Legendary G-A-Y venue closes to make way for Crossrail
For many people in London it was the first gay club they ever went to.
Others remember seeing some of the world’s best bands perform there.
Whatever your memories of The Astoria, it is definitely all over now.
The former cinema turned music venue closed its doors for the last time in the early hours of this morning.
It is to be demolished in the next few months, a victim of London’s transport needs.
Crossrail, a £5.5 billion scheme, is the cause of its demise.
Due to be completed by 2017, Crossrail will connect Heathrow directly to the City of London and Canary Wharf and link planned new areas of housing development in the Thames Gateway to central London.
The Astoria, opened in 1927 and converted into a theatre in 1976, will be torn down as part of the redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road station.
While known and loved as a live music venue, it reached iconic status as the home of popular club night G-A-Y for 15 years.
Promoted by Jeremy Joseph, the G-A-Y night has played host to Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, the Spice Girls, Girls Aloud, Suga Babes and with X-Factor winner Shayne Ward.
G-A-Y nights are now held in Heaven nightclub.
