MINISTRY OF SOUND ULTIMATE GUIDE
Frid - Sat: 11:00pm – 6:00am
Time Needed: 4 hours
Price: £26
London might be known for its landmarks, museums and free walking tours during the day, but by night, the city unleashes a sparkling nightlife!
The Ministry of Sound is more than just one of the best-known clubbing venues in the UK. It’s actually an internationally-recognized franchise with an online brand, radio station, magazine, clothing line, DJ equipment range, and one of the largest independent record labels in the world.
Since being founded in 1991 in a former bus depot, the Ministry of Sound hosts a ton of musical events throughout the year ranging from big-named concerts and New Year’s Eve events, to techno and acid house rave parties. The Ministry of Sound has become so well-known, over 300,000 clubbers and electronic music lovers from all over the world take the pilgrimage to Elephant & Castle just for the sheer reason of saying they stepped inside the world-famous club.
The Ministry of Sound spans out over four different dance floors, and contains various bars throughout the building. The club was recently refurbished at the end of 2013, and now boasts a VIP suite with a viewing gallery, a new courtyard and two new balconies; not to mention a massive new sound system.
Special Tips
If you sign up for the Ministry of Club's mailing list on their official website, you will be sent special discounts and exclusive deals every month via email.
Be aware that the Ministry of Sound isn't for everyone; if you don't like to be in crowded places with loud music, then perhaps this club isn't for you. There are many free night tours and pub crawls in Camden, Shoreditch and other neighbourhoods that you can try for a fun night out.
If you want to hear some of the many artists who have performed at the Ministry of Sound in the past, or are slated to perform for an upcoming event, visit the Ministry of Sound's Soundcloud page.
Getting There
Address: 103 Gaunt St, London SE1 6DP, United Kingdom.
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube the nearest station is Elephant & Castle, which is a four-minute walk away. Once arriving at the station, turn left out of the university exit, and take the second left onto Gaunt Street.
By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, you can reach the Ministry of Sound via routes C10, 63, or any bus heading to Elephant & Castle.
By Car: If you are travelling by car, be aware that there are no public parking spaces near the venue, and the surrounded area is a residential zone (which requires parking permits), thus the use of public transportation is highly recommended.
It's important to note that the Elephant & Castle tube station doesn't open until 5:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings, and 7 a.m. on Sunday mornings; however there is a night tube that operates from Kennington and Southwark underground stations. There are also several bus stops located near the club where buses operate throughout the night.
Visiting the Ministry of Sound
Customers are asked to dress “smartly,” “stylish,” “fashionable” and “fresh” during their visit to the Ministry of Sound, so try to avoid wearing any tracksuits or caps; (jeans, t-shirts and branded trainers are all allowed).
It’s recommended that you arrive extra early to each event, as some events may have lengthy queues which means waiting outside for longer periods of time. Because of the club’s popularity, be prepared to queue up at any of the club’s several bars when ordering your drinks.
All entering customers must provide valid photo identification which will be scanned before entering the venue, and only a UK photo card driving license, a passport, or a PASS identification card with a PASS hologram are accepted. Any false ID will be confiscated and reported to the police.
Members of staff may be conducting random searches of customers at random times depending on the event, and the club operates a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, or anyone suspected of consuming or selling drugs in the venue. If drugs are found on a customer, the person will be detained and reported to the police.
There are toilets scattered throughout the club, and a large covered seating area outside for smokers. Be aware that once you leave the club’s main entrance, you will not be allowed back in. You can leave your belongings in the cloakroom for £2, and there’s also eating and drinking options available outside the main DJ room as well.
The use of filming and photography for commercial purposes is not allowed, unless it is for personal reasons. Anyone who is seen filming without prior permission may have their camera or recording equipment confiscated.
When travelling to and from the club, please note that the surrounding area is a residential zone, and to keep noise to a minimum at all times.
Prices and Opening Hours
The Ministry of Sound is open on Fridays from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., and Saturdays from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m. with last entry at 4 a.m.
Depending on the event, tickets can cost anywhere from £16 (for students) to £26. Customers also have the option of purchasing their own VIP table which includes a bar spend of £65 per person, private VIP toilets, fast-track entry, designated hostess service, a personal VIP cloakroom, and access to the VIP balconies which overlook the club’s main rooms.
You can purchase your tickets at the door, however you can save money on ticket costs by purchasing your ticket online and in advance from the Ministry of Club’s official website. Although the use of cash is recommended, you can also use a credit card when ordering a drink at any of the club’s bars.
For more information on upcoming events, visit the venue’s “Listings” page on their official website.
Ready for partying? You might want to take a look at the list of pub crawls and free tours in London that run daily.
