The After Dark is often called “legendary” because it is the longest running nightclub in Reading, opening here in the 1980s. It is a medium-sized club well known as a venue where students and Reading locals mix. It hosts a range of club nights, including the hugely successful 80’s-themed Fools Gold, and being the home of Checkpoint Charlie for 5 years, a nationally renowned cutting edge electronic music night. He can be seen in this episode of the ITV programme BPM:
The After Dark has also played it’s part in charity work, hosting an annual fund-raising night; at previous events they have raised more than £3000 for good causes. Radiohead also reportedly played here in 1994.