In the face of the club’s closure, students are discovering that endings, however unexpected, can spark new beginnings
Under the railway arches of the Elephant & Castle Station lies South London’s Corsica Studios, a hub for artistic individuals that crave a sanctuary for their restlessness and a space to dance it all away.
Now, with its sudden closure, a rare kind of cultural space is gone. For thousands of students who’ve passed through its sweat-soaked rooms, it feels like they are losing a part of the London experience.
When the announcement from Corsica dropped on October 1, 2025, there was an uproar within the social media communities that had created a home for themselves there, especially within the student community, which was pretty prevalent in the space thanks to Corsica’s affordable freshers’ nights.
The recent decline of nightclubs in the UK has been stark, with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) reporting that a third of nightclubs have closed since 2020.
However, Corsica was more than a nightclub for students. It was a place to let loose and enjoy long nights as untamed youth, taking on personas of anyone and anything. With their safe space soon to shut down, students feel uneasy about what happens next.
Daniela, a student at the nearby London College of Communication, expressed her frustration and worries about the future of London’s nightlife. “Corsica is one of the places in London that I know that’s open till late,” she told me. “I’ve been there many a time at seven in the morning.”
It seems as though the late closing times of events are one of Corsica’s main attractions. “With the closure of Corsica, we are going to get driven back out to the fields,” Daniela added. “Free parties will always live on, but not everyone wants to travel to the middle of nowhere for a good boogie.”
Her comparison of events and free parties is a sentiment that many others share, that the freedom of raves is well replicated within the environment of clubs like Corsica.
“These places foster community; we are all so isolated as people, but places like Corsica allow for connections outside of uni or work.” Corsica has always been a hub for the creative community; besides designated club nights, they also host intimate or exhilarating gigs, creating an environment for everyone.
“We are going to no longer have places that have a rich history like the Hacienda in Manchester. It’s not going to be the same.”
Daniela
On the other hand, Amelia, a third-year fashion design student at London College of Fashion, had another point of view. “I’m not too worried about what nights out will look like after Corsica closes.”
Amelia told me that Corsica wasn’t too special for her, “I could already see it kind of dying down before the announcement.” She mentioned that this was due to the dynamic within the space, which wasn’t as social as other venues.
“It will be sad to see Corsica go, but there are other venues like Metropolis and Venue MOT which are just as fun and perhaps better.”
With the impending closure of Corsica in March 2026, it is very obvious that its absence will leave a gap in the student nightlife scene. Whether you prefer other venues or not, it has been a cornerstone within the scene.
However, there is talk of moving venues and a regeneration project for the revival of Corsica. Despite there being no set date, it shows that all is not lost.
The imminent closure of the studio has prompted a cultural shift within the scene and potentially a return to an influx of house parties or small bar events.
For now, Corsica is still up and running and busier than ever, with upcoming nights like Insomnia every Thursday, which is a must-attend for all students.
All images by Muna Farah.