London’s nightlife and cultural scene has suffered some major losses this year, including Elephant and Castle’s legendary Corsica Studios – so it’s always great news when a new venue opens. After announcing its upcoming arrival in May, a huge warehouse venue with capacity for 7,000 dancers will officially open on the banks of the Thames this weekend. 

will throw open its doors on Saturday, October 3. It takes over a former industrial site used by the film industry in London’s Royal Docks and boasts a sprawling indoor and outdoor space spanning 150,000 square feet. The creators of Ironworks – LWE and PROJEKT – contributed to creating Printworks, The Cause and Tobacco Dock.

Kicking off the festivities this weekend will be Jamie Jones, who will be treating ravers to a dose of nostalgia with a set dedicated to music from the 2010s. The event will also feature live performances from Camden Cox and Constance Power, plus sets from Seth Troxler and many others.

Across its first season, Ironworks will put on five shows welcoming a host of international and local DJs, including Eric Prydz next weekend (which has already sold out), Charlotte de Witte (also sold out), and Camelphat. A special Halloween party will see Groove Armada, Lewis Carroll, Egyptian Lover and TKT Tarantino take to the stage. 

Alongside the pumping beats, Ironworks also has an exhibition by the Museum of Youth Culture that traces the evolution of rave culture. Work from photographer Yushy, who has spent years documenting the capital’s underground music scene (and recently photographed Notting Hill Carnival for Time Out), will be on display, as well as acid house rave shots from Dave Swindells. 

Ironworks, Thames Wharf, Scarab Close, E16 1AF. Buy tickets here.

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