following, it’s no surprise that some of the world’s best known DJs have taken to the decks here. Think Joey Negro, Pete Tong, Judge Jules and Carl Cox.
Regular nights include the newly launched Pure Pacha, Plush Dafunk, Twisted Disco, Hed Kandi and Kidology to name a few, alongside such popular nights as Zombies Ate My Brain.
The Drink
Expect to pay nightclub prices for drinks including £4.50 for a single shot of Jack Daniels - without coke. The best plan is to book a table with a group of friends and have your drinks served by the bottle. Just don’t be shy with your wallet, one bottle of vodka can cost £150 (which can actually be cost effective between a group of you). You can also buy premium bottles like Belvedere.
The Last Word
Pacha is a club for well dressed ravers with money in their pocket. Don’t expect fine cocktails or rare cognac, however, this is all about the bouncing crowd, superstar DJs and massive speakers.