The Blind Tiger Club at the Old Music Library, Brighton

Wow! What a night! With some costume headaches and worries throughout the week everyone turned up at Riki Tiks looking the part. Kerry's side-parting, facial twirl and Louise Brooks look won me over (and a few others). Julian and Sukey were a pair of dapper gangster bosses, Clare transformed herself into a living Bonnie Parker, Charlotte looked amazing in her Flapper outfit whilst I went for a more blue collar look, a black-shirted fascist Andy Capp. Go-Bang DJs were playing the house sounds in the bar and sat just behind the decks was my boss which was interesting...

A couple of drinks later and we went down to the venue, the Old Music Library opposite the Brighton Dome, which from the front window looked like an old funeral parlour complete with coffin and flowers. We were a little bit miffed at having to queue even though we had tickets but once in we were impressed by building's atmosphere and décor. The ground floor had a few clothes rails for the cloakroom (which later fell over from the massive weight), a bar at the back, some remains of the art installation (see Robots are coming blog entry), a few chairs and access to the basement, outside court and upstairs. Drinks were limited to a number of premium brands including one of my favourite vodkas, Bison Grass.

Downstairs was a sweaty experience of an underground club feel with the band and DJs behind a pavilion styled area. Behind the dance floor was a shots bar, again with some remains of the graffiti art illuminated. The top level was another bar with a giant rat and face graffiti above it, a recessed area for the band, a dozen or so tables with chairs and a large screen looping what looked like an early erotic film about some ladies rowing on a lake with crotch shots. The event had promised blackjack tables, magicians and hostess waitresses but we only saw one gambling area. The outside area was principally for smoking and access to the toilets. Just four portaloos for a 400 capacity which didn't go down too well. Luckily we were a short walk away from Riki Tiks and Paul and Sarah's house.

Musical highlight for us was The Correspondents down in the basement. It felt like discovering a new music scene with the MC bebopping and rapping over swing and jazz like tunes such as the Jungle Book's King of the Swingers. With the whole crowd dressed to impress and pulling shapes, you just couldn't tear yourself away from it even though we were dripping in sweat. Dancing to the music was a mixture of two-step drum'n'bass, Chalrleston and anything you could remember from old films. Although as soon as tried to match the fast pace you had to switch back, sometimes ungracefully into a more relaxed, every other beat step. By the end of the night the whole experience was one of the best nights in years I'd say.

I've uploaded all the decent photos of the night onto Flickr and have some video footage on YouTube in case you're interested.