We spoke with a number of adult stars who work in the adult film industry to ask the questions we were just burning to ask. One of those questions was whether bottoms earn more than tops in scenes
So, imagine if you will, you’re a bottom in a scene, you’ve got a lot more prep to do to make sure you’re ready for the scene and make extra special preparations so you don’t have an awkward accident mid-scene. We’ve been told that you have to be careful with your diet as well as keeping a healthy lifestyle. Mexican food is apparently the worst!
You’ve also got to be able to take a pounding for hours. One star told us that filming a scene could take up to five hours. Ouch.
So we put the question to those who identified as bottoms or versatile in the industry and asked whether they get paid more than their partners. Sebastian Evan who has worked for Blakemason and Brit Hard Lads, told us, “I always bottom and I ONLY bottom. And no, we do not get paid more”. Michael Lachlan agreed and added, “I don’t see why they would. The top has to put in a lot of effort and a lot of cardio into a sex scene it is actually very tiring”.
Edwin Skyes added that it was pretty much a “myth” in the industry that a bottom would get paid for a scene.
Jonny Kingdom, who has starred in films for Blakemason and GuysInSweatPants.com elaborated on the payment for scenes, he said, “Most of us are self- employed and model fees are different for everyone”. However unlike the other stars, he also revealed that he does get paid more for being a bottom.
So whilst most performers don’t get paid more for the role they take in the scene, it’s not unheard of that a star could get paid more for being a bottom.
Logging the gay bars closed and other LGBT+ venues that have closed in London and across the UK
We’ve created this archive to remember and pay tribute to the gay bars and LGBT+ spaces that have closed. There’s no denying that the scene went through a heydey back in the 80s and 90s but as technology and other factors have slowly become essential in connecting the LGBT+ community, since the 00’s, many bars have fallen by the wayside.
At one time the LGBT bar was one of our only safe spaces. It was where many of us could feel at home, be ourselves and with people who understood our journey. They were and still continue to be a hugely important part of our community.
We’re looking for your contributions to make this an essential archive of the LGBT scene in the UK. If you have memories, photos or even stories of some of the venues listed please click on it and add your content in the comment section. We will then add these to the main article.
Although this list currently only has London gay bars closed listed at the moment, we’re keen to expand to include the rest of the UK. Please use the comment section below to draw our attention to closed bars in your area.
Crown and Anchor: a gay and mixed pub in Bromley North. Closed in 2006 and reopened as a non-gay bar and told customers who were looking for a gay bar to go to Stonewall bar in Lewisham – also now closed.
The Halfway House: described as east London’s friendly gay bar in Bethnal Green.
Harpoon Louis: The bar upstairs, Harpoon Louie’s (later Harpo’s and later still Banana Max), was until the late 1980s among the most popular gay bars in London. It is now a Wagamama restaurant. Above the Copa in Earls Court Road, it was the largest gay bar in London, on 3 levels with an extensive garden. Opened in 1983 and closed in 1997 (thanks to John for the info)
The Hoist: cruise and sex venue for guys in Vauxhall. Closed in January 2017 after 21 years in business
Leinster, The: The pub opened in 1998 and closed in 2005 on two floors, a traditional gay pub for the “Chelsea crowd” The pub which was on the corner of Ossington St has since been demolished. (Thanks to John for the info)
Limelight, On Charing Cross Road, near the Palace Theatre. Was a Sunday night evening event.
The Little Apple: traditional gay pub closed in 2014. 1993 – 2014
Lo-Profile: a gay bar started by the dating site, Gaydar, closed in 2013.
Molly Moggs: a friendly and brash central London pub, famous for its larger than life drag queens, karaoke and friendly staff. One of the oldest LGBT pubs in the UK. Molly Moggs has now reopened. Update 2019 It is now closed and reopened as another bar, which isn’t LGBT.
Rush Bar: a lesbian bar which closed in the mid-2000s.
Salisbury: St Martins Lane, WC1 (yes it is still there, but now straight). This was pub frequented by actors and gay men in the 1950/60s becoming completely gay in the 1970s. It ceased trading as a gay pub in 1985 with the opening of a new gay bar across the road (Brief Encounter). It was featured in the film “Victim” with leading gay actor Dirk Bogarde. The film made in 1961 told the story of the culture of blackmail in the gay community. The film set in motion the legalisation of homosexuality in 1967. (thanks to John for the info)
Ghetto: Cult Soho dance club with a mixed clientele of club freaks, artists and international A-listers. Legendary nights included NagNagNag, Misshapes and The Cock (thanks to LWellsted). 2001 – 2008
One response to “Gay Bars Closed: The Lost LGBT Scene Project”
seshort
The Bell in Kings Cross, next to what was the Thameslink station. It’s now the Big Chill, I think. Was the place to be in the mid-80s. Everyone looked like they were in Bronski Beat – some of them were.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Turnmills
Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
The Tube
Late night club and cruise bar on Saturdays was called Wigout. Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Trash Palace
In Soho, set over three floors down the road from Ku Bar. Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Trade
Techno club night at Turnmills. 4 AM till 1 PM in Farringdon. Last night was held in October 2015. Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
The Lounge
Described as a “gentleman’s” club with bar and restaurant. Can you add more description or pictures? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Subway
Can you add more description or pictures? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Substation Sound Shaft
On Hungerford Lane – cruisy late night club/bar – Thursday nights were called Twisted and Fridays were called SPUNK. Can you add more description or pictures? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
Substation South
Late night club, with different themes each night of the week in Brixton. Can you add more description or pictures? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.
We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.
It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.
One response to “Gay Bars Closed: The Lost LGBT Scene Project”
The Bell in Kings Cross, next to what was the Thameslink station. It’s now the Big Chill, I think. Was the place to be in the mid-80s. Everyone looked like they were in Bronski Beat – some of them were.