A Mecca for House music
Six years ago Prague witnessed the opening of Mecca, a venue that has become one of the most influential dance clubs in the city. Found in Prague's mostly industrial Holesovice district, Mecca focuses primarily on DJ parties and House music. Last week, for instance, it played host to Germany's famous Milk N Sugar, who "let a bit of the sunshine in". It was either be there or be square for those into the club scene.
"It's so lovely, when it's sunny...let the sunshine in..."
Just a few days after Milk N Sugar's much touted performance we sat down with the man known simply as "Peter" - the programme manager at Mecca - a DJ himself. He told us about the club's direction and style:
"Mecca started as a restaurant and it changed in the first year to become a club and café as well. That's what it still is today. It's a cultural place: that's what people should know. Designer furniture, good music & good atmosphere. It's definitely not about techno! Mecca is about House music. "
Beats.
Fashion, style, and design: all are three elements that one can not help but notice when entering Mecca. Nothing is taken for granted: the former factory space transformed into the height of faux-70s style: high-back violet chairs, dome lamps, soft beige walls, brick, long black vinyl couches, fastidiously arranged bottles behind a green bar. The element of the soft seating is also replicated in beige vinyl padding that lines some of the walls. But programme manager Peter says Mecca routinely changes its appearance to stay on the cutting edge.
"The design is changed every year. We like to hold with fashion which is always evolving and we want to keep with things so that Mecca remains the most fashionable club in Prague."
The dance space is big enough to host a truly decent party: a large black room with a massive bar. On the weekends many dress to kill on the dance floor at Mecca where it's nice to "see and be seen". Though there's no dress code many people who do come like to make an impression.
More music.
One final aspect worth mentioning about Mecca is Holesovice itself, the area that still houses a good share of factories and warehouses. Mecca cranks out music all night, never having to worry about keeping locals awake. You can party till late at night or early morning, then marvel at the alien industrial landscape when you cab it home; a landscape that will make you think you are in the East end in New York City rather than Renaissance Prague.
