Fire is over, long live Fire

Clubland, News by Simon McD on October 27, 2008 at 5:22 pm

First things first: we’re not one for personality assassinations, nor for throwing words around without due thought or consideration – especially when people’s livelihoods or work is at risk. But in terms of gay clubbing Fire, in its current state, is over.

We first started going to Fire in early 2003 when it hosted superafter hours Later on Sundays. We then progressed to AM – one of London’s sexiest Friday nighters. The venue, the crowd and the music were fresh. The novelty of a no-holes barred clubbing extravaganza – where horny guys high on everything writhed around – soon took hold and we were there every single week, tops off and tits out, raging around the dancefloor with gaggles of other buffed up beauties. This was London gay clubbing at its best. It was fun, it was fresh and it was free of attitude.

Pages: 1 2 3 4

Tags: clubbing, Fire, Vauxhall

Bill&Ben

Hi guys

I have heard something very disturbing from someone who was at Later Pride weekend party.

While outside in the garden everyone was chilling having a dance etc whatever. Normal stuff. Allegedly it was becoming a regular occurrence to have objects fall into the garden from angry neighbors facing the garden.

Now apparently a sharp metal object was thrown from a local resident and landed in a clubbers forehead and embedded itself securely. The guy was so trashed and in shock he pulled it out immediately which led to some quite dramatic bleeding that freaked out quite a few other party goers.

Is all this true? Is it all just a bad acid trip from the reporter?

Did anyone else see anything?

If this is all true are the police getting involved and is Fire going to put up some high protective fencing to stop this kind of thing happening?

Will the resident get prosecuted?

George Apaya

I went twice, the last time was 12 months ago Never again! the music was mind numbingly bland; I witnessed two fights, one where I nearly got smacked in the face. In addition, I thought the venue was far too small for the amount of people who were there. In the end I couldn't see what the big deal was. If it dies, I for one will not miss it.

jeanniedee

Ive been to Fire quite a few times and always found it a great place , but never seen anyone on GHB or Shagging in the toilets .........Got a feeling I'm missing out here somewhere !!!

GSTAR

Agree, Fire is now full of the dregs of gay society up in London with their cheap day return tickets. Shame, as the venue and the old days really rocked.

Syeve Player

I must agree, the owner is one of the most malicious people around... why do people continue to work for him or go to the venues is beyond me... Maybe The Fridge can come back and inject some new life into clubbing... We are all fed up of the same old records played by the same worn out faces, who obviously are not enjoying it, too laud and with no soul. Naff girls and boys who are down right rude, and messy muscle marys who have to take cheap dangerous drugs to get a high. I have stopped my Saturday outings apart from the occasional event, and now prefer a good Friday in the alternative bars Vauxhall offers and the occasional scermish to the larger events...

Fogey

My resenmtment at patronising the ownership of Fire culminated on summers day on the Lawn. I witnessed the Owner take a dislike to a (very handsome, er,... continue) Spanish guy who was laughing and, unfortunately looking in his direction, and walk over to pour his drink over the paying Spanish patrons head. The guy, startled and then enraged, stood and made a lunge towards the Owner - to be pounced on by Security & thrown out. Respect? Nah!!

bla bla bla

Fire Die Long Ago....and personally im very happy
All the news written on this article wasn't a new news at all, we all knew what going on at Fire, and now is host leading straight night like Mulletover and a Zombie Eat My Brain using different names and entrance Fire gone straight long long ago with AM.
The owner never agree with anyone and never been friends of anyone either so we not surprise let them go straight, and will see straight gangs hidden under the names of Funky House Parties get in the venue and let them do the job....and one day we will read on the news the happening...personally ain't care less what ever happen to all thing are orange and his owner i never like it never will....
Fire Have Always Suck!!!!

Lloyd

Since Megan left this year, Fire has gone downhill big time. The numbers are down, the music is too commercial and the people who work at FIRE, especially DJ, are not being threated the way they should.
Thankfully Jeni is still at the door and smiling! Better nights coming up, like HOURS@RADUNO

Luke Adler

I think the last time I had fun in Fire goes back to 2005. Since then it deteriorated into this dark and evil shithole. It's just a refuge for people to get really trashed, it's not about dancing and meeting guys anymore. And what about the entry charge and the drinks prices? So expensive for such a shit night out. Staff is generally unfriendly from bouncers to bar tenders. C'mon, we deserve better than this!

jason

Problem is that the responsible licensees are working hard to establish other promo nights. Its just spread to crash and we'll see the same level of druggies being put out into the street as before in fire,- without medical assistance. Sad that it is allowed to thrive.

KP

Wow! Great article! Fire has sincerely burned itself out! Burn baby burn! The atmosphere of FIRE, including staff and patrons was destroying the gay scene. Why pay money to get into a place that's a bit like hell! It's a shame? Can FIRE save itself? Can someone resurrect it from the dead?

Paul Burston

Well done on sticking your neck out. Judging by the comments so far and some of the reports I've heard from people, this was long overdue. At the end of the day, we get the gay scene we deserve. Put up with shit and we'll be fed shit. Demand something better and, who knows, we might even see some improvement. If the allegations against Craig are proven to be true, it's a disgrace that he's got away with it so long. I wait with baited breath to see the outcome, and how it's reported in the gay press.

andrew

This is a great article... I could not agree more... I have not been to Fire for over 8 months now and last time I was there I got into 2 fights:

– one with some strait guy who was shoving everyone out of the way to get his girlfriend through the crowd on the main dancefloor. One would have thought he would use the walkway to the side.

– the other with one strait brazilian steroid head dancer who was just shoving everyone around like he owned the place.

Not been back since!!!!

Per

Fire has been dead for a while now. But let the clubbers who still goes there fuck in the toilets and collapse on GHB. I think it's better for them to do it there than if they do it at home or in another club, I mean there's always medics around.