London’s Heaven Nightclub To Close.

[gunbuck]

Just read this on the Almighty Records messageboard. Sad to see Heaven close but it's to the club's credit that they've been open 27 years!

Originally Posted by The Almighty Crew

After 27 years ‘Heaven’ the London nightclub is closing it’s doors. G-A-Y the last remaining ‘Pop Palace’ in London moves into Heaven from January prior to their present location’s demolition sometime in the near future.

Heaven started under the legendary musical direction of Ian Levine who took the club from the Disco era into HI-N-RG, it was probably the most famous and exciting ‘GAY’ club in the world. ‘Heaven’ led the way for other copycat ventures elsewhere. How glam it was to go from partying in London and finding more of the same at the ‘Saint’ in New York. Other famous clubs of the same ilk opened in San Francisco, LA, and Fort Lauderdale to name but a few. Back at 'Heaven' In the mid 80’s the mantle fell to a new DJ called Marc Andrews who also became very successful in his own right. He then moved off to establish a new, very successful night elsewhere. The rest is history. Heaven’s farewell party is this weekend led by Marc Andrews. Unfortunately Ian will not be attending the final night at the club he helped establish all that time ago! The point on here is a nod and a wink to Ian and Marc and to everybody else from that era who had great influence on what we at Almighty in its small way went on, and continue to do.

[Simon White]

I was given a slightly different take on this tale Gunbuck, that another well known London gay club night entranapeur was taking over......... the story came from a source formally close to the club.

[modernanxiety]

I was intrigued to read the two posts on this forum concerning Heaven's closure, so I checked the website and it looked as if they recently had a night celebrating Heaven 1979 - 2007 - a strange time to be having a anniversary. So I phoned them, and they assured me they were NOT closing. Please can someone clear this up. I know it sounds stupid but I just MUST know! Is anyone out there in the know about what's reallt going on? What about these rumours of demolishing the place due to the endless regeneration? Will the club survive in some way?

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by modernanxiety

What about these rumours of demolishing the place due to the endless regeneration? Will the club survive in some way?

How can Heaven be demolished when it's directly underneath Charing Cross station? Wouldn't the trains disappear down a big hole?

[Simon White]

Good point, Sandra.

But they've done major work on Liverpool St, Paddington and St Pancras stations recently but haven't actually demolished so maybe it's something like that planned ?

[modernanxiety]

[modernanxiety]

ok my link isnt working but if you go here DSC00333.JPG (image) that might clear things up a bit.

[SandraDee]

Well that clears that up!

[Westwood]

Hey guys, is it still the same, Heaven not closing?
Cause I was in London last year for some months and had heard too the same rumours, taht awful g-a-y place taking over Heaven.
I hope it was really just a rumour.

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by Westwood

taht awful g-a-y place

It is awful that's true! The average age of the clientele is about 14!

[Westwood]

I initially thought it was great, I went once, alone, for the camp attack night, they played lots of fab disco tunes but they were all sped up, I hate that. Really hate that. I went a couple of other times, including the time when Army Of Lovers/BWO/Alcazar performed.
But what I hate the most is that most attending, starting with the owner and his sidekicks, are truly horrible BITTER queens. And I never use those words.
I have witnessed this first hand, and heard horrible stories or total abuse of "power" in there.
If a club is a place where you go to listen to your favorite music and enjoy sharing it with others, and dancing, then this is the last place to go.