Cross Club, a very eclectic club located in Prague 7, was originally a very exclusive underground club with a “friends only” policy. The club only emerged from the underground scene when in 2004 it finally obtained all its permits and licenses from Prague’s bureaucrats. What makes this club so appealing is the constantly changing design of the interior and the wide variety of entertainment it offers. While it can be argued that if you are a strong supporter of alternative culture Cross Club is your perfect venue. However the variety of entertainment and the unique design also offer something to those who are not so alternatively inclined.
The variety of entertainment the club has to offer is what makes Cross Club such a desirable venue. Not only does the club host bands and DJs from all over the world but they also offer performances from experimental theater, poetry readings, exhibitions, and project Ghettolledge. Ghettolledge I found particularly interesting because this is also known as a street university where professors and recognized experts lecture on various subjects. What makes this club so popular is that it gives the customers choices. Rather than having a certain band or speaker forced upon them as their only option Cross Club offers a variety of choices that meet the wants of a diverse clientele. In order to keep up with Prague’s varying interest in music the club also offers a variety of music styles. These styles include ska, punk, world music, and various forms of techno, rave, and reggae.
Much like Prague’s alternative culture scene the design of Cross Club is always changing and gives it a very lively feel. It is this constant change in design that gives the club its distinct atmosphere. While the overall look and design of the club has changed significantly the original design of the club can be seen in the upstairs bar area. Here the lounge area, with foosball room, and cozy seating area still serves as the perfect place for students to relax. However, the club also serves as an exhibition space for a multitude of unique designs and inventions. Most of these designs emit light and give the club its distinctive look. What is just as interesting about these light fixtures is that an electrician who has never taken any art or design courses designed them.
The club’s manager originally asked Frantisek “Fanda” Chmelik to install basic wiring for the club and instead Fanda unleashed his creativity on the space. Chmelik created various contraptions that resemble machinery and lights that he often incorporated into murals or mosaics. It is almost as if the inner workings of his chaotic mind have manifested themselves in the different designs of each room. The bar utilizes the shapes of church-organ pipes for it’s general design. In the next room over the pipes are inverted and become miniature wall-mounted tables, which are also equipped with a single pipe that provides just enough light to illuminate the ashtray. Throughout the club Chmelik reinvents various objects to use as centerpieces or to mount on the walls. Overall the club has a very futuristic and organic feel to it. Because Chemelik has been a part of Cross Club from its inception he has been able to work in an environment of absolute creative freedom. It is also important to note that the area in which Cross Club is located used to be part of Prague’s industrial district, and therefore the mechanical design of the venue compliments the building’s history.
Ultimately Cross Club is a favorite of the Prague nightlife scene because it has shed its veil of exclusivity and caters to locals and tourists alike. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Cross Club and I will definitely take any of my friends who are visiting Prague to Cross Club.
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