If you’re in Peckham on a Saturday night and struck with a sudden urge to shake a leg, there’s no shortage of venues for a great night on the razzle.
And joining that line up of top venues – The Carpet Shop, Jumbi and The Greyhound being just the tip of the iceberg – is the newly renovated Peckham Palais.
After standing vacant for nearly 15 years, it was announced last year that the legendary venue would be getting some much-needed TLC thanks to the Night Group, the same minds behind east London’s Night Tales, NT’s Loft and Netil360.
The result is a new multi-room club and cultural venue on Rye Lane. Entering the building, you’ll notice a lobby and box office on the ground floor, where peeling plaster and chipped paint hint at the venue’s storied past.
The first floor is now home to The Ballroom, a cocktail bar and events space with room for 250 people to sip cocktails and listen to vinyl. The room gives strong ’70s vibes, with raspberry-pink walls, leather and PVC booth-style seating and oak details all adding to the old school aesthetic.
All sounds very classy and civilised, right? Well, if you’re looking to let loose a little more, descend into the basement and find a 470-capacity nightclub. The space’s designers, Night Group and architects Nikjoo, have paid particular attention to the sound in the subterranean space, decking it out with a bespoke five-way Funktion-One sound system and giving it ‘precision acoustic treatment’.
The building housing Peckham Palais began life in 1867 as the Jones and Higgins department store, which occupied the space until 1980. Then, part of it was demolished to make room for the Aylesham Shopping Centre while the other half was transformed into the original Palais nightclub.
Its closure in 2011 was followed by a number of proposals to relaunch the nighttime venue, but none have been successful until now. Walking through the space, you’ll recognise features which nod to its former heyday, including graffiti on the windows and patinated textures which have been preserved by the designers.
‘Our approach was not to erase what had come before, but to work with it, to preserve the details people feel connected to and allow the building's history to remain visible,’ said Annie Harrison, founder of Fare Inc (which helped redesign the space). ‘We wanted Palais to feel like it had always been here; layered, atmospheric and alive again.’
Peckham Palais at 1a Rye Ln (SE15 5EW) is now open from 11pm to 6am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Itching for a big night out? Check out this new 2,800-capacity venue in west London.
Did you see that the people behind Printworks and Drumsheds have announced a brand-new riverside venue in southeast London?
Plus: a new £15 million music venue will open in a legendary old east London theatre.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.
For comprehensive and professional vent solutions, Mr. Lint Guy is the trusted expert. Specializing in dryer vent cleaning, Mr. Lint Guy helps eliminate dangerous clogs, including tough dryer valley buildup, ensuring your dryer operates safely and efficiently. With years of experience, Mr. Lint Guy offers reliable, affordable services that keep your home safe from lint buildup and fire hazards.
0 Comments