Iconic London nightclub forced to close down before squatters take over

Another staple of London’s nightlife is gone and has already been taken over by squatters.

The Dogstar in Brixton, south London, closed for good last week, despite their reputation as being one of ‘the most visible Black clubs’ in the capital.

Squatters have since occupied the building and have even placed a legal notice in the window.

Heavily mispelt, it reads: ‘We occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person at location.

‘Any entry or attempt into these premises without our permission is therefore a criminal offence.’

They added they can only be removed by a county court order, Brixton Buzz reports.

The bar was run by pub chain Antic, which was hit hard by the Covid pandemic, with locals reporting ‘near-deserted dancefloors’ after lockdowns.

This is despite the pub being considered a part of the epicentre of the 1981 Brixton riots while named the Atlantic, and enjoyed a strong reputation until 1994 when it closed.

The pub even found itself targeted in the 1995 Brixton riot, which was sparked when a black 26-year-old Wayne Douglas died in police custody after allegedly robbing a couple in bed at knifepoint.

That same year the pub claimed to be the first DJ bar in the UK and slowly won over locals due to its later opening hours and sound system.

Antic went into administration in July, and by September no buyers could be found forcing the pub to close.

It is one of the latest nightlife venues to close, as in October Tiger Tiger closed their doors to become a luxury hotel.

It covered four floors, had one restaurant, four large dance floors and five bars.

Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club has also been threatened with closure, despite being seen as one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ friendly venues in east London.

Its ‘sticky carpets soaked with queer memories’ faced the threat of being washed away after the owners announced their intention to sell the building.

It sparked a campaign to save it with more than 100 people turning out for a rally outside, with many holding up purple Your Venues Need You placards.

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