Text: ME8I/me8i.blogspot.com
“In a West End town, a dead end world, the East End boys and West End girls…” These were the words the Pet Shop Boys used circa 1984 to describe social differences between East London and the west end. Things shifted a little since then with the hippest parties nowadays finding refuge in the east end. Caligula, renowned for it’s strict guest list, takes place every Friday at the bathhouse, an old public bath transformed into a hot venue taking it back to the roman era.
Caligula is the brainchild of Jim Warboy and Leo Belicha and despite its short life it has already made heads turn in club land, has been featured in the Brasilian edition of Vogue magazine, won rave reviews from Time Out and Vogue.com has branded it London’s answer to Studio 54. Jim Warboy is a DJ/Producer and promoter of “All You Can Eat” and an avant dress-up party entitled “Kash Point”. Leo Belicha is a stylist and art director for brands such as Givenchy, Alexander Herchcovitch, Carlos Mielle, Miss Sixty and MTV.
What inspired you to go on and create Caligula?
We felt that London needed a night that successfully combined music and fashion in a decadent environment. People need to socialize and we wanted to set up the right stage for that to happen. The soundtrack of the night is taken care of by experienced and talented DJs who play from inside a cage. The music policy is a mix of disco, italo, hi-NRG and indie dance. The Bathhouse, space we chose to hold the night at is a Victorian Turkish bath.
Did the space fit the concept you had in mind?
The Bathhouse is far enough from the busy Shoreditch streets and as a result we get the crowd we want. The space also holds a six in the morning license, something very rare for the East End. The décor adds perfectly to our concept,
having kept some of its original features such as the decorated floors.
Who are your punters?
Caligula brings to mind a time when people were dynamic while living life to the maximum; this is exactly what brings our punters together. It’s a mix of stylish types, Shoreditch gays, indie personas and wild party animals.
How would you describe Caligula in terms of feeling, colour , smell and taste ?
Caligula is velvety, cherry red, with the scent of cool sweat that leaves a sweet sourness on the tip of your tongue.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep on throwing the best Friday night party in the city and to have the possibility of holding it in different cities.
