One of East London’s original party starters, Queen of Hoxton on Curtain road is celebrating turning 10 years old this July. The much-loved three floor venue is a stawart of East London, and continues to thrive dispite numerous club closures in London.
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On Saturday 13th July, they will be throwing a huge birthday party, with Garage ‘Night Has it Come to This’ featuring Zed Bias and Plastician. Expect a night ‘loaded’ with old-school classics and underground sounds, sprinkled with ‘a little bit’ of cutting edge future garage. As you’d expect from a 10 year brithday, there will also be cake, balloons, face painting, confetti cannons and suprise gifts!
Owner Andy Maddocks says:
How does it feel to have Queen of Hoxton reach its 10th birthday?
I am immensely proud of how far we’ve come. I think its fair to say that if you haven’t been to the Queen you have at least heard about it! I’d like to think we have a reputation for having one the best rooftop bars in London, as well as offering something a bit different to the London club scene. From garagenights to brass bands via Ukulele Hootenannys and Neon Naked Life Drawing, these walls have seen it all!
How have you seen Shoreditch change in the last 10 years and what was it like when you first opened?
Shoreditch is unrecognisable from when we oppened 10 years ago. Back then we were one of the more upmarket venues, now we have the Nobu Hotel around the corner! One of the amazing things about Shoreditch is that it does continue to grow and develop. I’d like to think that, although its different now, a night out in Shoreditch can still offer a bit of something for everyone – whether your looking for underground garage in our basment or cocktails in Nobu!
What challenges do you face as a nightclub owner in London?
How long do you have?! We are continually being squeezed. Landlords who hike the rents, sometimes by 100%, councils who place more and more restrictions on your licence, the business rates are shooting up but we still have pay a late night levy! I can understand why there is increased legislation but I think it’s unfair that it is continually directed towards late night venues when it is off licences that are the cause of much of the on street drinking and anti social behaviour
What are the rewards of working in the night time industry?
My job is to make people happy! Who has a better job than that? Its one of the best feelings in the world is to see the look of delight on customers faces when they arrive onto the roof at the Queen after we have spent weeks preparing it for a new season. Or to be in the basement club when its packed and everyone is dancing, singing and smiling. It’s magic!
Visit http://queenofhoxton.com/ for more information