The lights went out in nightclubs across the UK last March - and 8 months later dancing is still a thing of the past.

Whilst we wait for our favourite spots to reopen, we are taking a look back at South London’s iconic venues from 1910-2010.

Hippodrome, Kingston

Wandsworth Times:

The hippodrome nightclub closed its doors in 2018.

One of Kingston’s biggest clubs, it was formerly Volts Nightclub in 1995 and the Works Nightclub in 2000.

Purley’s Orchid Ballroom, Croydon

Wandsworth Times:

Opened in May 1950, Purley's Orchid Ballroom hosted dance nights, sporting events and rock concerts.

A year later a new venue called Tiffany's opened on its site and for the next 16 years it morphed into a succession of different nightclubs, including the popular Cinderella’s, until 1990. 

Caesars, Streatham

Wandsworth Times:

The club was built in the 1920s as the UK’s first purpose-built ballroom.

It was one of the premiere south London nightspots of the time, with Glenn Miller, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin among the top names to grace its stage.

It later became the Cat’s Whiskers club, the Ritzy then Caesars Nightclub. It closed in 2010 to make way for housing, flats and a theatre, in a high street regeneration scheme. 

Southside, Clapham

Wandsworth Times:

Formerly Southside, the clapham common club is now Infernos.

Little has changed apart from the Decor and the absence of the Huge Pillar Fish Tank that dominated the lower floor. 

Hammersmith Palais, Hammersmith

Wandsworth Times:

Hammersmith Palais opened as a roller-skating rink in 1910.

It later became a dancing venue, which was used in the Second World War despite the Blitz.

From the 1960s the Palais was used for live concerts and club nights until it closed in 2007.

Oceania, Kingston

Wandsworth Times:

Kingston’s controversial nightclub Oceania closed its doors for the last time in November 2013 – before re-opening as late-night hotspot Pryzm.

The Clarence Street venue had its licence temporarily revoked following the murder of a clubber the year before. 

Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon

Wandsworth Times:

The Wimbledon Palais de Danse originally opened in 1922 as a ballroom.

In the 1950s the formal dancing gave way to rock and roll with the building becoming one of London’s top venues for the stars.

The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who and The Kinks played throughout 60s-70s.

The place was sold in 1967 to a gambling organisation and then became a furniture store before being demolished and replaced by flats.

Crystals, Crystal Palace​Wandsworth Times:

The popular nightclub next to Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park announced in 2017 its premises will move to make way for the redevelopment of the football club’s stadium.

Crystals Nightclub has been based next to the Whitehorse Lane ground for more than 20 years.

The Fridge, Brixton

Wandsworth Times:

Fridge, Brixton, started in 1981, in a small club at 390 Brixton Rd, before moving to a bigger building.

Known for its quirky decor of ice boxes and artificial dead cats hanging from its ceiling, the Fridge finally closed on 17 March 2010 and reopened a year later in 2011 as Electric Brixton.