The UK – and specifically Manchester, where The Haçienda was a nightlife pillar for fifteen years – is the birthplace of the superclub. From London to Belfast, Birmingham to Liverpool, the land of Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed and Robert “Fergie” Ferguson is rife with cathedrals of dnb, house, trance, garage and every other genre of electronic music that whips beat heads into a convulsive furor. These 12 tower above the rest.

Warehouse Project, Manchester – Photo credit

Fabric
77a Charterhouse Street, Smithfield, London

One of the first names in superclub lore, Fabric holds over 1,500 heads at a time and has global cred.

Where to stay: Metropolitan Hotel London

London City Guide

Ministry Of Sound
103 Gaunt Street, Elephant & Castle, London

Easily one of the most important brand names in world club culture (and owner of the best logo), MOS is a perennial taste and kingmaker in the fickle business.

Where to stay: The Cumberland A Guoman Hotel London

Area
67-68 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London

Three dance floors, five bars, a spacious terrace and state of the art sound system make Area the spot to vibe in Vauxhall.

Where to stay: Mint Hotel Westminster

Proud2
The O2, Peninsula Square, Greenwich

With a capacity of 2,600, Proud2 at The O2 is the best superclub refurb in London in recent years.

Where to stay: Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel London

The Island
180-182 Hungerford Lane, Strand, London

For electro, house, chillout or live music, The Island is a strong Strand superclub bet.

Where to stay: Baglioni Hotel London

Gatecrasher
182 Upper Broad Street, Birmingham

The name is synonymous with superclub superstardom. Gatecrasher pulls in all the top DJs, has room for 2,800 and perhaps the best club room in the infamous “Sin Bin”.

Where to stay: Macdonald Burlington Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham City Guide

Cream
1 – 3 Parr Street, Liverpool, Merseyside

No clubhead pilgrimage is complete without a stop at Cream Nation in Merseyside.

Where to stay: Britannia Adelphi Hotel Liverpool

Liverpool City Guide

Digital
Times Square, Newcastle

The “Fabric of the North” has built a good enough reputation to stand on its own merits. Digital draws quality talent and appreciative masses to Times Square, Newcastle week in and week out.

Where to stay: The Vermont Hotel Newcastle

Newcastle City Guide

Warehouse Project
beneath Piccadilly Train Station, Manchester

A Manchester icon up there with Sir Alex Ferguson, Warehouse Project is a temple of techno that consistently throws the wickedest parties ever seen in a carpark below a train station.

Where to stay: The Light Boutique ApartHotel Manchester

Manchester City Guide

The Arches
253 Argyle Street, Glasgow

Glasgow’s best superclub concentrates on product and delivers the goods, one event at a time.

Where to stay: Lorne Hotel Glasgow

Glasgow City Guide

Mynt
2-16 Dunbar Street, Belfast

Patrons of all persuasions pack Belfast’s most energetic and hedonistic club with nightly zeal. Mynt does it all and it does it well.

Where to stay: Ten Square Hotel Belfast

Belfast City Guide

Stiff Kitchen
1 Bankmore Square, Dublin Road, Belfast

Belfast’s raver haunt par excellence is another DJ Alan Simms brainchild. Stiff Kitchen is underground nirvana in the Northern Ireland capital.

Where to stay: The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast