The Loft has just been crowned Best Club in the UK at the DJ Mag Best of British Awards.
Tucked away on an industrial estate, this 200-capacity spot only opened just four years back in 2021. Attendees will no doubt be familiar with its white walls framing the house and techno soundscape, providing a cracking dancefloor to a crowd that treats the place like home.
The team sounded pretty chuffed, and rightly so: "Anyone who’s taken on a space from inception and slowly built it over time knows the difficulties, yet also the pockets of joy that come with creating a club. We’re so proud of our team and grateful for the trust we have from the dancers. The Loft facilitates so many memorable moments, and that’s pretty darn cool to say."
They called the award a big chapter moment, while staying clear-eyed about what comes next: "We’re still far from where we want to be; the next few years will see our space become part of so much more, but being seen and respected for who we are right now, and to be acknowledged as the best club in the UK means a lot. We send a huge thank you to everyone who voted and danced with us, none of it would be possible without you. Here’s to many more magical years ahead, and the beautiful stories still to be told."
Programming has done plenty of the talking this year. Collaborations with Rinse FM, Dungeon Meat and Love International sat alongside big-hitting guests like Marcel Dettmann, Ben UFO, Prosumer, Moxie, Shanti Celeste, Move D and Onur Özer. Add in rising local crews such as Animal Crossing and SlapFunk, and you get a picture of why the place carries such weight.
The Loft edged out some serious competition, including fellow Manc venue Amber’s, who took the result with genuine warmth: "We always said that no matter what happened, to be nominated for Best Club at the DJ Mag Best Of British Awards was a victory to us.
"We didn’t win last night (massive shout out to @theloft_mcr) but our journey has only just begun. What an absolutely incredible ride this last 12 months has been, we really are eternally grateful for the support and trust that’s been sent our way.
"Truth is, running a venue and putting on parties is a labour of love and we genuinely love this world. No matter what, that love will always be at the core of what we do. We don’t know what the next year holds for us but we do know that whatever it has in store, we’ll give it our absolute best. Onwards. Always."
All this comes during a tough spell for nightlife, with independent venues constantly under threat and clubs across the UK closing at an alarming rate, making this Manchester win feel way bigger than just a trophy.
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