First time in London – is Ministry of Sound still worth it in 2026?
Posted by epachon@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 35 comments
Hi everyone, hope you're all doing well!
I’m travelling to England for the first time and will be spending a few days in London with my girlfriend.
I’m really into electronic music, especially house, and ever since I was younger I’ve always heard about Ministry of Sound.
- Is it still worth going in 2026, or is it not what it used to be?
- What actually makes it special? I’ve watched a few videos but it’s hard to understand the layout. I’ve heard there are 4–5 floors/rooms, but I couldn’t quite figure it out. What’s the main difference compared to other clubs?
- On the night I’m planning to go, a “well-known” DJ will be playing. If there are multiple rooms, how do I know which one he’ll be in? Is that announced beforehand?
- Are the queues long? Should we arrive early?
- What’s the best way to get back to the hotel late at night? I’ll be staying at The Trafalgar St James London.
- Which ticket would you recommend for a couple? Is the “Pair Deal” worth it?
- Is there another clubs I should be visiting before Ministry of Sound?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Virtual_Opinion_8630@reddit
List some Djs you like
you should pick the event based on the music rather than the club.
epachon@reddit (OP)
I’ll only be in London for one weekend.
I’m into house and tech house.
Ministry of Sound will have Sam Divine, and KOKO will have Armand Van Helden; I like both.
But I’m more interested in the overall experience than just the music.
blenderider@reddit
Koko 100%. I would not go out of my way to go to Ministry of Sound.
epachon@reddit (OP)
well, just checked the price and its a no for me, unfortunately Koko is asking almost 100 pounds for armand van helden… while Ministry is 11 pounds for a Pair of tickets for me and my gf…
My currency is worth 7x less than a pound so its almost like paying 700 pounds for a club ticket
reditcyclist@reddit
That's not how FX rates work dude.
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
Tbf to the OP, the minimum wage in Brazil is about £240 a month, so for low earners 7x would probably be an underestimate.
epachon@reddit (OP)
you are right on the spot.
I earn around 1k pounds a month, which puts me on 5% wealthiest in Brazil, believe me.... I will be paying 200 pounds for a Premier League game though, but I dont see 100 pounds on a nightclub as a good investment
HumbleAddition3215@reddit
You’re getting ripped off on the footy. Most I’ve paid is about £80-90 for the most expensive seats in the stadium other than hospitality. Should be able to get decent seats for £50.
epachon@reddit (OP)
I had to get the hospitality seats cause the game I could attend was already soldout
ggssmm1@reddit
Suspeito que seja BR pelo quão valorizada é a sua moeda kkk
Cara, não dá pra vc economizar no hotel para poder ir em outros programas que são mais caros tipo Koko? Você vai estar hospedado na Copacabana daqui, vai custar bem mais.
Se precisar de qq dica só falar
epachon@reddit (OP)
Fala amigo BR hahahaha me ajuda ai hahaha to indo com minha namorada e a gente queria pegar uma baladinha, mas nada de som mto pesado q ela n curte (techno, trance, psytrance essas coisas pesadas) mais um house assim. Q q bomba ai em Londres? Ou ta fraco de balada igual em SP?
ggssmm1@reddit
Fabric e MoS são as principais para house, mas tem que ver an agenda pq sempre tem algo diferente. Phonox em Brixton é uma opção, assim como FOLD. Vai depender do seu gosto.
O O2 em Greenwich tb tem programação variada. Não é boate mas já vi Pete Tong e SHM la por exemplo, então meio que vira boate dependendo do evento. Qq coisa manda msg no privado aí
epachon@reddit (OP)
Te chamei lá, obrigaod pelas dicas!
Virtual_Opinion_8630@reddit
fabric that weekend is drum and bass on Friday and techno on Saturday with three rooms open
Virtual_Opinion_8630@reddit
you said you like house?
https://ra.co/events/2403804
bishibashi@reddit
Go along, have fun and tick it off. It’s not the 90s any more but you know that, I reckon you’ll enjoy yourselves.
speedfox_uk@reddit
I second this. The thing with MoS is that there are lots of clubs around the world like it (which, to be fair, is because those clubs copied it), but Koko is much more unique.
_kapitan@reddit
I used to be part of the management team at Ministry of Sound a couple years ago. During my time there the senior management above me went through an overhaul - as a result I would say it is absolutely not worth visiting anymore and while the price may be incredibly cheap and it seems worthwhile there is a reason for that and your time and money would be better spent at a number of other fantastic venues in London.
epachon@reddit (OP)
could you list some?
ck3llyuk@reddit
Excellent sound system, but otherwise a bang average club. Go and see who you want to see, not based on the club.
EyeAware3519@reddit
Even though I have been raving since the early 90s I only went to the MOS for the first time two years ago. I found it incredibly disappointing. The rooms are small and apart from the main room the sound systems are shit. Only seating areas are outside which is fine for the summer, not so much in the winter.
No idea, because it's in London probably
There are normally printouts stuck to the wall of each room, it may also be advertised on socials but completely dependent on the promoter.
Was no queue when I went
Uber or walk
Whatever is cheaper
Campden Palace and Brixton Academy seemed better from personal experience, it's been years since I have been to either though. The quality of a night mostly depends on the individual promoters, DJs and general vibe though.,
aj_speaks@reddit
Fold
junkyardfloozy@reddit
Close thread
BillyJoeDubuluw@reddit
It was always the more commercial end of the market in terms of the club scene…
That’s not to say it was never worth a squirt, but there were far more interesting clubs and not all of them were in London.
Having said all of that, it is an institution and an experience… Get yourself gone and enjoy…
I’ve always “followed the DJ as opposed to the club” so I’ve been to some very sharp venues and some very down to earth venues alike, but I think if I was specifically “doing a city” and there was a club I fancied I would probably just go along anyway and immerse myself in the lineup, however obscure.
flexo_24@reddit
Soundsystem wise - yes. One of the best. The Box is the main room and is literally a box with the DJ raised on a platform slightly. The ‘well known DJ’ will most likely be in the main room. Then there’s a huge bar area and another room outside of the box.
As to the clientele, well that’s a different story. I wouldn’t really want to be in the crowd for Sam Divine.
As others have said check out other events. The smaller venues are almost always more fun. But I get that you’re a visitor and want that London clubbing experience - try fold, the cause or MOT. Maybe Phonox as well. Fabric is like MoS, insane sound system but the crowd is usually off
Chopsticks_Charlie@reddit
Have a look on resident advisor for a vibe you like there's soooooooo much more to London than fucking ministry of sound.
I'll have 2 waters please
Lazy_Crab_3584@reddit
That'll be £25 please.
Yes we accept card
Alternative_Head_416@reddit
I’d look at Fabric, had some brilliant nights there in my youth but admittedly haven’t been out in a good number of years now. The actual venue is great though and won’t have changed.
EvilTaffyapple@reddit
Ministry of Sound was always for the more commercial sound of House in the 90’s.
Try Fabric instead.
Responsible_Wall6834@reddit
What’s on at fabric when you’re there? You say you like house and fabric does quite a bit of house. It’s not the hedonistic mayhem it used to be but is still good, and much better than Ministry.
Desperate_Land_8975@reddit
I went for the second time two years ago. The first time was in 1991. Banging time both times.
garlicmayosquad@reddit
I think it's had its day, many of the best London clubs have closed now. Worth a visit but wouldn't set expectations too high.
WheresMyAbs98@reddit
It’s an appallingly bad club in my opinion but depends what you like I guess.
I think it’s catered towards 18 year olds who like chart music.
If you’re into your music/the rave scene avoid it at all cost.
gpeccadillo@reddit
I haven't been to Ministry of Sound for a very long time, so others will be better placed to answer most of your questions.
I would check Resident Advisor listings for house nights on the dates you will be in London to see if any DJs or events catch your eye.
You can filter results by date and genre. Here are Ministry of Sound's listings specifically.
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