The Church is a must-do event at least once for every hearty traveller. So named because it used to actually be held in an abandoned church, it is a Rugby style Aussie beer fest that is wild beyond your imagination.CORRECTION!! The Church has moved to Clapham Junction! You get there via an "Overland" Train (non-Tube commuter rail) from either Waterloo or Victoria Station. The quickest route from the Melia White House Hotel is the Victoria tube from Warren Street Station to Victoria Station. Then Overland trains to Clapham Junction. At the Clapham Junction Station, follow the signs for the "Way Out" and Town Center/St. John's Hill St. The Grand is just across the street and up the hill about 50 yards. You can't miss it, especially with all the crazies milling about. The London Overland trains in these zones accept the Oyster card, so it really makes it easy if you have it. Refer to this Oyster map. See my Oyster Card post.
The Church convenes every Sunday. Doors open at 12 noon and everyone's kicked out by 3:30. You'll pay £7 to get in the door, and £9 for each trio beer bag you buy inside. Well, you actually buy beer tickets and then go to the bar and ask your your favorite trio of beers. Most people tie the beer bag around their belt loop and it acts as a mini cooler on your ass.
An Oyster card is totally cool to have. It doesn't cost you any extra, and if you find yourself in London a lot, it's invaluable.
You can get in free if you are wearing a costume of some sort. All I had was Cluck, and that did not classify as a costume (although I tried...)
Be prepared for some sort of a International Beer drinking competition. If you go with a group of friends, try to make get enough Yanks to make a go of it. In the two times that I've been there, we have not been well represented, if at all. Good luck.
The Emcee will rib the Yanks, but that won't stop the place from rockin' to Bon Jovi at the breaks. Besides, hes an equal opportunity ribber...
For the die-hards, there is indeed an after party party. Ask a regular where it is because I'm not certain that I have the name right. I think its called the Backpacker pub near the Shepherds Bush tube stop. This is near where the original location for The Church was.
Correction (10/31/2010) The main after hours party is at the Aussie Bar called "Walkabout" near the Shepherd's Bush station. Follow the gaggle...
Go and have a great time!
Here are just a few of the photos from my short 3 hour Church excursion this past Sunday...
Kentish Town Road looking south. (away from the Forum)
Mecca.
Aussies I met on the tube. Amazingly, I guessed right that they were going to the Church.
The bar is well organized chaos...
When you're done, just toss 'em...
Cluck gets a lot of action, as you'll see in the next few shots. I swear, none of the shots were orchestrated. Cluck just seems to bring out the animal in everybody!
The Aussie chicks that made a go for it at the beer drinking competition.
Some Louisiana boys (and girl). Notice the stage is full of girls. The Church allows 'em to get on stage for the closing dance songs. Quite a show...
The sea of inebriated humanity spills out onto the streets at 3:30. Please be polite and not piss on the sidewalk or toss yor cans. Besides, there are Church bouncers every 25' to be sure you don't...
