LondonNet Club Review

A Friendly night for serious club-goers as "Chew the Fat" successfully returns to The End

THE END IS OUT of the way, hidden in an alleyway just off High Holborn Street, but its reputation alone, however, keeps people flocking to the West End venue. It may be tricky to find, but it's bright blue façade screams for attention, and the new launch/ return of "Chew the Fat" brought a healthy queue to the ticket and guest list line , with those fitting into neither category advised to get there early or merely try their luck. With residents such as Australian native Friendly (the 2004 Breakspoll Awards Best Newcomer winner) and Paul Arnold (the founder of Fat! Records and hence, "Chew the Fat", as well), the dance floor filled up fast.

Mere entrance to the End immediately exuded "serious clubbing experience", and after plunging into fog, club-goers were greeted by unyielding, throbbing break beats. The main room was packed to the hilt with a hard-to-stereo-type clientele (everyone from backpackers to hipsters to b-boys and girls) dancing it up to the likes of the Drummatic Twins.

For those who find themselves a bit intimidated by the main room's chaos, the lounge offered a pleasant surprise. The lounge was separated by the entryway, and is acoustically sound with the more melodic, funky beats and chill, psychedelic 70's theme not drowned out by the main room. The true b-boys and b-girls from Breakin' Bread Breakdancers provided a special treat with their skilled moves in the lounge, forcing those who couldn't spin on their heads to not even bother. Eventually, the floor was broken open and the quality deteriorated, prompting one club-goer to announce, "These guys have got no game". Nonetheless, the whole scene was a good break from the main floor.

Friendly hit the tables in the prime of the night and he lived up to the hype with simple, to-the-point beats with a few clean breakdowns for variety. He grinned like a schoolboy the whole time as his primal beats (added to with occasional raw vocals by a cohort) forced everyone onto the floor.

The admission prices are a bargain for the experience (just UKP6 for students with ID, a bit pricier at UKP10 for all others), and while the drink prices initially seem sketchy (3.50UKP bottled beer, 2.80 shots), they are admittedly comparable to any other good club in the area.

(Steve Marshall)

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