How Perfect

There are some clubs in Oxford that split opinion. A good example is The Bridge, which, while having a great many ardent fans, has just as many detractors.

Some make it a regular night out while others have only ever been once and swear never to return.

Another is the Purple Turtle; some of us essentially live there, while some have been just once, asked ‘what the hell is that smell?’ and never returned.

Now this naturally creates a divide in the Oxford club-going populace, causing some of Oxford’s most notorious night owls never to meet, never to share in one another’s penchant for excess and revelry.

If, however, members from either side are grouped together for an occasion – usually a birthday – and must decide on a mutually acceptable venue all is not lost. There is a compromise to be found that doesn’t compromise on quality.

This is what makes Thirst such an excellent and impressive club.

I literally can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like it, let alone anyone who would oppose going there once the option has been suggested.

It’s a place where everyone can be happy and be sure they’re going to have a great time.

This is not an easy thing to achieve, yet Thirst has managed it by excelling in almost every way.

First off they recognise the need to have a varied and eclectic music policy.

On the night I went, it was a medley of commercially viable house with a smattering of cheese, but throughout the week Thirst DJs run through everything from electro to rock to hip hop to reggae without alienating anyone, keeping the sets accessible enough to entertain while never coming across as stale or dull.

Next are the prices, which are genuinely excellent.

Thirst provides for cocktail fans of all varieties, giving its patrons the option to spend the money on a pricy cocktail should they wish to, but also offering a fantastic list of cheaper options for £3.25, plugging into my pleasure centre by including a Long Island Iced Tea at this entry level price.

Combine this with the fact that this the best Long Island in the city and you have a good thing going.

Finally there’s the superb garden; large, heated and sporting its own DJs, offering different music to the club inside.

You can also share a shisa with friends in a variety of flavours if you feel so inclined.

Where most places make almost no provision for smokers, the Thirst garden is a tour de force in comfort and luxury for those of us who refuse to give up polluting our bodies. The only thing I can really say is wrong with Thirst is that there’s no draught beer, but this is a minor annoyance.

Make no mistake, you can’t really go wrong here...