The Works Nightclub, Kingston > Reviews > Works Nightclub in Kingston on Thames

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Good
Standard of Menu	Average
Atmosphere	Good
Standard of Service	Average

Advantages:	Huge place, huge dance floor, good music
Disadvantages:	Security is OTT, drinks spilled on dancefloor

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

This review is about my own experience and opinion of Works in Kingston. I thought I'd try Works again many years after my last visit. I arrived after 11pm when people were queueing up to get in. About 10 minutes later the four guys in front of me were next trying to get into Works. They were all turned away with no apparent reason given by Security. Why on earth the security guy refused entry to these three black guys and one white guy dumbfounded me. There was nothing odd and strange about them, in casual gear, just four guys looking for a night out. Anyway, I was next and was asked to produce some form of ID. I showed him my drivers license and he let me in. They really do relish checking every one out, not excluding some form of discrimination. I was disappointed about this to say the least. Inside there was another security check in form of a metal detector you have to go through, after which another security guy does a body check. Then at last, welcome to Works I thought.
Inside Works is huge and was in full swing. It was busy, but not overcrowded. In the main hall, you dance to mainly house, techno,and R&B. The music is quite good, and not too loud. There is another much smaller dance room on the second level playing mainly 70s and 80s music. There is also plenty of space to chill out upstairs. The majority of people hang out in the main hall. There is a good mix of people, all mainly in their 20s and 30s from what I could tell. Now to the good and the bad points from my experience that night.
The good points is that Works is huge, with a huge main dance floor. I'm not the biggest fan of techno and house, but the DJ played a good mix of tunes, something for everybody. Works states dress code is smart, no sportsware/hoods. You can get in with a clean or smart pair of jeans, but generally I avoid jeans going to nightclubs since I want to look abit smarter. Membership is free so you don't have to pay full admission on weekends, which is currently £10.
Bad points are security. Works had some bad press of violence and drugs. In my opinion, it's not because of Works, but because of some people opting for violence and drugs. The other bad point is drinks on the dance floor. I've never seen so many plastic(?) bottles, and some glasses, rolling around the dance floor. It's disgusting, with the alcohol making an otherwise smooth dancefloor really sticky to dance on. Drinking should be off the dancefloor. The crowd can get a bit wild, but everybody is having fun.
In summary, do I recommend Works as a nightclub ?
Yes for once in a while. It is a huge venue and packs a lot of people. Obviously, I have been to other nightclubs like Oceana aka Options. As any club, they both have good points and bad points. Oceana is abit more glitzy inside than Works, but I go for the atmosphere and music. Currently, my favourite place is Crystals Nightclub near Crystal Stadium. It's a small place but it more than makes up for tor this with it's atmosphere and really good music, 70s, 80s, reggae, R&B, Soul, and more, something for everybody, not just the young.
My advice is to give Works a go and see how you like it.