True to form & in an ever moving & changing capital clubbing circuit, we “Extra Bite” report on two Soho soiree slot shifts & what their switching means for the scene, while we also fit in some newsworthy nibbles on some upcoming events well worth considering your appearance attention.

In the conformist Monday to Friday, nine to five, working week that many of us abide by, it comes as no surprise that it is the weekend when we let our hair down fully, yet the capitals clubbing circuit seems to pay no attention to this, a whole host of happenings filling out the week and pandering to all sorts of tastes. But, true to form in an ever changing world & with an ever moving target audience, two Soho soiree mid-week meets have decided to shift slots, we reporting on these, what impact their changes may have, before running through some upcoming newsworthy events.

So to the first of our of Soho soiree week night meets and the new(ish) Wednesday wonder, Revival, a marvellous meet at Manbar in Soho & a brand bases itself on the simple principle that “…everything old is new again…”, the night very much about the music within a relaxed social atmosphere, Revival the brainchild of scene favourite D.J. Brent Nicholls whose musical taste & collection spans the decades and who can boast a playlist deep into the 1000’s. And as the club name suggests, Revival is about pulling out tracks from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s from the 2000 strong playlist that the weekly “…live jukebox…” that is our Mr Nicholls, he taking requests across the night which can range from Abba to Adele, from “You’re So Vain” to “Mr Vain”, “from RnB to House & anthems to one hit wonders plus all that’s in between (you get the idea?!), Brent taking requests across the night which runs from 10 p.m. till 2 a.m. Add into the mix, heavenly hostess with the mostest, Jonny Hooley and Revival has really caught the social scene imagination, a fervent & loyal following seeing it outlive other comparable club concepts, although to add to the appeal, the team have decided to move the night from its Wednesday slot to what will be likely to prove a more popular night for this niche meet, Thursday’s very much more the start of the weekend for many, especially if the likes of Room Service & Gravity are anything to go by, Revival now firmly in this soiree slot having switched last week.    

And it seems that the heat is really being turned up on the Soho soiree scene on Thursday’s, as another club on the capitals circuit has decided to swing itself into this slot, although in Gigolo we find a prolific party that had its origins on this night of the week when it launched at Lo-Profile some two years ago. However, after a heavenly honeymoon period that saw Gigolo sit comfortably with its compatriot Soho soiree clubbing competition across on Greek St, with a change of venue to The Shadow Lounge, also came a change of day to a Wednesday night, the payback for the promoters being that they could fulfil the brand aspirations for more XXX rated fun & action to the full, the Shadow Lounge’s booths & secluded setting fitting the Gigolo ethos like a glove. Yet, while the team have run with the Wednesday’s for some time now, certain weeks more populous than others, it appears that that start to the weekend slot that it started with, is one both The Shadow Lounge & Gigolo now want to run with, last week’s “Cover Star” event marking the start of a new beginning for this superb Soho soiree that finds itself once again squaring up with it’s nemesis, the ever popular & packed out Room Service, the formula’s of both clubs quite similar although the settings a chalk & cheese comparison, perhaps deluding how these two will once again settle down as soiree bedfellows.

So, with Room Service having enjoyed a pretty long & exclusive Soho soiree run, it seems that Thursday’s with both Revival & Gigolo’s switch has suddenly exploded into eventing action and poses some interesting scenario’s for how these slot switches will pan out. That said, in Revival we have a gathering that is niche by virtue of the brand offering, the venue very much in the “Marmite” category, although despite its undoubted popularity, Room Service’s home, Maibella, is a love it or hate it compact & crowded affair, while The Shadow Lounge has always been, for us particularly, a venue aimed at a select few taller poppy’s of the scene, so has a certain stigma attached to it, all probably meaning that the three clubs will continue to attract their core following, while perhaps also benefitting from what will surely be a much bigger Thursday footfall give the increased choice on offer. However, of the three, we reckon Gigolo has the biggest challenge to cope with in matching the might of Room Service and the next few weeks will be telling in terms of whether it was the right decision or not, Revival perhaps looking like it will have an easier ride, even if the numbers may not swell significantly as a result. But, there is no doubt that Thursday’s in Soho have suddenly become so much more exciting and we hope this has a positive impact, not just on these three clubs, but across the clubbing circuit as a whole, plenty of opportunities for Soho bars & later running clubs to capitalise on these slot switches.

To some “News  Nibbles” now and up first is what marks the beginning of the season of Pride festivals/weekends, Brussels taking centre stage & three stand-out parties getting our attention, Hustlaball taking place this Friday (17^th May) at Fuse, while the following night, Hunkut stands in the Pride spotlight, special guest D.J. Hector Fonseca sure to draw considerable crowd, the ever popular La Demence rounding off the weekend with its “Leather Me” event on Sunday (19^th May), details on all three out via the following links, https://facebook.com/groups/47578419534/, https://facebook.com/events/231651163639557/ & https://facebook.com/events/582943995067829/.

Moving to Matinee and lovers of with global giant will be pleased as punch as their summer season begins in earnest on Sunday 9^th June with a twelve hour festival event  in Barcelona, while the following weekend, Matinee kicks of the Ibiza season with a massive party at Amnesia, France & Toulouse preceding both with special “VIP” gathering this coming Sunday (19^th May), Taito Tikaro among the guests, details on this out at https://facebook.com/events/127824810744558/, while for more on the Barcelona festival & the Amnesia season start head to https://facebook.com/matineegroup.

Back to London now and to the superb Shoreditch spot that is East Bloc, Wayne Shires & his team having really made their mark on the capitals clubbing circuit, hosting prolific parties such as DISH, Super Electro Party Machine, WAR & Gutterslut, as well as attracting others across, Bootyliscious the latest addition to the venue’s monthly Sunday schedule, while we have news that Queer Nation will be setting up “Social” stool from Sunday 2^nd June, the other date we want to share going to Gutterslut, which returns in two weeks time (Sat 25^th May), event details up at https://facebook.com/events/375244545927287/.

Then, looking further forward into June, the date & details of the ever popular Clapham Street Party have been announced, this exceptional event, now in its 9^th year, which also happens to be right on our own doorstep, once again takes place on the third Saturday of the month (22^nd June) and, given the queues to the last four events, will be choc-a-block, although this year & given its popularity, a standard entry of £4 is being charged, while fast track entry tickets are also on sale at http://ticketsource.co.uk/ details on the latest line-up & special guests out at https://facebook.com/events/377543915684510/.

And finally, also coming full circle, a quick mention goes to both Room Service & Gigolo, both having stretched their soiree legs, Jodie Harsh & her team well into a hugely successful run in New York, so much so that the parties are weekly each Wednesday, while Gigolo goes continental this coming Sunday (16^th May) as it makes its second trip to Paris, event details in full out at https://facebook.com/events/548802628504919/, while for details on Room Service’s NYC parties head to https://facebook.com/clubroomservice.

So that’s about it for this our first of what will hopefully be a weekly “Extra Bites/News Nibbles” feature, while watch this space for more event recommendations including a special preview on one of our three latest “Hot Shot Happenings”, the massive festival that is As One In The Park. (DISCO MATT)