It’s no secret that we’re a party-loving brood.
The babes have been known to bust a move everywhere from Camp Bestival to the Clore Ballroom (Southbank Centre).
Our list of Top Baby Discos in London is aimed at adults and kids alike. That’s right, we’ve picked spots where grown-ups can cut loose too like the good old days — just don’t trip over the little people!
Typical Features: DJs, dance floor/hall, bubble machine, glow sticks, baby chill-out zone, licensed bar for grown-ups, baby changing facilities, buggy park, healthy snacks and treats
Average Price Range: £5-£9 for walking humans, non-walkers (6 months and under) FREE
Top Family Discos in London
In alphabetical order:
Baby Loves Disco at Sway, 6 Great Queen St, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
The original afternoon clubbing experience for families, kicking off in New York and quickly becoming a global phenomenon that set off the baby disco craze. BLD UK has regular parties in Brighton, Edinburgh (the Edinburgh Fringe grooves sell out fast), Glasgow and London, and I’ve hot-stepped with the boys at Baby Love Disco parties everywhere from Notting Hill (The Tabernacle) to Stratford Circus. DJs Dub and Rob Pursey spin a mix of pop and throwback tunes. Most recently, we hit up West End club Sway for a BLD pyjama party where I couldn’t tear the babes away from the light-up disco floor. Unlimited good times. 1-4pm, £9/non-walkers FREE, last Sat of month. (next London date Sep 28)
Baby Rave, Pirate Castle, Oval Rd, NW1 (Camden Town tube)
Aimed at the cooler Camden crowd, Baby Rave brings a family festival feel to north London. Themed parties, acoustic sessions and the now standard elements of live DJs, bubble machines, baby chill-out zone and healthy snacks combine for a fun way to spend a weekend afternoon. 2-5pm, adult £4-£6/child £3/non-walkers FREE. Back in September after summer break, dates tba on web site. (from Sep)
Big Fish Little Fish: 2-4 Hour Party People at Effra Social, 89 Effra Rd, SW2 (Brixton tube)
Brand new to the scene, BFLF brings family clubbing to Brixton. The brainchild of former raver Hannah Saunders, the monthly events launching in September promise amazing DJs (everyone from Charlie Dark to JC from Queen of Hoxton and from Secret Garden Party), confetti cannons, chil-out zone with inflatable tents, cabaret acts and an ultra cool crowd. The Babes checked out the pre-launch last weekend, loving the hang loose atmosphere, the mix of rave/disco/club classics (everything from Good Life to The Sun Rising), jerk chicken BBQ and delicious ice creams out front. It was all that and a rum and coke! Look out for fancy dress themes at future parties. 2-4.30pm, adult £8 advance/£10 door; child £4.50 adv./£5 door; non-walkers FREE (next dates Sep 21 and Oct 19)
Clore Ballroom at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Not strictly a disco venue, but one of our favourite play spaces. The Clore Ballroom is a free area in the Royal Festival Hall where on any given afternoon, you’ll find babies, toddlers and bigger kids running about. It’s also the setting for a variety of FREE live music and dancing events. Some we’ve loved have been Charlie Dark’s Hip Hop Babies at the Imagine Festival, the Hula Hoop Hop and Strictly Ballroom. Coming up in August, Streetdance Showcase as part of the Urban Arts Festival (Aug 3-4)
Disco Kids at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 (New Cross/Deptford overground)
Family Sundays at this popular venue in Deptford offers a chill-out cafe, a lively show and on occasion, an afternoon boogie for all ages. Dancing queens, kings and their minions (that’s you mamas and papas) get down to the sounds of DJs, and a dance choreographer showing you how to work it. Keep an eye on the web site or mailing list for upcoming events! 2-5pm, £5.50/family £20 (held on a Sunday).
Disco Loco at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42-46 Pollard Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Probably our fave family rave (Ezra threw his 6th birthday there), this East London party is all about funky tunes and feelgood vibes. Hipper than most but certainly not cooler than thou, Disco Loco features resident DJs the Lovely Emily, Earl Gateshead and Reverend Milo Speedwagon plus hosts e.g. Chu E keeping the crowd lively. Acoustic sets in the chill-out room and yummy food stalls all keep us coming back for more. They’re taking it outdoors again at the end of summer (Sep 15) for their 2nd Disco Loco in the Park, a fab afternoon of FREE live music and grooving in gorgeous Springfield Park, Hackney. They’ll also be at Standon Calling festival (Aug 3). Disco Loco’s regular monthly clubbing season kicks off again in October, keep an eye on the web site/mailing list for details. £3 per head, babes-in-arms FREE.
Kids Disco at That Place on the Corner, Newington Green, N16 (Highbury & Islington tube)
Catch a little Saturday Night Fever (on the last Saturday of every month) at this brilliant cafe that offers classes and family activities, birthday parties, Friday magic shows and a monthly kids disco. Book a table for a tasty dinner, then follow with dancing led by disco diva Natalie, with some choreography and karaoke thrown in. Really fun night out for the family, very popular so do book ahead. Disco is free for diners. (last Sats of month)
LolliBop Festival at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E15 (Stratford tube/overground)
The family festival for kids ages 10 and under is relocating to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this summer, and it’s transforming the Itsy Bitsy Strictly Tent into an entire dance zone. Expect dance choreography and classes from salsa to Zumba. Or dust off your disco moves with the Mini Disco and Disco Shed. The dance floor at LolliBop’s always a crowd-puller and we can’t forget the LolliBop Mini Disco held in 2011 at legendary club venue Ministry of Sound! Festival tickets £20-£28/family of 4 £72-£110, babies under 12 months FREE (Aug 16-18)
Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall in London Wonderground at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Coming to London as part of the Festival of Neighbourhood and the London Wonderground, internationally-renowned DJ Monski Mouse rocks the Spiegeltent with her afternoon dance club for kids under 5 and their parents. Spinning every other Sunday through September, DJ Monski and her crew will have young and old raving to pop faves, retro classics and nursery rhymes remixed. 3pm, £8 (until Sep 15)
MORE PLACES TO GO DANCING WITH KIDS IN LONDON
Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
We can’t wait to check out these lively barn or ‘ceilidh’ dance parties, set to English folk music, with a band and caller to show you the moves. Grab your partner and do-si-doh! Family Barn Dances take place throughout the autumn/winter season, see web site for ongoing dates. 2-5pm, adult £5/child £3/under 2s FREE (next date Nov 17)
We Dance Wee Groove at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
We love the sound and look of this interactive dance experience, with two sessions for under 5s and ages 5-7. Dance production company stillmotion blend music, professional performers, big screen and floor projections, and dramatic lighting to get teeny toes and hips wiggling. A stimulating and fun environment for all babes (and their grown-ups) who love to boogie. Follow the groove at www.wedanceweegroove.co.uk 11am (under 5s) and 1.30pm (5-7); 1 adult + child £10 (Jul 30-Aug 11)
BIGGER KIDS DISCOS
Eddie Catz Disco Room at Putney, Wimbledon, Newbury
Popular south London kids soft play and activity centre features a disco room for bigger children and party hires. Eddie Catz is open daily from around 9.30am-6pm (venue times vary); adult £1/child under 1.55m £4.75-£5.75/babies under 8 months FREE
Future Disco Kids, The Space, 269 Westferry Rd, E14 (Crossharbour & London Arena DLR)
Pop happy disco party with DJs, dance contests, lights and glitter balls for ages 3-10. 2-5pm, adult £3/child adv. £3, door £5. Keep an eye on the web site for upcoming dates.
Roller Disco Family Jam, Renaissance Rooms, Mile St, SW8 (Vauxhall tube)
Weekly rollerskating to live DJs, suitable for families with kids ages 5+. 11am-5pm, £10 skate hire/£7.50 own skates/spectator (Sats)
LONDON KIDS DANCE CLASSES
Diddi Dance, various venues
Action packed pre-school dance classes for under 5s set to funky pop tunes. Celebrating 10 years in 2013, 99 venues across London!
Latino Bambino, various venues
Salsa with your baby for a fun workout at these tot-friendly fiestas, with salsa classes for kids too. From ages 6 months +. Venues include Islington, Chelsea, Richmond, Greenwich and Deptford.
Toddler Jam at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15 (Stratford tube/overground)
Fun movement classes for ages 1-3 jamming to child-friendly reggae, pop and world music.
Zoo Nation Saturday Academy, Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
Hip hop dance classes from the acclaimed dance company for kids as young as 4. Classes for under 8s on Sats (term-time) 9am-10am, £84 for term, FREE trial class (next term dates Sep 7-Oct 19)