''Deceptive is
the word I would
use to describe the Reflex.
Looking at the compact building from the outside, I wouldn't have
believed the club houses a moderately sized dance floor
with adjoining stage and
balcony, as well as an ample
sized bar. And that's just the
ground floor! A wonderful
addition to this ''tardis'' is the
Forum Bar on
the first floor,
complete with burning torches
and its own water feature -
an ambrosial fountain, which
gives a Romanesque feel for
true decadence.
Established in Putney, the club
took over its present London
Road site in 1998. 'The Reflex
is a gay and lesbian night club
and not a venue that operates gay
and lesbian nights,' stated
the manager Chris Dayman-Smith. 'We have a very loyal
membership base that's
constantly growing.
Gay venues
are well known for their excellent
music policy and we ensure
that ours is consistent with our
customers' expectations.' |
The club certainly backs up its
claim with previous live acts
including Atomic Kitten, D-Side
and Lisa-Scott Lee (who is due
for a return performance on
October 11).
It sounded like they really
look out for their punters, so I thought I'd check out the music
for myself.
On hearing the
opening vocals to the Weather
Girls' classic It's Raining Men,
I hurried on to the dance floor
before a volcano of hands rose
in the air. And boy was it worth it
-what an eruption! Everybody
on the brimming dance floor was
really giving it some and the
atmosphere was electric.
I
danced as much as my kitten
heels would let me before
deciding it was time for a drink.
The Forum Bar was teeming with
happy clubbers sitting at tables
and congregating around the
bar, the only noise being from
distant vibration from below,
the hum of people chatting and
laughing and Channel 4's Will
and Grace being shown on
multiple screens at the far end
of the room! What a refreshing
change to have a chill-out space
where you are able to hear
yourself think, and engage in conversation where you don't
end up giving the recipient
permanent ear damage.
Vodka in one hand and a made-
to-order sandwich from the snack
bar (which also serves freshly
made coffee) in the other I found
a place to recuperate. It wasn't
long before the next table started
to involve me in their conversation
treating me like an old friend,
which just sums the club up!'' |
