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tomsmusictaste · 2 years

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Top 5 Alternative Nightclubs in the UK

Note: this is based entirely on my own experience and I have not been to every nightclub in the UK, alternative or otherwise.

5. The Cathouse - Glasgow

With three different floors catering to three different alternative styles - some pop-punk, some metal, some guilty pleasures - Cathouse has something for everyone if you're into the alternative and absolutely plenty of space to rock out in. In fact when there's no band performing, the raised stage area in the middle floor just becomes another part of the dancefloor, if you really wanna elevate your experience (ba-dum-dum-tsh).

4. Spiders - Hull

Looking for a touch of the gothic or grungy? Look no further than Hull's premiere rock club, Spiders. Glow in the dark spiders painted on the walls? Check! Metal cages shaped like spider-webs? Check! Metal, hard rock, punk and pop-punk? Check on all counts! But perhaps the most unique and iconic thing Spiders has to offer is it's signature cocktail - the Sweet Death. Containing Vodka, Southern Comfort, Peach Schnapps and Midori, topped up with a lemon and lime mixer, this bright green sweet melon drink comes in a pint glass, and for those who enjoy a good alcoholic drink, it's a must have if you're visiting this club.

3. Rise - Newcastle

Have you ever wanted to go to rock club that's right next door to a strip club? Rise has got you covered. Similar to Cathouse, it has three main areas, the main dancefloor having well-known alternative anthems, some more metalcore and deep-cuts on the upper floor, and then there's the wonderful outdoor area; far more than a simple smoking zone, the Terrace has plenty of shelter for if it rains, plays many guilty pleasures and classic rock anthems. And another unique drink to offer, at Rise you can get yourself a Firebucket: a Fireball Whiskey based drink which, yes, comes in a literal bucket. This was a frequent haunt of mine during my uni days and I will always remember the euphoria of spending my 23rd birthday here and Bohemian Rhapsody coming on in the Terrace literally the moment I turned 23.

2. The Key Club - Leeds

This one's the closest to home for me, both metaphorically and literally. It's just, literally the closest to where I live. While I will say I've found Friday nights here to be quite hit-or-miss, I don't think I've ever had a bad Saturday night in this place. It's not the biggest venue, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in energy. Frequent occurrences include a spontaneous moshpit opening up beneath the DJ, the entire room bursting into song when Black Parade comes on, and certain people getting absolutely blasted and having an absolute blast (by "certain people" I may or may not mean me.) I'll admit it's not without it's flaws, but it's a place that feels like home to me. I've danced here, I've sung here, I've even bled here - and I'll happily do it all again. Plus, once you've finished screaming your lungs out, right across the road is not only a McDonalds, but also a Taco Bell - and as we all know, they never taste better than right after you've stumbled out of a club at 3am.

1. Satan’s Hollow - Manchester

So if Key Club is near where I live, and Rise is where I frequented during uni, why does Satan's Hollow take the top spot? Well, simply put, I think it's objectively better. I mean, you want a club that commits to it's aesthetic? Get a load of that great big devil statue looming over the DJ! The main room has a cool raised dancefloor in the middle, playing your more well known alternative anthems, but stay here long enough and the second room will open up! Depending on what day you're going, this will either be the heavier stuff, more metal and metalcore classics, or some golden gems from the pop-punk scene. There's plenty of space inside, 2 bars to get drinks from, the opportunity to mosh in the second room and did I mention how bad-ass that great big devil statue is!? The atmosphere in Satan's is always infectious, and going here is always a treat whenever I'm over in Manchester, so it gets a big thumbs up from me.