Popular Dundee nightclub Kings has closed down

Popular Dundee club Kings has closed its doors for the final time.

The venue announced the news via a post on Instagram, writing “Dear Dreamers, Kings doors have now closed for the final time. Big thanks to our great staff, DJs & crew who have stuck by us as we tried to fight the forces of WaCk in Small Town Clubland.”

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”Extra special thanks and praise to all of you who showed up each & every week and without whose support we would not have lasted these past 5 years, ” the post continues. “Until we meet again…… Much love from the Small Town Club Family.”

Established in 2019, Kings was opened by the owners of respected local venue The Reading Rooms — a club which received high acclaim from a number of international artists, including Gilles Peterson who said: “This club reminds me of the best little clubs in Japan… and London”.

The Reading Rooms was closed in 2019 following a police investigation, which revealed, “blatant drug taking”, as well as underage drinking and overcrowding, forcing the venue to cease operating.

The opening of Kings occurred later in the year, a move which was seen as, “continuing a legacy of vibrant nightlife and musical diversity.”

During its running period as a key part of the city’s nightlife, the club hosted a number of big name DJs including Tim Reaper, Kolectiv, Artwork, Erol Alkan, Surusinghe, Adam Pits and others.

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The club is the latest to close down, in a year which despite efforts from the Music Venue Trust (MVT) has seen on average five nightclubs close down every week, with the majority of these being independent venues. This follows on from the worst ever year of nightclub closures, with 125 being lost in 2023.

Jamaal Johnson is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow him on Instagram