It's a windswept Friday night in East London, and already a healthy crowd has formed outside retro haven Bethnal Greens Working Men’s club. A simple banner reads “Jailhouse Jam tonight” and if it was not for this discreet reminder of where you are, this club is easily missed.

What started as a workers’ club in 1953, has now, in keeping with its vintage charm, been transformed to an alternative club night, which involves anything from roller-skating tea-girls, to naked clowns. The worn-out chairs and broken lampshades add to the overall vibe of the club, and you cannot help but feel that you are experiencing the London that once was.

Warren Dent, club promoter told Offbeat that: “Part of the clubs charm is that it’s not on situated on a high-street, which means we get quite a select crowd. We always have some sort of theme happening,” he said.

Mug shot

Tonight is Jailhouse Jam hosted by club promoters Oh My God! I miss you. Bail is set at five pounds, and inside you are transported to life as a prisoner. A prisoner, that has access to a bar and good 50s rock n roll that is. Upon entry, punters have a choice of four jailhouse style tattoos, while to the right-hand side drinks are being served behind a mock jail style bar.

Sliding your ten-pound note between the bars, you are forced to pay credit to the very effort that goes into producing these events. A wooden, electric chair, complete with leg and arm straps attracts snap-happy guests. Many are clambering into the seat to compose their best, frazzled faces.

A mug shot board proves to be the most popular attraction, as those that have dressed up in neon-orange jumpsuits, rush for a photo opportunity not to be missed. If police academy were to have a staff party, this would be it.

The great escape

Guests dance to a blend of 50s style rock and roll, with tracks such as Judas Priest 'Breaking the law' and Elvis Presley’s classic 'Jailhouse rock'. Half the crowd are in fancy dress and some go all out. It seems there are two separate jailhouse dress codes here tonight, the sultry, bra-revealing red-lipped prisoner and the monochrome stripped males.

Phil, the cloakroom attendant has clearly made the effort. Wearing a blonde afro wig, skin-tight leggings and power-blue eye shadow, he laughs:
“Do you like my fur? Well, actually it’s a carpet.”

Later on in the night, a six-foot six prison warden takes to the stage, fitted as a mock jail cell. What follows is a hilarious, comedic display of a “great escape style” break-out sketch by six grim looking detainees. The Working Men’s club holds a vast array of clubnights, seeing anything from bingo, games and burlesque themed events.

With such a strong emphasis on the alternative aspects of nightlife, and not a whiff of pretentiousness from this crowd, The Bethnal Green's Working Men’s club is fast becoming a haven for the “Offbeat” sides of life.

Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green Underground

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Jailhouse Jam