A north east London accessible nightclub celebrated 20 years of ‘disrupting nightlife’ last weekend.
The Bubble Club, specialising in inclusive nightclub experiences, marked the occasion with an exhibition curated to celebrate the club’s history.
The idea for the club was born out of a need for safe nights out for adults with learning disabilities, according to managing director Iona Ascherson.
She said: “A lot of funding for learning disability programmes didn’t consider going out at night or going out independently a priority.”
So the club, initially created by advocacy charity Map Squad and now run as an independent arts programme, set to change that.
After talking to learning disabled adults around Tower Hamlets, the group hosted its first event on 14 September 2005 at the Rhythm Factory, drawing in more than 200 adults from around east London.
And 20 years on, the Bubble Club has continued to ‘disrupt’ ideas of community and fun, where for six nights a year, the venue at 93 Fleet East comes alive with DJs, live music, and experimental performances.
Since that first night, people from all over London – and beyond – have made the journey to join the events, some of whom Ascherson said have been coming for the entirety of the club’s history.
She added: “You have this great cross section of society coming together. It’s one of the most diverse spaces I’ve been in.”
And it’s not just those with learning disabilities who are welcome to join in.
The inclusive nature of the club nights has meant that the Bubble Club is open to all, inviting walk-ins from the street and members of the public from all backgrounds.
“I’d say 70% of people are learning disabled or have autism and the rest is a mix of people who love the program and just enjoy the night out because the atmosphere is so great,” said Ascherson.
“Another great thing about the club is we have people who are in their 70s, and some people who just turned 18, and they’re all on the same dance floor mixing together.”
Although not the first club of its kind in east London – Ascherson noted that title belongs to the Beautiful Octopus club – the Bubble Club has become the largest and most regular.
“We are a well known touch point to socialise,” she said. “We’re serving a lot of London and I think it could probably do with a few more of us.”
With the next event fast approaching, set for 29 October, the Bubble Club continues to thrive, and the organisation can only hope to see a few more familiar, and new, faces.
Photo credit: Ben Sage
Join the discussion