Key Points
- South London landmark Peckham Palais is set to reopen as a multi-room nightlife venue in February 2026.
- The Night Group, owners of Night Tales and Netil360, has acquired and restored the building.
- The venue is located in the former Jones & Higgins department store, which closed in 1980.
- The building was home to Peckham Palais nightclub until it closed in 2011.
- The Night Group has refurbished the 11,000 sq. ft space into a fully functioning venue with a 500-capacity basement club.
- The basement features a Funktion-One five-way soundsystem with precision-tuned acoustics.
- The first floor has been converted into a 250-capacity cocktail bar and events space called The Ballroom.
- The refurbishment included a collaboration with interior design house Fare Inc.
- The project emphasises immersive sound and design to revitalise this historic Victorian building.
What is the history of the Peckham Palais building?
As reported by Mixmag, the Peckham Palais venue is housed within the disused 19th-century Jones & Higgins department store on Peckham High Street. The original department store closed in 1980, with a partial demolition to accommodate the Aylesbury Shopping Centre. The remaining structure became home to the Peckham Palais nightclub, a venue well-loved for its techno and dubstep nights until it closed in 2011.
The building has since been recognised as one of the most endangered Victorian buildings in London, underlining its architectural and cultural significance. Various proposals have surfaced in recent years to revive the space as a nightclub, but none came to fruition until now.
Who owns and is reopening the Peckham Palais venue?
According to a report by Time Out London, The Night Group, which owns East London venues Night Tales and Netil360, has acquired the Peckham Palais building. This group is spearheading the restoration and reopening of the venue under the name Palais, aiming for a launch in February 2026.
The Night Group’s co-founder Jamie Rule emphasises the importance of immersive sound, describing their meticulously developed Funktion-One five-way soundsystem as creating infra bass that is “felt” rather than just heard. This underlines their commitment to making Palais a unique audio experience for clubbers.
How has the new venue been designed and restored?
The Night Group has restored an 11,000 sq. ft space inside the historic building. The venue will feature a 500-capacity club in the basement and a 250-capacity cocktail bar and events space called The Ballroom on the first floor.
Lottie Campbell, another co-founder of The Night Group, spoke to Mixmag about the ambitious design work in collaboration with interior design house Fare Inc. She said,
“We wanted to be bold with this room. It brings fresh energy to a historically significant building. We’ve been ambitious with the design, and I can’t wait for people to experience it.”
What are the specific features of the new club’s sound system?
As detailed by DJ Mag, the basement club’s sound system is based on Funktion-One’s five-way configured speakers, paired with precision sound treatment to optimise audio quality. Jamie Rule stated,
“Palais is about being present. It’s a space to listen, to dance freely, and to connect.”
The sound system has been under development for over a year to achieve a deep, immersive experience with infra bass frequencies that resonate physically with the audience, setting the venue apart from typical clubs.
What do local culture and music outlets say about the reopening?
Mixmag highlights the significance of the venue’s return within Peckham’s vibrant nightlife scene. The reopening of Palais coincides with other cultural revivals such as the IKLECTIK experimental music venue, signalling renewed investment in the area’s music and arts infrastructure.
The project blends heritage preservation with modern nightlife trends, aiming to create a destination that honours Peckham’s musical history while offering a cutting-edge clubbing experience.
What is the wider cultural importance of the Peckham Palais reopening?
The Victorian Society had previously listed the building among the ten most endangered historic buildings in London, drawing attention to its Victorian architectural value. According to their listings, safeguarding and repurposing the building maintains an important cultural asset.
The Night Group’s project breathes new life into the site, integrating historical preservation with contemporary use, which represents a broader urban regeneration model for South London.
