Having won numerous awards and accolades from the UK's dance press, and with guaranteed queues around the block by the time the doors open, Miss Moneypennys is one of the key players of the UK clubbing scene, sitting alongside Cream, Gatecrasher and The Ministry of Sound as pioneers of the great Saturday night UK based dance event. Miss Moneypennys is synonymous with style, chic and panache and as an annual resident of one of the Worlds most beautiful clubs in Ibiza, ‘El Divino’ since 1995 it’s not hard to see why. As well as this Miss Moneypennys regularly tour the UK and also host parties worldwide including Cosmopolitan European Cities, The Med, The Far East and the USA. As always the Moneypennys brand oozes class and every party is filled with a combination of celebrity and public alike with one common aim, to simply have fun!
Whether at home or on tour, whatever the club, it is always decorated lavishly every time so that it befits the people who visit it. A large emphasis is placed on the aesthetics of the club, and specially built décor sets are installed and changed regularly to ensure that the club looks and feels innovative and luxurious. The annual legendary Chuff Chuff events are a sight to behold. Usually held in sumptuous surroundings with the venue kept a closely guarded secret until just days before, there is no other party like it in the UK. Each event has a theme, whether Angelic, Virginal, Roman style or simply full of Devilment it attracts socialites, celebrities, pop stars and the general public to one huge party of unrivalled hedonism and is like a breath of fresh air to all who attend.
For all events the DJ's are carefully selected for their musical selection and technical abilities and not for any perceived celebrity status - at Miss Moneypennys the music definitely comes first. Miss Moneypennys is not just a leader in musical terms, but has also become a magnet for discerning designers and followers of fashion. The parties attract a knowledgeable, fashionable and cutting edge crowd, who combine an educated understanding of dance music with a desire to express them visually.
Recently the club has gone back to its roots following a brief spell of putting on their regular weekend event outside of Birmingham.
Following the closure of Bonds some two years ago, Moneypennys started putting on a few events at a club in Wolverhampton, ‘The Canal’ and at Liberty’s Nightclub in Birmingham. Although hugely successful Moneypennys Director Mick Ryan always knew Bonds was the brand’s spiritual home and when the old club went on the market for sale he jumped at the chance to buy it. After purchase, the old Bonds Nightclub was gutted from top to bottom and after an extensive re build the end result was a club to die for, HQ was born. Says Mick, “Bonds had always held a special place in our hearts as it was our home for many years. We were away from the venue for just over two years and it was great news when we heard it was on the market for sale. It was a proven club and I just had to snap it up, it’s just the romantic in me I guess”.
HQ’s style is completely fresh and up dated with sweeping arrangements of curves and circles without a corner in sight, however, for old time sake the Ryan brothers decided to keep the DJ booth and the main bar in the same position. There are loads of really cool areas for customers to enjoy and has been designed to promote interaction and fluid movement as well as creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. HQ also boasts an award winning sound system that blast out the tunes with digital clarity throughout the lavish split level club. Mick adds with a huge smile on his face, “The old crowds as well as the new absolutely love it”. Attracting like-minded souls from all over Europe, as always the club chooses to ignore barriers such as race, gender and sexuality, and focuses instead on the music that is played and the attitude of those present.
The club is a regular hang out for the UK's cooler celebrities all of whom remain loyal the Miss Moneypennys cause. They include Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay, The Pet Shop Boys, Mick Hucknall and Fatboy Slim to name just a few, however, everyone is welcome to a Moneypennys event, simply make an effort with your dress sense and leave any attitude at the door and you will be warmly welcomed. For more information on Miss Moneypennys, HQ, Chuff Chuff and Tours Log on to their website via the link below.
Written by Andy Wheeler.
