Ministry of Sound - Ministry of Sound London

Ministry of Sound London

Inspired by New York’s Paradise Garage, Ministry of Sound’s London nightclub was the brainchild of DJ Justin Berkmann, who set out to create London’s first club devoted to the American house music scenes of New York, Chicago and Detroit, with a room purely dedicated to sound. Berkmann stated: "My concept for Ministry was purely this: 100% sound system first, lights second, design third (in that order); the reverse of everyone else’s idea." Berkmann partnered with James Palumbo and Humphrey Waterhouse to bring the concept to life and a site, a disused bus garage, was located in Elephant & Castle in Southwark, London. The club opened on 21 September 1991.

With opening sets from American house DJs such as Larry Levan, David Morales, C+C Music Factory, Roger Sanchez and Tony Humphries, the UK’s first 24-hour dance license, and a 150dB(A) sound-system built by Austen Derek, Ministry of Sound London quickly grew in popularity as a clubbing venue, despite the lack of an alcohol license for the first three years and notoriously strict door policies.

Today, the club is in the dance music scene, with DJs playing mix sets every Friday and Saturday night. Since April 2008, Fridays have been hosted by The Gallery, with sets from leading hard house and trance DJs. Saturdays are Ministry of Sound’s long-standing Saturday Sessions with house, electro and techno sets from popular DJs including Tiësto, Sasha, Erick Morillo, Pete Tong and David Guetta. Ministry of Sound London also hosts a range of other parties and events during the week and is available for private hire.

The club comprises five main areas; the Bar, the Baby Box, the VIP and the Loft and the Box, the latter housing the club’s primary sound-system, with a specially-built roof to contain sound and a sprung floor intended to enable clubbers to dance for many hours without tiring, inspired by the dancefloor at the Paradise Garage.

Southwark Council has a policy for the regeneration of the Elephant and Castle area. Ministry of Sound has run a campaign to prevent the residential development of sites near to it, citing concerns that noise complaints would endanger the club's future. In October 2011 Southwark council refused permission for a 41-storey tower designed by Allies and Morrison, but the following month the council approved a nearby proposal for a 22-storey tower by Panter Hudspith Architects which the club had also opposed. Overwhelming support for the preservation of the venue has come in from former London mayor Ken Livingstone, liberal democrat mayoral candidate Brian Paddick and top DJ's around the globe including Armin Van Buuren, Example (Musician), Dave Seaman, Pete Tong, Wretch 32 and Calvin Harris. On the 12th of March 2012 current London mayor Boris Johnson will be holding a public hearing into his proposed plan to overturn the Southwark council's decision.