Last Dance Tunnel: beloved club to close in August
RIP: the Dalston venue will shut its doors for the last time in August
In a further blow to Hackney’s clubbing scene, Dalston venue Dance Tunnel has announced it is to shut its doors for good in August, with Hackney’s “licensing climate” cited as the reason for its closure.
The Kingsland High Street nightspot, which opened in 2012, posted a statement on Facebook that said: “We regret to announce that Dance Tunnel is to close its doors in August. Sadly the licensing climate in Hackney has made it impossible for us to get the hours we need to make Dance Tunnel sustainable in the long term.
A staple of East London’s dance music scene, Dance Tunnel last year played host to Four Tet, Ben UFO and Prosumer, among many other DJs and record labels from across the globe.
The statement continued: “We would like to sincerely apologise to all the Tunnel Dancers who we are letting down. We really tried to make it work.
“Thanks to all the artists, DJs, promoters and family members who have shared their favourite music and moments with us over the last three-and-a-bit years. Thanks to everyone who has made our basement such a special place. Sorry we never got round to fixing that slope on the dance floor.”
The exact reason the venue must close is unclear. The Hackney Citizen approached it for clarification but the staff declined to comment.
Sources in the music industry are speculating the venue was unable to extend its licence to run regularly until 4 or 5am, although this has been confirmed by neither the venue nor Hackney Council.
Events at Dance Tunnel usually close at 3am, although sometimes are allowed to run until 5am when Hackney Council grants permission through a ‘temporary event notice’.
Alan Miller, chairman of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said: “Dance Tunnel helped put Dalston on the map. It is loved by many and for lots of different reasons: a fantastic night out, friendly people, great music, good curation – a taste of something that’s special.
In the three hours since Dance Tunnel’s statement was posted on Facebook, it had generated 1,300 likes and almost 300 comments, with fans commenting “such a shame,” “everything about that club was awesome,” and “much love to you guys, was a lovely home.”
‘Much love’
Dance Tunnel is following in the footsteps of former Hoxton venue Plastic People, which shut down in January last year, having hosted the likes of Four Tet, James Blake, Andrew Weatherall, Theo Parrish and Floating Points as residents. The owners did not explain why they were shutting, saying only ‘‘it felt right to move on.”
Last summer Hackney Council was slammed for proposing a borough-wide 12am-closing time for new bars, which it backed down from after a widespread campaign against the plans.
Mr Miller, NTIA Chairman, said it is important London venues are given the licences allowed by the 24-hour licensing act if it is to compete with other “global cities”.
“We live in a 24-hour society. London is a global city, competing with the likes of Barcelona, Berlin and New York. We supposedly have 24 hour licensing – but councillors and licensing committees haven’t caught up with that.
“In Hackney, London and across the UK we need to take note that if we make it too difficult for venues to run in a way you’d expect an international venue to then they won’t be able to operate. It’s very sad.
“It creates a special place where people can meet, get inspired, have fun, relax – all those things that are essential to life. People understand that in the context of galleries and theatres but not quite when it comes to bars and nightclubs.”
Hackney Council was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.