Nightclubs, bars, clubs and discos are a major part of modern nightlife culture around the world, and no more so than in the UK. The UK has long been at the forefront of many of the innovations in this form of popular entertainment.

What is a nightclub?

There are now many different types of nightclub (sometimes known simply as clubs), but the major difference between a nightclub and a pub or bar is that it has a dance floor. Some nightclubs have live bands playing, but in most cases a DJ (disc jockey) plays carefully-chosen music that caters to the nightclub clientele's specific likes.

What are the major types of music playing in night clubs?

As time passes difference music comes in and out of fashion, but all nightclubs do not necessarily always cater to the most popular musical trends. Certainly, the majority of clubs play popular top 40 hits, mixed with crowd-pleasing upbeat music from the past couple of decades. On the other hand, many nightclubs cater for specific musical genres. Dance music is consistently the most popular music found in nightclubs, but even this genre can be split into hundreds of sub-genres. A nightclub could even specialize in heavy metal, salsa, music from a particular decade, or more esoteric musical styles.

What is a cover charge?

Many nightclubs in the UK charge an entry fee, also known as a cover charge. This can range from a small fee to a high ticket price that needs to be purchased in advance, particularly if the performing DJ is well known.

What is a guest list?

Many nightclubs maintain a 'list', which allow certain patrons free entry, reduced prices, or other benefits such as a reduced queue. This list can sometimes be very difficult to get onto (if the nightclub wishes to maintain an image of exclusivity), but in other cases one can simply pay to get onto a guest list by visiting the nightclub's website.

What is a dress code?

Most nightclubs have some form of 'dress code', which is a specified level or type of dress that patrons must wear to gain entry to the club. The simplest form of dress code would be 'no jeans or trainers', but many nightclubs have a more vague dress code (often known as 'dress to impress'). Being vague, this allows the door staff (or 'bouncers') to discriminate at will, choosing whoever they wish to enter the club while barring entry to others they deem unsavoury.

What is a Superclub?

A Superclub is a club that has reached a high level of reputation, is commonly backed by a record label, and enjoys a large advertising budget. Superclubs tend to be physically large, high capacity nightclubs, who book big name acts and DJs. Some major clubs release albums of the anthems playing at their clubs, and these releases can be heavily sought after and considered a gauge of what is hot or not in the world of nightclubs. The price of entry to a Superclub is, accordingly, on average much higher than a regular nightclub entry charge, and despite being large venues Superclubs can frequently become sold out.