After over a decade at its legendary home, it’s all change at XXL as it moves home, down the road, to super-club Pulse! Cliff Joannou speaks to Mark Ames about the sudden change of plan…
OK, so XXL is moving to Pulse. First things first… what’s the deal with Arcadia? You mentioned that there are structural issues?
Yes, Arcadia falls within the boundary of the Jubilee line extension. We’ve had Network Rail engineers crawling all over the place for the past six months and they have identified two structural cracks in the main two arches. For obvious reasons, health and safety is a priority here and the use of amplified music is exasperating the problem and until this is rectified no more club nights.
So, is Arcadia closing permanently or just until those issues are resolved? Will XXL return to Arcadia?
Hopefully they will rectify the problem, but the plan is to move XXL permanently to Pulse, and then once the problem is sorted at Arcadia we will open it up again and do different nights there. But Pulse is XXL’s new home.
It’s not the first time XXL has been at Pulse – last New Year’s Eve was a huge party. How was that event perceived by your customers?
Furnomenal – they loved it – one of the biggest XXL parties to date and the crowd took to the venue like a bear to the woods.
In terms of layout and format, how will XXL fit into Pulse? We take it the main floor DJs will be in the main room at Pulse?
Yes, they will and Joe Egg will have his very own dance floor! We’re also adding a chill out area, massive covered garden and huge cruising zone.
Cool, so which room at Pulse will the Fur Lounge with Joe Egg move to?
Arch 1, which is the Arch adjacent to Southwark Street.
And you mentioned a cruising zone where randy bears and blokes will be able to find a discreet place for a cuddle…
Oh my, the bears cubs and chubs will have a wonderful time with the new layout!
XXL at Arcadia was famous for its outdoor terrace. How will you accommodate the smokers and those after a breath of fresh air?
We’ve now got the fifth Arch at Pulse, which extends onto Invicta Plaza, which is a private road. This Arch is huge and puts the outdoor terrace at Arcadia to shame.
And what about XXL Wednesdays? Will they be moving to Pulse?
Yes – from this Wednesday.
What format will it take?
XXL Wednesdays will be held in the two smaller arches of Pulse, with the entrance on Southwark Street – we’re jazzing the layout up – it’ll have a mega maze!
• XXL moves to Pulse (1 Invicta Plaza, London, SE1 9UF ) THIS Saturday 17th March!
