Manchester’s The Loft has been named the Best Club in the UK at this year’s DJ Mag Best of British Awards, securing one of the biggest accolades in the country’s electronic music scene and adding a major milestone to the venue’s rapid rise.
The Loft, found an the industrial estate off Oldham Road, opened in 2021, but the intimate 200-capacity former industrial unit on the city’s outskirts has already become a favourite among DJs and club-goers. The white-walled space has earned a reputation for its house and techno foundations, ‘proper tunes’ and a strong sense of community.
On the win, the team said: “Anyone who’s taken on a space from inception and slowly built it over time knows the difficulties, yet also the pockets of joy that come with creating a club. We’re so proud of our team and grateful for the trust we have from the dancers. The Loft facilitates so many memorable moments, and that’s pretty darn cool to say.”
The club described the award win as a defining point in its journey, adding that while the project is still evolving, being recognised nationally ‘means a lot’. The crew added: “We’re still far from where we want to be; the next few years will see our space become part of so much more, but being seen and respected for who we are right now, and to be acknowledged as the best club in the UK means a lot. We send a huge thank you to everyone who voted and danced with us, none of it would be possible without you. Here’s to many more magical years ahead, and the beautiful stories still to be told.”
This year’s programming helped cement its win, with The Loft hosting collaborations with Rinse FM, Dungeon Meat and Love International, as well as sets from world renowned DJs including Berghain legend Marcel Dettmann, Ben UFO, Prosumer, Moxie, Shanti Celeste, Move D and Onur Özer. Its mix of global names and emerging local talent like the Animal Crossing and SlapFunk parties has been central to its growing influence.
The Loft beat several other national contenders to the award, including fellow Manchester venue Amber’s. In response to the result, Amber’s said: “We always said that no matter what happened, to be nominated for Best Club at the DJ Mag Best Of British Awards was a victory to us.
“We didn’t win last night (massive shout out to @theloft_mcr) but our journey has only just begun. What an absolutely incredible ride this last 12 months has been, we really are eternally grateful for the support and trust that’s been sent our way.
“Truth is, running a venue and putting on parties is a labour of love and we genuinely love this world. No matter what, that love will always be at the core of what we do. We don’t know what the next year holds for us but we do know that whatever it has in store, we’ll give it our absolute best. Onwards. Always.”
The Loft’s win underscores the strength of Manchester’s club culture at a time when independent nightlife faces mounting pressures, with reports suggesting that three nightclubs closed each week this year, and a staggering 800 late-night venues since 2020.
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