During its 35 years, Ministry of Sound has expanded from a venue into an empire: a cornerstone of British dance music that’s grown to include a record label, dozens of compilation mixes and hundreds of international tours. It began back in 1991with its flagship space in Elephant & Castle – a clubbing institution that’s championed everyone from Paul Oakenfold to Marshmello from the comparatively intimate surrounds of its main 600-capacity live room, The Box.
“When we first opened, they spent the entire budget on The Box. It was built to have the most superior sound system and clubbing experience possible, and we’ve maintained that,” says managing director Caitlin McAllister. “But it was built in 1991 for the way clubbing was then, and what we’ve had to do is really think about what we need for the modern clubbing experience now.”
And so the space has undergone its biggest-ever renovation and will relaunch on Friday January 30. Along with a new custom four-point KV2 sound system – a state-of-the-art piece of kit that, McAllister says, grinning, will “make sure you feel it in the depths of your tummy when you’re in the room” – the venue has installed new screens and lowered the DJ booth to put the action at the centre of the room. It’s all about cultivating an atmosphere that makes people feel connected. “It’s a big point of controversy in the clubbing world that people want to film all the time, and it can kill the dance floor if everyone's standing with their phone out 24/7,” she says. “So the design of the room encourages people to [dance with their friends]. It doesn’t feel so much like you’re standing and watching a show – it’s a proper dance floor.”
Naturally, the venue is marking its relaunch with massive parties. The first night will see multi-platinum tech-house DJ Tom Enzy headline, before Ministry legend Pete Tong goes back-to-back with Danish dance star Kölsch on the second. It’s just the start of an entire year of 35th anniversary celebrations that McAllister describes as “the start of Ministry 2.0”. This new era of Ministry will focus even more on community – which is why it’s introduced a purposefully affordable membership scheme, which includes queue-free arrival and priority table reservations. “It drives that sense of belonging,” McAllister says. “It’s less about being VIP and fancy, and more about it feeling like Ministry is your home to dance.”
McAllister is positive about the future of London’s nightlife. “You only need to look across the London landscape right now to see that it’s on the up,” she says. “We’re investing a lot of money in reviving the club, XOYO [in Shoreditch] is doing a huge relaunch at the moment, and Peckham Palais is opening next month. New venues are opening, people are putting money into their venues to refurbish them, and the scene is strong. There’s an appetite to consume new music, and there’s a real appetite to club.”
