You know it as soon as it reaches your ears. The upbeat, house-adjacent rhythms you’ll hear shuffling out of London’s perma-clogged rush-hour traffic arteries, student union bars, box parks, night-bus phone screens, street market jollof stands, and late-night barber shops. Afrobeats has staged a happy-go-lucky coup of the city’s airwaves in the last couple of decades, building by stealth into one of the capital’s signature sounds with its persuasive beats and lovestruck harmonies. So naturally it’s found a home for itself at Ministry of Sound.
As London’s most iconic night club, Ministry of Sound has been the site of many of the local Afrobeats scene’s most exciting events so far, whether it’s big ticket headline shows from influential selectors like Black Motion and Da Capo, or club nights showcasing the freshest new talent that we’ve put on with cherry-picked Afrobeats promoters such as Sondela.
Laid back, lovelorn and mellow, the only thing Afrobeats cares about with any intensity is keeping things sweet, and this is a vibe we can totally get with whenever the time comes to bring the dance inside to Ministry of Sound. Hosting Afrobeats events Fridays and Saturdays till 5AM – or, if we’re feeling particularly up for it, 6AM – is an increasingly regular flex for us.
Less a defining, singular sound and more a collection of different dance styles deftly banged out by party-loving Nigerians, bottle-popping Ghanaians, and London’s West African diaspora, the layout of Ministry of Sound is perfect for cradling multiple branches of the same scene under one roof. For example, you might have the hottest London Afro-trap artists headlining our legendary main room The Box, while The Baby Box – set slightly off from our central 103 bar – keeps things on more of an Azonto tip.
Upstairs in The Loft, you might find vocalists half-singing, half-rapping in pidgin English who identify more with the label ‘Afropop’ than they do ‘Afrobeats’. Whether it’s hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, Afro-rave, or naija beats that really gets your boat floated, if you’re looking to dance all night to Afrobeats in London this weekend, check out the Ministry of Sound listings – tickets are available in advance right up till doors open at 10PM.
And keep an eye out for Afrobeats day parties coming soon to Ministry of Sound, too. We’ll be lifting you up for a session of infectious beats and banging street food so you can parlay your Saturday afternoon into something better than sitting at home, staring out of your window at the London drizzle.
Afrobeats are also a popular sound at our student nights, which take place every week and are a gateway into London nightlife for anyone new, young and excited arriving in London. Funky, hyped, and energetic, you’ll hear the sounds of the world’s top Afrobeats artists like Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid, Davido and Rema at all the Afrobeats nights we hold at the club – as well as live sets from fresh and bubbling acts like Enoo Napa, Hyenah, Lemon & Herb and Kitty Amor.
With an incredible, world-beating sound system in our main room The Box, an array of great drinks deals at our bar, and some of the most awe-inspiring lighting rigs you’ll find anywhere in London, Ministry of Sound is the place to come for a late-night hit of Afrobeats.
If you’re interested in elevating your experience, or celebrating a special occasion, you can also get in touch to book one of our luxury VIP table service deals – turning up your night out to a different level for a red-letter time-of-it that will live long in the memory. After fast-track entry into the club, a designated host or hostess will keep the good vibes flowing, serving up special pre-booked drinks packages to your private booth. To upgrade your night, reach out to a member of our friendly team via the ‘Table Service’ page on our site.
So, are you feeling fully primed for a night spent dancing to the most elite Afrobeats tunes around? It’s time to familiarise yourself with the latest topline hooks emerging from the streets of Lagos, Accra, and London. It’s time to dust off your favourite clave. It’s time to polish up your Big Time Billy Bashment boots, ‘cos now it’s time to shine. Ministry of Sound is here to get your night up and running in the right direction. We can’t wait to see you.
