If you have a knack for nightlife, then you may have partied at the King Cross nightclub Soho. This was one of the oldest clubs in all of Sydney and its closure is a shock to many fans. Social media was ablaze yesterday and today with reports circulating that the club was shutting down. Many treated the reports as rumors perhaps because this was a favorite joint for many. However, the news hit home when Andrew Lazarus the owner confirmed that indeed the club was closing down. The lock-out laws whip has now landed on the club which has been in operation for 20 years.

Lazarus said these laws were destroying an entertainment precinct with his establishment being the latest victim. When the laws came into effect, patronage to the club declined significantly and the increased cost of compliance only made a bad situation worse. Continuing operations at the club is no longer viable and closing the club was only prudent.

An iconic club

Soho began its operation over two decades ago. For eight years the club operated under the name YU, however, in 2009, the club reverted to its original name. The club had been the life of the party on several nights when they hosted international acts such as Afrojack, Felix Da Housecat, Pual Van Dyk, Hardwell,Laidback Luke,Basement Jaxx and John Digweed.

The club praised for promoting local talent

Sydney DJ Glover, also took to social media where he praised the club for promoting and supporting local talent. He went on to say that the club had provided hundreds of DJ’s the opportunity to showcase their talent. He recalls having played in the club and said the venue offered him and many others a boost in their careers. His sentiments were shared by other musicians and fans who took on to social media to express their views. Many recalled of the nights they had performed at the club while thousands of fans shared memories of their fun times at the club.

The club previously under scrutiny

This is not the first time the club is making headlines. In 2013, the club had its share of bad publicity, when the 23 year old son of Andrew Lazarus was convicted for sexually assaulting a teenager right outside the venue. He received a three year imprisonment sentence.Luke Lazarus  testified in court saying that visits to his father’s club had given him a sense of entitlement and power. The club also faced negative publicity because at the time of the rape incident, pictures of a drunken young woman lying on the floor with her legs apart were posted on the nightclub’s facebook page. This only served to fuel the public rage as hundreds took onto to social media to criticize the incident.

The laws lockout more establishments

At the beginning of the month, Oxford St Nightspot had announced that it will be closing, prior to this, other late night venues, the Backroom and Flinders in Potts, also called it a day when they closed, citing the controversial lockout laws. The new rules were enacted to help curb alcohol-fueled behavior often experienced in bars, clubs and pubs. The law covers major hotspots such as Kings Cross, Cockle Bay, Darlinghurst, Hay Market and Rocks. Since the enforcement of the laws, patrons who leave or those ejected from such premises will not be allowed to re-enter. Licensed premises are not allowed to serve alcohol after 3am while bottle shops were prohibited to sell alcohol after 10pm.

Patrons and fans of the Soho club were forced to come to terms with the fact that the curtains had fallen on this venue; however, they will carry the memories with them for a long time.

The post Last and final drinks as one of Sydney’s oldest clubs close down appeared first on Electronic Music.

Among all of these preferences, there are some events and venues that stand out above the rest. From landmark underground locations to the most cutting-edge modern nightclubs, certain venues and festivals have endured through time and changing trends to become must-see destinations for any true fan.

Top Clubs: The Soul of Dance Music

Ranking the top dance club destinations in the world is almost impossible to do in this space. However, the following must-see, must-visit entries are just a few of that special branch of the club circuit that every serious dance fan must visit at least once. They are not ranked in any particular order but special attention has been paid to the legendary, the wild, as well as the unusual.

 ARMA17 – Moscow, Russia

This club deserves a spot on the list based on its international reputation alone. Frequented by the rich, hip and beautiful, ARMA17 takes its name from the abandoned warehouse that was its original location. Legendary DJs like Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos can often be seen either standing behind the decks or in the crowds. ARMA17 is a little bit off the established European club circuit but it possesses a unique atmosphere and a reputation for set lists that stretch far beyond sunrise.

Mamby on the Beach (USA)

Mamby on the Beach is a festival based in Chicago, Illinois and is a music festival that has been garnering a lot of attention in recent years. Chicago is not known for its beaches, thus it makes it peculiar that a festival would be organized here. But the reality is much better than it sounds. Each year you have a unique set of musicians joining in that are willing to share their talents and perform for the visitors that don’t only come from all over the US. Mamby Festival 2019 promises to be a good one so get your tickets now.

Paradise Club – Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is already a premiere travel destination because of its cultural significance and pristine natural beauty. Paradise Club is somewhere between a club and a venue with a unique atmosphere. In the past, Axwell and Laidback Luke  have spun here(so it’s a bit softer and more commercial sound) and the upcoming summer schedule is packed with big names in EDM. Hot music, hot sands and hot bodies: what’s not to love?

The Electric Pickle – Miami, USA

The “Pickle”, as it is affectionately known, is a modern incarnation of a thriving underground venue. Famed for its roster of acclaimed house and techno DJs, The Electric Pickle is a young club with an old soul. It’s seated in the heart of downtown Miami and Ame, Dixon and Seth Troxler have stopped by this hotspot recently.

Top Festivals: Out and Loud

When talking about the greatest festivals in the world, a few events deserve special recognition. Whether it is for their unique vibe, legendary status or for their location, these festivals create experiences that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. These three events are widely recognized even outside of the dance music community. Learning just a little bit about each of them makes it clear why they have such a famous reputation.

 BPM Festival – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Situated alongside the gorgeous Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen is a breathtaking destination with its own unique appeal. The BPM festival amps up the attraction at this exotic locale when it kicks off in early January. Most commonly frequented by house and techno artists, the music is always intoxicating and the beats are always fat at BPM. Surrounded by crystal-clear Caribbean waters and ancient ruins, this festival has hosted the likes of  Art Department , Jamie Jones , Guy Gerber and many others.

KaZantip – Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine
Arguably one of the most massive and extensive dance festivals on the globe, KaZantip boasts an average roster of over 300 DJs tearing up the sound systems at over 14 individual clubs. The sheer length and size of KaZantip makes it truly unique. Taking place over a five-week stretch and situated on 60,000 square meters, this festival is unparalleled in terms of scope. The sets are endless, the drinks flow freely and there is always something new to experience at KaZantip. Richie Hawtin, Noir and Sebo K all agree that this is a prime place for a no-holds-barred dance blowout.

Sonar – Barcelona, Spain

Sonar is a mainstay of the European dance festival circuit. In fact, this year’s festival will mark the 20th anniversary of the legendary event’s inception. For decades, the best and brightest names in electronic music have brought a spirit of innovative celebration to Sonar and this year is no exception.

Tomorrowland – Boom, Belgium

Although this festival is a little younger than some others, it has developed a massive reputation in only a few short years. Begun in 2005, Tomorrowland has grown in size and scope every year. At first, the festival lasted only a day with a handful of artists and audience members. The modern incarnation of Tomorrowland now lasts a full three days and features over 400 DJs and artists.

This event has become such a big hit that its small initial audience has expanded to over 100,000 attendees, with tens of thousands of online tickets being sold within minutes of being made available. Practically every major artist in the business is scheduled to perform at Tomorrowland and all signs indicate that this festival will continue to grow. In fact, this year the festival organizers have declared a new festival called “TomorrowWorld” that will be held in Georgia in the U.S.

Burning Man – Black Rock Desert, Nevada, U.S.

Almost no other name in the world of festivals conjures up as much mystique and power as Burning Man. Even people who may not know much about festivals in general have probably at least heard of Burning Man. Initially held as a radical and semi-spontaneous event put together by a few friends in 1986, Burning Man has grown slowly year by year. Also, the types and styles of music, art and expression have increased as the years have passed.

Although this festival was originally comprised of sculpture creation and performance art, the week-long event now includes music, dancing, collaborative art, customized vehicle shows, decorated bikes and the traditional construction and burning of a special temple. Truly, no other festival can captivate, inspire and enthral so many people in such a unique way. Much more than just a dance festival, Burning Man is a living performance where the audience creates the event itself.

Of course, it’s impossible to list every single must-see club and festival in a limited amount of space. Also, if a particular club, venue, festival or event isn’t listed here, that’s not to be taken as a reflection of any particular location. There are dozens of other clubs and festivals equally as great as the ones mentioned above.

The destinations on this list were chose to represent some of the best, wildest and most legendary stops on the international club circuit. Because the international dance community is so massive and because new sounds and new hotspots appear all the time, there is always something new and extraordinary to discover.

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