The Bridge celebrated its re-opening at the Sanctuary in Birmingham on 18th August. I was not a visitor to this club when it existed before and therefore had no preconceptions.

The taxi driver who took us there from our hotel was chatty and insisted on knowing why we were going to The Sanctuary and what sort of Club we were attending. We ended up telling him it was a fetish club and then having to explain that term as a club where people wore PVC and leather (well we werent going to tell him its a club where people beat the living sh*t out of each other when the guy hadnt even heard of fetish) "Ooooh you mean kinky?" he said "Maybe I better come in because I am kinky" Goldenwulf and I studiously looked out of the windows. When we got to the front entrance of the Sanctuary there was nobody except a handful of 18 year old vanillas outside and I didnt fancy providing the cabaret in the form of two pervie clad wrinklies joining them in the queue for their ecstacy sprinkled rave. Goldenwulf ventured out of the cab and they took one look and told us the entrance we required was around the back. So we drove round and round the block until we spotted another couple obviously destined for the Bridge and got out and followed them.

As I entered the club I was able to look down at it from the top of the stairs. It certainly looked impressive in a different sort of way, different that is from Rapture which I usually frequent. The walls were all deep red, the staircases metal, the equipment rough and dangerous looking, the lighting skilfully used and the music (at that stage) slightly wierd. One or two couples had already started to play even though it was only about 9.05pm and there were no more than a dozen people in there.

My first negative was that the bar sold only bottled beer, water and alchopop .. no wine, and the water was ?2.55 a bottle. Even at that price and pray though I may .. I couldnt turn it into wine. The next point was that there was scarcely anywhere to sit. The whole venue probably provided seating for maybe 10 people along the edges. It looked what it was ... a converted factory. The venue began to fill up very quickly and the temperature soared. I dont think I have ever been so hot. When we returned to our hotel that night I had to remove my PVC top extremely carefully for fear of losing a nipple, so securely was it stuck to me. To finish the negatives, the toilets were a bit of a disgrace.

The most positive part of the evening was the African tribal drumming band. Most people are aware that tribal drumming is a very sexual thing but it is absolutely amazing to play to! I think everyone was spurred by it, trying to keep rhythm with it and generally feeling it set their souls alight. A friend of mine remarked that a sort of power exchange was going on between the players and the band, the band being stirred by the sight of us and we being totally inspired by the sound of them. In spite of the nearness of the bystanders and the discomfort (relative to Rapture) of the equipment we got totally carried away playing. The music apart from the drumming band was good too, ambient and loud enough to provide the atmosphere without precluding conversation or bringing on that ringing in the ears that is still with you the following day.

There were some nice outfits but fashion is does not seem the main priority of those who to attend the Bridge. Neither is there any dancing. We got the impression that it is a serious players club.

A nice touch was that buffet food was handed around all evening although I dont know whether that and the drumming band were just marks of the re-opening rather than regular treats we can expect.

To sum up, if comfort, dancing, seeing and being seen in exotic gear are your priorities then the Bridge is not for you in my opinion but if you want a dark industrial slightly dangerous atmosphere then this is your place. As a Rapture fan, it didnt really suit me but I wouldnt completely rule out a return visit.

ophelia