Top 5: Underground Nightclubs in London

Forget Ministry of Sound and the champagne clubs of central London, join us on a guide to the best venues for underground dance...

By Tom Faber | Updated May 27 2024

A dimly lit nightclub with green and blue lights. The venue is crowded with people dancing and socializing. Some balloons are visible in the background, adding to the festive atmosphere. The space has a vibrant and energetic ambiance.

London is internationally renowned for its nightlife but it can sometimes be hard to know where to go. For every memorable night of euphoria there are three more with overpriced drinks, muddy speakers and aggressive punters. The city can also be an inhospitable environment for nightclubs, with local councils forcing the likes of Plastic People, Madame Jojo's and Dance Tunnel to close. Even Fabric has been threatened. Yet a few venues brave the storms and continue turning out some of Europe's best club nights. So forget the champagne clubs of central London - join us on a guide to the best venues for underground dance music in London.

Corsica Studios

A crowded nightclub scene with people dancing and socializing under dim, colorful lights. Some individuals are holding drinks, while others have their hands in the air, enjoying the music. The atmosphere is lively and energetic. — Corsica Studios via DJ mag

4, 5 Elephant Rd, London SE17 1LB

Just round the corner from Ministry at Elephant & Castle is a legend amongst London's underground club circuit, Corsica Studios. Opened in 2006, the medium-sized club consists of two black rooms, minimal decoration and a formidable Funktion 1 soundsystem. Corsica puts emphasis and funding into superb lineups rather than extravagant designs, and their reward is the loyal following that the club has gathered over almost 2 decades. A hotbed of creativity in the electronic music scene, there are far too many superb nights at Corsica for us to hit up every one. But we can try.

Oval Space London

A crowded dance floor filled with people dancing under dim, colorful lighting. A large disco ball hangs from the ceiling, reflecting light. Confetti fills the air, and the atmosphere is lively and energetic with music and celebration. — resident advisor

29, 32 The Oval, Cambridge Heath, London E2 9DT

Amongst Bethnal Green's strangely beautiful gas holders is underground sensation- Oval Space. Offering a huge barn-like room which regularly fills to bursting at their eclectic club nights and parties. It can sometimes get a little sweaty inside, but luckily the club has a lovely terrace which overlooks London Fields where you can chill out with a beer before re-entering the fray. They also own the intimate Pickle Factory across the road which focuses on dance nights, regularly hosting the best of the house and techno scenes. Over the summer they'll welcome residences from Boiler Room and Principals alongside an outdoor summer film series and a pop-up restaurant.

Phonox

A crowded nightclub filled with people dancing under red lighting and laser beams. A silver disco ball hangs from the ceiling, reflecting the vibrant lights. The atmosphere is energetic and lively, with hands raised in the air and visible excitement among the crowd. — phonox.com

418 Brixton Rd, London SW9 7AY

Phonox, set up in Brixton by the crew behind Shoreditch's successful hotspot XOYO. One key feature marks Phonox out from the rest of the pack. This is its dedication to the traditions of DJing, where a selector is given a whole night to construct their set, rather than hosting a rapid-fire highlights reel from five different DJs across a night. It allows the artists to explore and express themselves more expansively than your average festival or nightclub set, and makes for some of the best nights around. The rotating cast of all-night sessions is on Friday, while in another nod to tradition they have a resident DJ, Jasper James, who plays all night every Saturday.

Village Underground

A large crowd of people is dancing and socializing in a dimly lit nightclub. Above them, red fluorescent tube lights hang from the ceiling, casting a warm, vibrant glow. Exposed brick walls and industrial beams add to the club's aesthetic. — Village Underground

54 Holywell Ln, London EC2A 3PQ

Village Underground is a turn-of-the-century warehouse turned nightlife sanctuary that's been the backbone of East London's club scene for over 15 years. This iconic venue has a knack for unearthing the freshest talent, providing a launchpad for artists on the brink of stardom. While Shoreditch has morphed into a hipster haven, Village Underground has stayed true to its roots, proudly independent and passionately authentic. It's the kind of place where the beats are as cutting-edge as the crowd's fashion choices...

Electrowerkz

A lively crowd watches a band performing on a dimly lit stage. The band includes a keyboardist and guitarist under blue and purple stage lights. Audience members have their hands raised, enjoying the energetic atmosphere in the compact indoor venue. — Electrowerkz

7 Torrens St, London EC1V 1NQ

If your idea of a night out involves a dash of dystopian charm and a heavy dose of the eclectic, Electrowerkz in Islington is your ticket to the underground. Established in 1980, this venue is a veritable institution, offering a playground for the weird and wonderful. Housed in an old tube carriage with a cobblestone courtyard, Electrowerkz's gritty aesthetic and dim, fog-laden atmosphere set the stage for some of London's most legendary alternative nights. From Slimelight's goth extravaganza to the wild antics of Torture Garden, it's a hub where darkwave meets techno, and where dressing to impress means embracing your most flamboyant, freaky self.