LONDON’S HIDDEN GEMS
Retro Events at the Rivoli Ballroom
Above and below – several views of this amazing ballroom.
Stepping back in time …
F
amed for its original,
vintage decor, the Rivoli
Ballroom is one venue that’s
guaranteed to make an
impression. The venue is one
of the last remaining intact
1950s ballrooms in the
capital, and it comes
complete with retro features
dating back to its heydey. Hire
the Rivoli Ballroom for your
next event and celebrate in a
uniquely atmospheric space.
Both the interior and the exterior
fittings of the space have
remained the same for many
decades, creating an authentic,
art deco look typical of the
1950s and 1960s. The Rivoli
Ballroom is ideal for parties and
drinks receptions as well as
formal dinners, corporate
networking events, product
launches and more.
Designed by Henley Attwater,
the venue is absolutely typical
of the era. It first opened in
July 1913 and stepping inside
is like stepping back in time.
The design of the space
focuses around a simple
barrel-vaulted auditorium, with
a sprung maple dance floor
which promises to keep
dancers’ feet comfortable all
night long.
The venue hasn’t always been
a dance hall, however. When it
first opened it was a cinema,
known as the Crofton Park
Picture Palace. By 1929 it had
become The Rivola Cinema.
The cinema showed its final
film in 1957, before the venue
shut its doors to be
transformed into the dance hall
we know and love today. On
Boxing Day 1959, the Rivoli
opened its doors, inviting locals
in to dance on the Canadian
dance floor that takes pride of
place in the venue to this day.
The Rivoli Ballroom remains a
hugely popular setting for
events, gigs and parties. The
vintage style of the space has
also made it a popular filming
location. The venue has been
used for productions ranging
from BBC’s Strictly Come
Dancing to films like The
Muppets, The Avengers and
Legend, featuring Tom Hardy.
The incredible original features
of the space has also made the
Rivoli Ballroom a firm favourite
amongst fashion brands. High-
end brands like The Kooples
have chosen the space as the
backdrop for film shoots, with
the French fashion company
filming a series of adverts on the
historic dance floor.
The Rivoli Ballroom hasn’t
escaped the notice of the music
industry, either. Some of the
biggest names in the business
have performed on the stage of
the Rivoli Ballroom, with chart-
topping bands from Florence
and the Machine to the White
Stripes choosing the venue as
the setting for both music videos
and gigs. Other bands who have
performed at the Rivoli Ballroom
include Kings of Leon, Damon
Albarn and Noel Gallagher’s
High Flying Birds.
The world-renowned dance floor
of the Rivoli Ballroom was even
chosen by Elton John as the
location for his 1983 video I
Guess That’s Why They Call It
The Blues. You’ll also see the
venue appear in Tina Turner’s
Private Dancer video.
The Rivoli Ballroom comes
complete with everything you
need to create an unforgettable
event. Within the space you’ll
find ladies and gentlemen’s
cloakrooms, a boudoir, two
separate bars and a smaller
adjacent ballroom. There are
also changing rooms and a
green room.
To find out more about events
at the Rivoli Ballroom,
Visit: rivoliballroom.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8692 5130
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THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK