In a regular new feature Vision’s Queen of Clubs Teja Pisk profiles the sights and sounds of York’s infamous nightclub scene. This week she starts with…
Willow!
You’ll soon discover that nights out in York fall quickly into a comfortingly familiar pattern, as each night comes with a set, typically YUSU- sponsored, destination. One permanent fixture across the week, though, is Willow, or THE WILLOW DISCO as its heavy-duty and awkwardly hard-to-remove stamps like to remind you the morning after. Open from 10.30pm to 4am, later than nearly everywhere else in York, Willow is there to help you see out the night.
By day Willow is supposedly a Chinese restaurant, but by night it’s a club with a large and devoted fan base, renowned for free prawn crackers and the DJ’s passion for ‘90s pop tunes. Just a brief warning, though: I use the word ‘club’ generously. Willow is essentially a largish room with a bar and a DJ booth. Looking for a passionate hideaway, or just somewhere to put your coat? There are benches around the side. And tables. But don’t be put off by its somewhat scuzzy appearance; Willow is not to be missed.
Location?
Middle of the high street, in between the Orange phone shop and La Senza. Concerned you won’t have enough cash for your entry and an Efe’s on the way home? No fear, Willow is oh-so-helpfully located opposite a row of cashpoints. It’s what your student loan was made for.
Famous for?
Everything. From the unlimited free prawn crackers, to the floor so sticky it could trap mice, to the random string of blue fairy lights around the ceiling and the shamelessly cheesy pop tunes. Willow is not famous. Willow is legend.
Bargain Booze?
Sambuca and Tequila shots are £1, and you even get salt and a tray of limes to wash them down.
Most likely to encounter?
Everyone who was at the club you were just at. Also a particularly favourite haunt of DramaSoc and PantSoc.
Least Likely to Encounter?
Anyone who prides themselves on only ever listening to music with “credibility”. Or dubstep fans.
Sounds like?
The Macarena. And Lady Gaga.
When to go?
Every night. The timing for Willow is tricky. Too early and you’re met with a dancefloor that’s empty save for a handful of people demonstrating an outstanding knowledge of the Saturday Night dance routine. Too late and you’ll be stuck outside in an unmoving queue. For most nights 2.00/2.30am should be safe.