Location: London, England
Capacity: 1,600
The landscape for London nightlife is constantly changing, but Ministry of Sound is one venue that’s held firm. Located in Elephant & Castle, the former bus garage has welcomed diverse dance music talents — from Ben Klock to NERVO, Tinie Tempah to Grooverider — over its three-decade tenure. Founded by friends Justin Berkmann, Humphrey Waterhouse and James Palumbo in 1991, the trio drew inspiration from New York’s Paradise Garage, with early bookings including Larry Levan, Roger Sanchez and Paul Oakenfold. Shortly after opening, Ministry of Sound launched its eponymous label, and had sold over 55 million compilation albums worldwide by the time Sony purchased it in 2016. The four-room venue boasts a 64-speaker, 22-channel sound system with a ring of six bespoke Martin Audio ground stacks positioned around the dancefloor of the main room, AKA The Box. With an open-minded booking policy, a huge outdoor area and a mighty sound system, it’s no wonder Ministry of Sound remains the globally-renowned institution it is today.