I went to Club Antichrist’s 10th birthday party and lived to tell the tale.

As a part-time closet Goth, I have been meaning to pay Club Antichrist a visit for quite sometime. Antichrist is Europe’s biggest alternative night. It runs every couple of months and is a haven for all kinds of bizarre and wonderful people. Whatever your thing, Goth, Rock, Industrial, Fetish… there is a home for you here. Being involved in a variety of these scenes, I had had this night recommended to me several times. I kept putting it off, insisting I wanted to go with a group, or when I could afford a great outfit, or that I just didn’t have the money for the entry. I paid £23 which is more than I’d usually pay for a club.

But boy was it worth it.

Logo belongs to Club Antichrist.

I should point out,  £23 is actually incredibly good value for what you get. There were four acts on that day (I only managed to catch two), a variety of club rooms, a chill out room where I often found free sweets and a Dungeon. Considering £23 is probably what you’d expect to pay to watch an upcoming band and then spend an evening in one club room with limited choice… you really can not fault it.

Joining the queue to go in, I was really impressed with how everybody was dressed. Antichrist have a strict dress code- if you’re not alternative you won’t get in. The motley crue I rucked up with were wearing a combination of Corset/Skirt (me), PVC dress, spiky underwear, all black… etc etc.  However the variety of outfits I saw that day were truly spectacular. Everything from Vampires with custom made fangs to head to toe cyber goths to pretty much not wearing anything at all. I had some degree of familiarity with the venue having attended Slimelight there before so honestly, I had a pre-conceived notion about the atmosphere* however I did find upon entering that the place was not only deliciously dark but the atmosphere was so friendly and welcoming. Admittedly, the Electrowerkz is a little like Hogwarts in that you go up one flight of steps and end up somewhere completely different to where you thought you were going. This is either part of its charm or an absolute nightmare but I think that really varies from person to person.

*Nothing against Slimes, it’s great at what it does. Which is dingy, drug fuelled club night. I’ve no issue with that but for what I’d heard about AC it’s not what I was hoping for.

Once I’d gained entry, I caught up with a friend and made my way upstairs to “The Theatre of Sin”. It was a mid-small room with a stage and when I arrived they were finishing off some sort of  “model a penis out of plasticine” competition. Shortly after, Bad Pollyanna took to the stage. They were absolutely amazing. Imagine Evanescence meets Emilie Autumn. The sound was tight, the music compelling and Olivia Hyde, Bad Pollyannas front woman, is incredibly engaging on stage. I also appreciated how much work they do for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, a cause very close to my heart. Do check them out here.

I also absolutely loved Bad Pollyanna’s cover of Closer by NIN. Absolute perfect choice of a song. Following Bad Pollyanna’s set, we were treated to a theatrical fetish performance by Cynth Icorn. The performance was brief and featured flogging, water torture and a mimed execution. Credit to them, it was wonderfully staged and atmospheric but to be honest I found it brief and not half as kinky as some of the stuff going on in other parts of the building. But each to their own.

After this I caught up with some more friends and hung out briefly in the Chill Zone. Here I got offered free sweeties – Yay! It was quite packed in there but hey, it’s a common area for an event that draws in lots of people so as long as it’s crowded within the realms of safety I would say it’s a good thing. From the Chill Zone I got a sneaky peak into the Dungeon. Not everyone’s thing of course but I imagine that if it is yours you will be pleased with the variety of apparatus.

From here, we meandered up to the HellFire Room. I found the array of music in here to be interesting. It is Goth classics so one moment I was dancing to Marilyn Mansons the Beautiful People and the next it was Gary Numans Cars. Again- probably  not everyone’s tastes but it kept me happy! On this floor there was somebody being flogged on a sort of spider web and next to it there was a cage for dancing.

Yes. I danced in the cage.

It was a surreal experience… kind of hoping I looked vaguely sexy whilst secretly worrying I looked like a hamster with the shits. There were a couple of ogling men so one hopes I managed the former which is actually quite a nice feeling.

After that hot stuff, I chugged energy drink like a fresher does cheap lager and socialised for a while, I met some very interesting people and a lot of fun was had. About 3a.m. a couple of people had dwindled off and I could feel my energy starting to flag. I went in search of coffee but unfortunately they’d had an issue with hot water (I hear this will be remedied and to be honest it really didn’t detract from the fun any). I realised, I  needed a quick buzz to keep myself going. Being sober meant a serious lack of alcohol high. The solution hit me. It was time to rave.

It was time for PureFuckingIndustrial.

The bass exhudes out of the room before you even enter. I was ready. I embraced. I went in…

The room was full of a combination of goths and cyber goths dancing in every which way. I cannot tell you how much I die inside when I realise I can’t dance like Cyber Goths. It didn’t stop me trying though and I’m sure at one point myself and another raver were exchanging glances of “hey I appreciate the shapes you’re throwing”. Although next time I go, I must bring glow sticks. I was also very pleased because it was the first time I’ve ever been in a club and heard one of my favourite tracks – Die MF Die by Suicide Commando.

In the end, I got home about 5a.m. actually a whole hour before the club itself closes. I was knackered by this point (wah, I’m getting old!) but I had such a very, very good night. It’s Wednesday now and I am mourning the fact that I have months to go before I can go to Antichrist again. I had an absolutely fantastic time. Probably the best night out I’ve ever had – certainly the best one in London.
Tempted? Go. It will be worth it. You know you want to.

Been to any exciting places lately? Is there somewhere the Cultured Vultures need to visit? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook!