Until we get the four-day working week we all so desperately crave, parties are usually a weekend luxury – but on Thursday last week, Dazed readers were treated to a mid-week pick-me-up at our east London pre-drinks with Coca-Cola Energy.
Those who were lucky enough to score guest list flooded into Hoxton’s Jaguar Shoes, which was illuminated in Coca-Cola’s trademark red. From 6-9PM, partygoers were re-energised, curing their after-work slump with room-shaking electronic music.
As a queue formed outside, bar staff in Dazed x Coca-Cola Energy t-shirts served the first guests – including with the brand’s new high caffeine drink, that contains Guarana and B Vitamins.
Split across two levels, the venue transformed into two different worlds: upstairs, revellers were sipping drinks, singing along to 90s garage, and fighting over pizza, while down the spiraling stairs, sweat soaked through the exposed brick walls as all inclusive party starters Prestige Pak took to the decks. Drenched in a red glow, the trio played to a room that radiated heat as partygoers bounced off one another.
Next up was British producer and DJ Ross From Friends, whose set was lit up by iPhone screens frantically trying to capture the uniquely intimate gig. Accompanied by his bandmates, the trio’s house rhythms were met with gleeful cheers and riotous dancing. The crowd’s energy didn’t diminish as they welcomed Saint Ludo of women-and-queer-led record label Femme Culture to close the night with a funky house set.
As the music came to an end, partygoers slowly filtered out onto Kingsland Road, circles of friends posing for photos and debating where to go next.
Take a look at the gallery above to see what went down at Dazed’s party with Coca-Cola Energy.