Essex town once a nightlife hotspot is now completely dead

Since the closure of Slug and Lettuce and O’Neills, and the revocation of Bloc 40’s licence in Brentwood, locals have been complaining about the lack of nightlife on the high street – which, especially before COVID-19, had a bustling nightlife scene, with every pub and bar packed – but is now completely dead.

Brentwood has plenty of pubs, but some argue that this doesn’t cater to party-goers looking for a lively night out with a dance floor! Those seeking a club vibe now have to travel further to London or Essex to get the night they want.

Essex boys Riley Dormer and Joe Day have decided to make a change to the lack of a good night out in Brentwood by organising their own events as part of their company Living in Ecstasy. The aim is to promote up-and-coming DJs in a rave atmosphere where guests can dance, listen to great house music and hang out with friends – with a few drinks in hand, of course!

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“Living in Rumours” is happening at Rumours, Brentwood, located near the Brentwood train station. The founders promise to give their attendees a high-class rave experience and a brilliant night full of house favorites and non-stop grooves.

The couple wants to improve Brentwood’s nightlife, which some say is in decline, so they took matters into their own hands and created a “night to remember.”

Riley said: “Over the past year, Joe and I have been to a lot of different events, having lived and hung out in Brentwood a lot, and it’s clear there’s a lack of consistently good nights out. We know we can change that.”

Riley’s aim for the event is to ensure everyone has a brilliant time and is desperately looking forward to the next one. He said: “I want to give our guests a night that leaves a mark – I want them to count down the days until they can see our DJs back on the decks.”

He also wants to help up-and-coming DJs gain experience and some publicity, in a great venue packed with people enjoying their mixes. Riley said: “Joe and I were motivated to invest in our own event and, along with a good circle of friends who could be DJs, who had nothing to show for it, we knew we had to do it!”

The pair held their first event in Shoreditch in April, which was “amazing”. Riley added: “The main feedback we got from everyone was how brilliant the energy was in the room throughout the event.

“We now have Rumours planned for July 27th, and we’re expecting a massive turnout, bringing back most of our original DJs as well as some new faces. It’s amazing to know that as we grow and improve, our DJs are making a name for themselves.”

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