What and Where is the Splash Club?

The Water Rats, 328 Gray's Inn Road, King's Cross, London WC1X 8BZ
(0171) 278 3879

The Splash Club is based at the Water Rats Public House, 328 Gray's Inn Road, King's Cross, London, England. It is open nearly every night from 8pm until midnight and hosts the best live music you're ever likely to hear.

Entry cost is Ł5, or Ł3.50 with a flyer or concessions.

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The History

The Splash Club first opened its doors on 3rd September 1992 with then rising stars SENSER. Since then Splash has put on bands such as OASIS, SUPERGRASS, ECHOBELLY, S*M*A*S*H, SLEEPER, THESE ANIMAL MEN, BECK, THERAPY?, SKUNK ANANSIE, SPONGE, COLLECTIVE SOUL, THE GOD MACHINE, CHINA DRUM, RUB ULTRA, THE BLUETONES, THE ALMIGHTY, ULTRAMARINE, PAUL WELLER, OCEAN COLOUR SCENE, JAMES HALL, HONEY CRACK, WHIPPING BOY, KULA SHAKER, GOYA DRESS, GENE, MARION, BLUR, DODGY, MARCELLA DETROIT, AIMEE MANN, etc, etc.............

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How to get there

By rail & tube.
Go to King's Cross station and walk down the main road in front of you and to the left. The club is approximately 400 metres down the road on the left hand side, next door to the Ear, Nose & Throat hospital.
By car.
Look at an AtoZ map. The club is where Swinton Street meets Gray's Inn Rd.
By bus.
No idea but try No73 & No10, they get close.
By taxi.
If the cabby doesn't know the club punch him and tell to get with it.
By bike.
Get real.

Useless facts

The Water Rats is also the head quarters for the Grand Order of Water Rats(G.O.W.R.). A charitable organisation of male entertainers who meet bi-weekly (which is why the club isn't always open) to discuss ways of raising money for extremely good causes. They elect a King Rat each year and presently the title is held by the acclaimed magician Paul Daniels who can often be spotted at the club making women disappear!
The father of communism Karl Marx apparently lived above the club for a short period and often met Engels at there to discuss ways of overthrowing the bourgeoisie. Marx was a bit of a sucker for red wine, but did enjoy a good stout in the winter.
As Merlin's cave is just up the road it is well documented that King Arthur himself often popped in for a quick bevvy before checking out the latest magic spells. We have searched high a low, but found no large round table or sword; however, the small round tables in the club might actually come from Arthur's big one.
There is a secret room at the top of the building that houses treasures belonging to the G.O.W.R. These include Charlie Chaplin's walking stick, Stan Laurel's bowler hat, Ken Dodds teeth and a large gold rat. The cockney Irish drinking band The Pogues had a residency at the club in the early '80's, but now drink and play round the corner as they wouldn't fill the Splash Club.
Bob Dylan played one of his first British shows there in the early '60's, apparently he went on a bit.
The G.O.W.R. persuaded Eric Clapton to turn up and whack out a few tunes a couple of years ago. The audience were all over 50 years old, but then so were the performers.
In the '70's the venue hosted the Rat Club that promoted a lot of the punk bands of the time, they went out of business when people started wearing make-up and leg warmers.
Martin the bar man has been there since Karl Marx was a drinker.

home fish!!!

What and Where is the Splash Club?

The Water Rats, 328 Gray's Inn Road, King's Cross, London WC1X 8BZ (0171) 278 3879

The History

How to get there

Useless facts

The Water Rats, 328 Gray's Inn Road, King's Cross, London WC1X 8BZ
(0171) 278 3879