A Bristol nightclub has been listed among the best in the world, despite news it’s set to close next year. One of just seven clubs in the country to make it into the list, Bristol’s Motion ranked number 29 in the 2024 edition of the ‘World’s 100 Best Nightclubs’.
As reported in Time Out, The International Nightlife Association (INA) – the world’s ‘first non-profit organisation founded specifically to represent entities involved in the nightlife sector’ – released its Top 100 list last week. Out of the seven UK venues featured in the list, Motion ranked the third highest, after Fabric in London, and Ministry of Sound (in 26th and 28th place, respectively).
And it beat the likes of Warehouse Project in Manchester (39th), London’s Studio 338 (48th), Drumsheds in London (80th), and finally Glasgow’s Sub Club (95th). Many of these names, including Bristol’s Motion, were also previously listed among the best in the world in DJ Magazine, too.
This latest ranking comes following the news that Motion and its neighbouring Marble Factory venue is set to close for good next year. Back in November, BristolLive reported that the popular live music venue on the Feeder Road, detailed the challenges it was facing as the property was reported to be ‘up for sale’.
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In a statement on November 11, bosses of the venue cited mounting challenges such as economic pressures, changing regulations and social factors that have impacted the business in recent years. In a post to Facebook, they wrote: “We now find ourselves in a challenging position as the property is up for sale. While we are devoted to preserving this cherished space, the owners have expressed their intention to sell to local developers, seeking higher returns.”
They added: “As we navigate this difficult chapter, we earnestly appeal to the community to stand with us. Your voices resonate powerfully; they hold the potential to advocate for a future in which Motion continues to thrive and enrich Bristol’s cultural landscape. Together, we can remind decision-makers of the value of a place steeped in history, love, and community spirit.”
Following these reports, the owners of the site released a statement defending their decision to sell, and responding to claims by the club that it was prevented from buying the building. The owners, who did not identify themselves but said they are ‘neither a property developer nor a serial landlord’, added to their initial statement, and have set up a website to expand on their position.
The site owners said they have been talking to the owners of the nightclub, Motion Events Ltd, about the future of the site for the past five years, and the club have been ‘given the opportunity’ to put an offer in for the site, but have ‘not provided a funding plan to support its viability’. The owners said they were putting out a statement as landlords ‘following press coverage’ of the announcement from Motion nightclub that it would have to close the site in July next year. Motion said that their lease was ending in July 2025 and was not going to be renewed because the owners of the site was putting it up for sale, and had ‘refused’ to sell it to them.