UK Town Embraces Morning Raves as a Sober Alternative to Nightclubs

In a trend already popular in cities like Berlin and New York, the seaside town of Felixstowe has introduced 'Coffee and Clubbing' events, providing an alternative to traditional late-night parties. These morning events, held at 9:00 AM, allow participants to enjoy dancing without the usual late hours and hangovers.

Event founder Vanessa Fullerton-Batten conceived the idea to offer people the chance to experience the vibrant energy of 1990s dancefloors during the day. "If you have kids too, you don't want to have a late night and be hungover the next day, so to avoid all of that you can go out early," Fullerton-Batten explained.

Fullerton-Batten and her husband, Ben Kay, who DJs at the events, relocated to Felixstowe earlier this year and sought to foster community connection. The local coffee shop, Cuppa, has hosted two such events, attracting people of all ages for a morning dance and coffee.

"I think there's just this sense of wanting to be connected again," Fullerton-Batten said. "You can go to the gym, but I think going to something like that you can just come along, you can chat, you can listen to the music - and, of course, you can just dance. It only lasts for an hour, so it's a really good atmosphere and just great vibes."

Attendees are often described as Gen X-ers in their 40s and 50s. "You don't have to be a seasoned clubber or a raver to enjoy this sort of thing," Fullerton-Batten emphasized.

Kay, who has over 30 years of DJing and music production experience, noted the unique advantages of playing during the day. "You can see people, so you can see them smiling and dancing," he said. "It doesn't feel that different to playing in a club, it's just lighter. It feels more innocent."

Susannah Hinchey, who owns a local fitness company, highlighted the physical benefits of dancing at any time. She organizes silent disco walks and "clubbercise" classes, emphasizing the mood-boosting effects of moving to music. "My [indoor] class is done in the dark, which obviously mimics the nightclub vibe, so you get all the happy hormones... without the hangover or sore feet."

The Coffee and Clubbing events are pop-ups, with plans to host them in various venues like bakeries, restaurants, and bars. Fullerton-Batten aims for monthly events and is considering afternoon sessions as well. "We want this to become more regular, ideally once a month," she stated, adding that the goal is to create a welcoming space for all ages, as age should not be a barrier to enjoying music and dancing.