After five long years, Leon Lenik finally opened Area in central Watford. From the shopping centre exterior you can see the DJ booth from the entrance which is unique. He said, "A decade ago, Area was THE club in New York which changed its interior every three months. With my background in film sets, I wanted to take it to the extreme and create a club where the interior walls can alter weekly and the unique lighting system can alter mood from record to record if needs be!" And he's not kidding. Each bulb has 3200 colours following the principle of colour psychology. Pure theatre. Jeremy Healy, Director of Music and Saturday resident, is the man behind the abstract artwork enveloping the venue - this week entitled Experience. Each week, Healy will tell a different story. Thankfully, innovation to the extreme.
But that's not all. The main room has the first ever surround sound system installed in a club in the world. Oh, and the biggest bass bin ever made measuring 30 feet long by 15 feet deep, beneath the DJ booth. 64k in all. Literally, mind-blowing. It also boasts a mixing desk at studio state where DJs can remix and sample on the four decks. Quality. The main bar with its black marble floors and pool tables pans out before you. Nicky Holloway also has a residency on Wednesday nights.
Next door is the Dedicated Dancefloor; a hedonists' paradise box room which will focus on breaks and beats. Massively enlarged newspaper pictures adorn the walls and cold air billows from the flying saucer air-vents, no clutter and no bar.
On the other side is another bar with American diner-style booths, walnut tables and separate sound system. The idea behind the five areas is that whoever you are, there will be an area for you. With no separatist VIP area, this is a club where everyone is a VIP and catered for passionately. With a capacity of 1600, Area will have people booting up the M1 from London in droves - and it's no wonder.
Leon went on to say, "Being out of London means that I can spend money on detail rather than London rates and rent. In March, a Moroccan themed restaurant called Baraka [meaning divine, heavenly blessing] will open upstairs providing another area for 500." Believe me it's £4million well spent. Waterfall toilets with granite troughs and automatic taps in the toilets, powerful air-conditioning, split-levels, courteous staff… the list goes on.
Area can't fail to impress.