Platform One
Editorial Review
Platform One is one of the more striking physical spaces you'll drink in. The Banana Alley vaults are a series of brick and concrete tunnels built in the 1890s, originally for storing fruit and vegetables. Recently renovated by a range of businesses, Platform One has turned two of the tunnels into a bar and club space with a distinctive feel. The long concrete tunnels stretch further back than you'd imagine from the street, and are more spacious than they sound. One contains a bar, bathrooms and a lounge space; the other hosts the dancefloor and a second bar. There's a limited range of the most obvious spirits and imported beers, and nothing on tap.
The decor is simple but stylish, and makes the most of the long, narrow shape - red cushioned benches along the walls, low circular tables and a smattering of decent graffiti art on the walls. Some sections of wall have retained the original red brick to good effect. The dim lighting is punctuated by a few fairy lights, the odd candle and the glowing red panels that line the bars. When it comes to the bathrooms, it's hard to tell who's supposed to go where - but hey, we're all friends here. The only half-arsed part is the tiny smoking area, which is enclosed by temporary cyclone fencing, decorated with a few pathetic shreds of bamboo.
Platform One attracts a slightly more serious clubbing crowd than nearby competitors. The DJ pumps out reasonable dirty electro-house rather than commercial crud, and there are few teenagers to be seen. It's only open Fridays and Saturdays, attracts very large crowds and gives priority to members and VIPs. Prepare to queue and to pay cover charges. A nice place - if you can get in.
Geoff Lemon, January 2009
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