Corsica Studios, one of the best clubs in London, will close next year

It’s sad news for the clubbers of London. The legendary Corsica Studios, which has been operating in Elephant and Castle for 23 years, will close in 2026. 

However, it’s not all bad, because the venue plans to re-open in the future with a new, refurbished space. 

Founded in 2002, the 500-capacity no-frills sweatbox has long been a stalwart of London’s underground music scene. Over the years it has hosted many legends behind the decks, from Helena Hauff, Nina Kraviz and Bicep, to Daniel Avery, Four Tet and even Björk. 

In a statement shared with Time Out, the club confirmed it will close at the end of March 2026, with the aim of reopening at a later date with a refurbished, sound-proofed venue. It will also have a ‘solid, long-term lease and a range of legal measures that will give the venue protection from any potential noise complaints from surrounding neighbours’. 

The nightclub denied rumours that it was closing due to noise complaints from neighbours in new developments nearby. 

‘As Southwark Council will attest, we are a well-run, considerate venue operator and we are not on the receiving end of any noise complaints from local residents. We are also not being forced out by the developers or the council – we are in fact engaged in constructive dialogue with both parties about any potential future,’ the statement said. 

It added: ‘It's no secret that operating a late-night venue such as ours has become increasingly difficult – especially in the midst of a huge new development – but for the last few years we’ve been working closely with Southwark Council, the Greater London Authority and the Music Venue Trust, as well as our team of consultants and the developers themselves, to try and secure a future for Corsica in the area. The challenge has been to see whether Corsica Studios could continue to operate in the same way and in the same spirit. 

Corsica Studios acknowledged that some people may not be happy about the closure of the old venue, but that it was ‘the right thing to do’. 

‘Without evolving, the venue faces an almost impossible task but we are now in a position where we can future-proof the premises to allow a music and arts focused cultural space to co-exist with our neighbours and remain in the Elephant & Castle. We have pursued this outcome to preserve a principle, and for you – our community – to ensure we leave a legacy. Given what we've been facing, for us, this is a significant achievement,’ the statement said. 

As a final send-off, Corsica will run a series of events from December 31 2025 until March 29 2026 celebrating its past two and a half decades. 

The team behind Corsica Studios also runs Peckham’s The Carpet Shop, another of London’s best clubs for electronic music.

For more top nights out in the city, read Time Out’s list of the best clubs in London here. 

Legendary London nightclub The End is returning for one weekend this autumn – lineup revealed.