Ryan Bishti and After Dark – A History of London Nightlife Through the Ages

London, UK, June 5, 2022, ZEXPRWIRE, “To let I’ll take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London” is the 1970s hit by Ralph McTell.

Now let us take you by the hand and guide you through the glitz and glamor of London nightlife history.

Endless, intertwined avenues of Gothic and ancient Roman splendor support a vibrant and stimulating culture. A magical city full of passion and character. The sky over London is gray – everything else is bright, radiant and electrifying. Also known as ‘Big Smoke’, London has a rich and multicultural history spanning over 2,000 years which has contributed to the city’s cosmopolitan and exotic character. The cultural vibrancy of London makes it one of the most international cities and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Wherever you are on the map, you’ll find that the city is filled with free spirits, with outsized imaginations – adventurous to the hedonistic. London is the lustrous ‘crown jewel’ in innovative theatre, visual culture, groundbreaking music, groundbreaking writing, poetry, architecture, design and culinary innovation.

London has everything. It is the “City of Ideas” and the “City of Dreams”, an innovator in heritage, arts, culture, literature and music. Home of the “Grandest of the Greats”, Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Woolf, Elton John, Alfred Hitchcock, the “King of Movies”, and Ryan Bishti, His Majesty, “the king of the party” – you name it, London has it and makes it fun too!

Let’s dive straight into the fun…

From Dusk till Dawn – How London never stopped partying

After two years of lockdown we can definitely say – Here’s to life in London, how much we missed you!

We missed everything, the overzealous bouncers with their safety vests standing right at the entrance to the club, the outrageously expensive cocktails in Sloane Square, the bright lights of Regent Street, the bright and festive colors of Carnaby Street, the eternal evenings along the gaudy , graffiti-strewn canals of Hackney – Nice to have you back London!

And that’s why we’ve decided to bring all of this back in words and pictures with this account of London’s night party scene through the ages – we’ve got what it takes to party like it was in the 1920s. Let’s make this the Roaring 20s – 2020s.

London nightlife is both reactionary and visionary, luxurious and diverse, exciting and brilliant. London clubs are a cultural force that has shaped Britain’s vibrant and ever-changing party scene for decades. These clubs are at the forefront of each generation’s most innovative music, culture and fashion scene.

1960s – Annabelle’s in Soho by Mark Birley

Mark Birley named Annabel’s in Soho after his then wife, Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart. It was intended as a piano bar for high society folks to sip on before gambling away their night (and capital) in the upstairs rooms. Ruthless, smart and wealthy, Birley helped Annabel quickly become the place to be in the 1960s and 1970s. Birley’s fame continues to this day, although Annabel’s is now owned by fashion entrepreneur Richard Caring.

Annabel’s has attracted some of the biggest names in the galaxy of fame, Frank Sinatra, Kate Moss, Jack Nicholson, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana, to its eclectic, gilded rooms.

1970s – Roxy in Covent Garden by Andrew Czezowski and Susan Carrington

The couple renovated the Chaguaramas Club in London’s Covent Garden, turning it into the Roxy in 1970. This was the most prominent (and entertaining) punk hangout of the ’70s. Siouxsie and the Banshees, Generation X, Chrissie Hynde and The Clash were all regulars at the club.

1980s – Taboo in Leicester Square by Leigh Bowery

Melbourne-born, London-based designer Leigh Bowery founded his Taboo nightclub in 1985. Taboo was the place for extreme fashion, gender fluidity, and personality expression. Taboo’s dress code was, “Dress like your life depends on it, or don’t bother.” Bowery’s style ignited the parties and his performance was always the main attraction.

Big names in Taboo Club include Boy George, Nicola Bateman and artist Trojan.

1990s – Trading on Clerkenwell Road by Laurence Malice

Laurence Malice founded Trade on Clerkenwell Road in 1990. The club was the UK’s first 24 hour club and pioneered the gay scene.

Trade’s opening times were meant to lure guys into the club rather than cruising through the parks after parties. Tony De Vit and other prominent DJs popularized hard house in the club. Stars like Rupert Everett, Kate Moss and Alexander McQueen were often spotted partying the night away at Malice’s Club.

2000s – Jungle Fever in Brixton by Eastman

Britain’s longest running rave. Eastman pioneered the jungle that morphed into grime and dubstep. Grime artists like Dizzee, Wiley and Riko have identified Kool FM – the pirate radio station developed by Eastman – as their inspiration.

2010s – Dalston Superstore, Dance Tunnel in Dalston by Dan Beaumont

Dan Beaumont started his DJ career at the famous Disco Bloodbath gigs.

Dance Tunnel’s is definitely one of the main centers of London nightlife and its jet engine sound system makes it the largest of Dalston’s basement clubs. The club features some of the world’s best new house, techno and other dance music.

But who “owns” the party now?

(Ryan Bisti)

2020s – Cirque Le Soir in Soho by Ryan Bishti

Ryan Bishti, also known as “The King of London’s Roaring 2020s” or “The King of Nightlife”, is the man behind the vision.

Cirque Le Soir, part of the Cream group, is the nightclub of eternity on the Streets of Dreams. The eclectic yet warm decor makes us all dream of times gone by, while its modern vision perfectly embodies the city in which it is located. Young, lively, funny, but still noble and dazzling. Just like its owner – club promoter turned business mogul, Ryan Bishti.

Cirque Le Soir first opened its doors to the public in 2009 and has since built a reputation that is celebrated and admired around the world, attracting the biggest names in show business, from Rihanna and Cara Delevigne to Kanye West and the Kardashian “Clan”. “.

Cirque Le Soir was one of the very first venues in London to offer a truly mesmerizing atmosphere and night to remember. It was also one of the first places to manage to seamlessly integrate live entertainment into its nightly offerings, enchanting both the city and its customers.

Author: Marianna Civitillo

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