SO, AFTER rockin’ out last week at Mutiny, we’ve proved there is life outside your four walls – even at this gloomy time of the year around Oxford University’s 0th Week.

And, with those nice people behind Eclectric kicking off their first party of 2009 last Wednesday, there’s really been no excuse to stay in over the past seven days.

Established back in 2005 as a place to enjoy the finer elements of dance music in a pleasant atmosphere with like-minded people, Eclectric – at King Edward Street’s bastion of kitschy erotica, Baby Love – has become the coolest hangout for those discerning clubbers bitten by the electro bug.

Don’t be downhearted if it’s quiet early on.

Hang on in there, because when last orders are being called elsewhere across the city, Eclectric really heats up.

And it’s not unusual to see the queue backing up towards High Street around the midnight hour – with dozens desperate to join the best underground mid-week party in town.

Once inside this palace of high-gloss, it seems the trick is to grab yourself one of the bar’s celebrated cocktails (mine’s a Long Island Iced Tea, please!) and relax in one of the snug booths by the door – this is in prime position to catch the eye of one of the next pretty things to arrive.

Then, once suitably lubricated, head downstairs to the dimly-lit dancefloor where you can loose yourself amongst a throng of pulsating bodies, blips and beats sound tracked by a hypnotic blend of dark techno, acid, deep house and other naughty treats until 3am.

With the cream of local techno talent on the decks, from resident DJs Ed Steele, Kostas G and TJ Hertz to guest slots from the likes of Foals’ Edwin Congreave, Eclectric supplies the most eclectic electronic sounds for your delectation and truly is “the party of choice for Oxford’s brightest young sparks”.