The history of Dublin clubbing (part 2)

Even buzzing about town on a Saturday afternoon and catching the eye of someone similarly clad would warrant a knowing smile. This is where the real magic lay, what created such a gargantuan atmosphere, everyone on the same level, going through that initial honeymoon phase together. Just before the ballroom closed down, a new three level, all night club called the Asylum opened and that's exactly what it was. It bore witness to the first batch of E casualties, burnt out ravers desperately chasing that initial rush, the dawning realisation that nothing this good lasts forever painted across their jaded faces. However, a fresh batch always arrived to fill the void and this new crowd kept the balance in check. The Asylum also welcomed in a new batch of DJ's. Dilly, the then Northern Ireland mixing champ, took residency in the Asylum along with Dublin's Ed case, Warren K and Pressure. The clubs eventual downfall was its very open display as a drug haven and was soon shut down. The Temple of Sound opened soon after and was in complete contrast to the Asylum. Along with G1, another legendary club in Phibsborough and the later to come Kitchen, it had a full bar. By then many clubbers re-embraced alcohol as the drug of choice laughing off the days of chastising the demon liquid. Manager Ken Kane gave a new home to Scurry, Moy, house maestro Mark Dixon and introduced Stephen Mullhall and Paddy Gallagher as well as top class international guests. Like Sides, after a couple of years the Temple sadly changed management and in turn, the DJ's and music policy, before eventually closing down altogether. Taking this more professional standard to the next level John Reynolds opened the POD. With an award winning interior design and re-incarnations of club 54 bouncers on the door the original ethos was somewhat lost. Granted it boasted a pristine sound system but was strictly for the ears of the beautiful people. In 1996 the POD's sister club the Red Box opened next door which thankfully had a slightly more relaxed approach and a more varied music policy. Two clubs that worked away in the background, slowly building from the ground up were McGonagles and UFO. In '88 McGonagles started off with a mixture of indie, acidhouse and popdance under the banner of the Voodoo club, and later as En-duce giving residence to the Banana Boys (Mark Cee and Dave MCDonald). The venue eventually got a facelift and thrived for a few years as The System. UFO started off as a small affair in the UCD bar in 1989 and moved to the Rock Garden in Temple Bar three years later. After a brief stint in Powers hotel, the brainchild of Frnally moved to Columbia Mills (on Sir John Rogerson's Quay) in 1994 where it gained a religiously loyal crowd, one key to atmospheres of such electric status. Columbia Mills also played host to the Beat club, the early incantations of Influx boys Paul Davis and Johnny Moy, with guests such as Andy Weatherall, Darren Emerson and regular Dublin visitor David Holmes (then known as Homer). The Beat club was like a re-incarnation of early sides, nights put on in style with cutting edge sounds attracting devout music lovers and was a recipe for success. Today, Influx, the Redbox and the Kitchen are still thriving and people like D1 and Ultramack continue to push the original idea of quality music in a friendly atmosphere, by music lovers for music lovers. Almost ten years later now, clubs are still opening and closing and no matter how big or small, all face the constant battle against Ireland's archaic authorities. A major cheers to all who've fought the battle and apologies if I couldn't fit you into this space, you know who you are.