The grand dame of London's gay scene, legendary superclub Heaven has been packing out the vaults beneath Charing Cross station for almost thirty years. Today, with a takeover by celebrity magnet G-A-Y keeping the place as fresh as ever, this is one lady who definitely wears her age well.
The Venue
For years, Heaven has commanded the maze of chambers and tunnels beneath Charing Cross, transforming the former disused wine cellars into a unique space perfectly suited to a club. Just a two minute walk from Trafalgar Square, the venue's entrance is hidden away below the railway arches themselves, but can be easily found by following the long queues of clubbers snaking along the club's outer walls in either direction.
The cavernous main dancefloor with its lofty ceiling and exposed brickwork could be a temple to the gods of music, its altar the raised stage where some of the biggest names in pop have performed. Adjoining this cathedral-like space is the main bar area where low lighting and seat-lined alcoves make you feel you've retreated to an underground bunker, while still being close enough to hear the music. Busier nights see the addition of a further, smaller bar and dance area upstairs, providing a musical alternative for those who can't find the beats they're after down below.
The Atmosphere
Partly due to its reputation as London's largest (and some would say greatest) gay nightspot, Heaven is perennially busy, and it will be a rare occasion when you won't have some sort of endless queue nightmare trying to get in. However, the long lines outside are testament to the club's success, and once you've negotiated your way through the rigorous security checks you'll quickly forget how much time you've had to wait.
The crowd is predominantly made up of gay guys and their gal pals, although straight men are welcomed so long as they behave themselves and promise not to wear anything that covers their upper arms. While shirts are optional on the dancefloor, beer bellies are definitely not, the result being that the place can turn into something of a cruising ground as the night wears on. However, the sheer size of the venue means it's generally easy to escape unwanted attention, and if you really get stuck you can always try putting your top back on as a disguise.
The Music
Heaven has been identified as one of the most influential musical hotspots of the last three decades, leading the gay scene in its '90s passion for house and trance music. Some of the scene's most widely respected DJs cut their teeth (and their demos) on the superclub's decks, while the main stage has played host to special performances by artists including The Eurythmics, Grace Jones and Cher. Following its recent takeover by G-A-Y, Heaven's musical offering has shifted slightly, moving away from the deep house and electro underground sounds of its past into the shiny pop disco bubble with which its owners have become synonymous. |
