TOP 100 CLUBS: EUROPEAN FOCUS
With Miller Genuine Draft
2014’s Top 100 Clubs poll, powered by Milller Genuine Draft saw a resurgent Ibiza take control of the top spots, following last year’s Brazilian victory.
But in running alongside this Ibiza boom, and the regular contenders from London, Berlin and Amsterdam we wanted to shine a light on some of the less well-known European contenders.
Over the last few years Croatia has developed into one of the world’s most exciting new clubbing locations - so much so that we now publish a dedicated summer edition there. At the forefront of this movement is Papaya - a beautiful outdoor venue on Zrce Beach. As the location for Hideout and the DJ Mag Summer Festival, the venue attracts DJs and party people from across the continent each season.
Think of clubbing in Germany and the words ‘Berlin’ and ‘techno’ surely spring to mind? But Europe’s powerhouse nation has a more varied scene than many people credit. This is evidenced by Bootshaus - the Colongne venue where you are more likely to catch yourself moshing to Flux Pavilion and Showtek than sidestepping to minimal techno. The venue - previously known as Dock 8 - are clearly getting something right, as they shot up 16 places in the 2014 ranking.
Despite slipping down the chart in 2014, Belgium’s Fuse is one of our favourite European venues, not least due to its relentless commitment to underground dance music, even in the midst of the EDM boom. The former cinema is run by the driving force behind I Love Techno festival, and this epitomises the prevailing spirit of the 1,600 people who cram into the venue each week to listen to the likes of Marco Carola and Loco Dice.
Our final stop in our rundown of Europe’s hidden gems takes us to Sofia, capital city of Bulgaria, where Yalta (pictured above and top) is a clubbing and electronic music institution. The intimate, sleek, jet-black box of booming sound has one of the continent's most infectious atmospheres. There is resolutely no VIP section and regulars serve themselves at the bars. Like one happy family united by the four-four beats - Yalta is an experience never to be forgotten!
Where are your favourite European dancefloor destinations? Join the debate with on the @DJmag and @Miller_Global Twitter pages using the #Top100Clubs hashtag.
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