Denis Ciobanu

21st September 1991 - a date firmly fixed in music history. Ministry of Sound, inspired by New York’s cavernous House venues, opened it's doors at 10:00 PM. Raised from what was once a bustling bus garage now derelict in the heart of ‘saff’ London, an area more infamous than famous. No alcohol, 3 flashing lights, moody security and, as a statement against it’s glitzy ‘80s predecessors, shiny trousers and disco shoes frowned upon. Unless you knew the names of at least half-a-dozen Chicago DJ’s you were never going to get past the legendary ‘pickers’ residing the right side of the menacing prison-like gates.

Despite the lack of lager and fearsome location people arrived in droves. Within a matter of weeks word had spread that something special had landed smack in the middle of London’s nightlife. This was the first club dedicated to House music, the first club inspired by rave’s ‘summer of love’ and most importantly the world’s first ever club with a dedicated room built purely for sound.

To this day, sound is what epitomises Ministry of Sound and all we stand for. As we spread the dance music gospel around the world you can experience the essence of what we do but there’s nothing quite like standing in the middle of the club’s main room (The Box). Towering speaker stacks, several mega-zillion watts of bass, triple thick sound absorbing walls and even humidity sensors in the ceiling adjusting EQ levels as the temperature rises. Play here as a DJ and this is Madison Square Garden. Dance here and this is the Nou Camp – put simply, there is no better place on Earth to hear and feel the world’s greatest DJ’s play the world’s best music.

Fast-forward to today. The importance of super hi-fi sound has not diminished and neither has the passion for dance music in all its forms. But as pioneers of dance, whether it’s the music or culture variety, we’re keener than ever to preach our dance music mantra across the planet.

In 1991 you had to be here to experience the euphoria – today, whether you’re listening, watching, wearing, downloading or browsing anything Ministry of Sound one thing remains true – the best music and the best sound bar none.