We partied all weekend to find out what London clubbers think of the Night Tube

On Saturday, we hit the Night Tube again, riding it from Tottenham Court Road to Liverpool Street at 1 a.m. It’s only day two, but people are acting like it’s always been here: no more contraband beer, no more easy chats with randos. In the queue for Village Underground, we get talking to two students, Morgan, 19 and Yani, 18. Yani, like everyone we talk to, sees the Night Tube as a force for positive change for London, but has one reservation. “It’s come at an inconsiderate time, what with fabric being closed. fabric is such a huge participator in this,” he says, referring to London’s night-time landscape. Even so, he remains upbeat, “The more transport there is, the more young people can go out and events can be promoted.” But what about on a personal level, do you feel safer riding the Night Tube than a night bus? Morgan is unconvinced. “…ish.” Throughout the night, fabric is a name that comes up almost as frequently as Uber. “Unfortunately, the landscape of clubbing in London is dying,” reflects domain name manager Prudence. “The Night Tube is kind of ironic because there’s going to be no clubs to go to. The Crossrail closing down places like The End, Turnmills… Obviously it will add a new layer, and fingers crossed it will do something to keep fabric open, but when we lose fabric that’s another big tumble.”

Hours later we stagger out of the club, our bodies tenderised by the set of blistering, tunnelistic techno laid on by Donato Dozzy and Peter Van Hoesen, but our hearts feeling a little heavy. As people eagerly pocket the reduced-entry wrist bands for Jaded, you’re left wondering how the next chapter of London raving will play out; the feeling among clubbers is this is more than just a convenient way to get around in our city – it’s a life-line for London itself. Or, in the words of one wide-eyed, rubber limbed raver storming off into the East London night: “Yeah, Night Tube!”

Louise Brailey is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to Mixmag. Follow her on Twitter

Ally Byers is Mixmag's Clubs Editor. Follow him on Twitter