THEGAYUK

Category: Scene

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Piano Bar

    Lost LGBT Scene | Piano Bar

    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.

    Piano gay bar in London

    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.

    Piano Bar

    Opened: We’re not sure

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Le Foyer

    Lost LGBT Scene | Le Foyer

    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.

    Le Foyer gay club in London

    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.

    Le Foyer

    A club in Soho

    Opened: Was open in the 70s

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Dorian Club

    Lost LGBT Scene | Dorian Club

    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.

    Dorian Gay Club in London

    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.

    Dorian Club

    Just off the Kings Road Chelsea.

    Opened: Was open in the 70s

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • This Welsh LGBT+ pub has the can-do spirit when it comes to “circuit breaker” lockdown

    This Welsh LGBT+ pub has the can-do spirit when it comes to “circuit breaker” lockdown

    An LGBT+ bar in Wales has said that a two-week lockdown enforced by the Welsh government “isn’t that bad” and has said that it made it through the first one and it will make through the next.

    From the 23rd of October Wales will place all its citizens in a strict lockdown for 17 days in order to reduce the rising cases of coronavirus in the nation.

    The bar’s owners added that they would do their best to keep all its clientele updated and revealed that they have planned a whole two weeks of Facebook Live shows, including a Halloween Special on the 31st October.

    With reported cases of COVID-19 rising across the country, the devolved governments of the UK are permitted to enact whatever policy they see fit to bring the number of Covid-19 cases down.

    Back in March, the whole of the UK was placed in lockdown, about the only time that the UK, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh government have had a coherent approach to dealing with the pandemic.

    The economic fallout of lockdown has seen thousands of businesses close across the UK, with hundreds of thousands of job losses. There have also been some casualties when it comes to the LGBT+ scene. At least one bar in Wales has closed permanently due to the ongoing crisis, while another said that it would be closing indefinitely.

    Is there support for a National Lockdown?

    We surveyed readers of THEGAYUK on whether they’d support a second “circuit breaker” lockdown. 58 per cent of readers said that they would support another lockdown, 30 per cent said they didn’t why the remaining 12 per cent said they were unsure.

  • Royal Vauxhall Tavern backs G-A-Y’s legal challenge to 10 PM curfew

    Royal Vauxhall Tavern backs G-A-Y’s legal challenge to 10 PM curfew

    One of London’s longest-running LGBT+ pubs, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) has backed G-A-Y’s Jeremy Joseph in his quest to legally challenge the controversial restrictions placed on the hospitality sector across the UK, which the government has said is a “necessary measure” to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

    In a message of solidarity, the RVT’s CEO James Lindsay echoed Jeremy Joseph’s comments that the 10 PM curfew “made no sense” adding, “not only us it another massive blow to us as a business, but it also puts our customers at more risk” as the 10 PM kick out means that hundreds of pub and restaurant-goers are forced out into the street at the same time.

    No science to back up the curfew

    four women chatting while sitting on bench
    Photo by ELEVATE on Pexels.com

    They added, “We totally support Jeremy Joseph and the action he has taken with the NTIA (Night Times Industries Association) to hold Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock account for this dangerous and shortsighted action that seems designed to blame the night time industry for increased numbers of Covid-19 cases when there is no science to back it up.”

    Adding her voice, London’s night czar Amy Lamé wrote on social media, “Another weekend of London’s struggling hospitality businesses closing early due to the Govt’s arbitrary curfew. When will @10DowningStreet realise they are part of the SOLUTION, not the problem? @SadiqKhan and I are calling for an urgent review + financial support

  • In the midst of COVID misery, a new LGBT+ bar has opened

    In the midst of COVID misery, a new LGBT+ bar has opened

    Everything is doom and gloom in the hospitality industry as you might expect. With restrictions and ever-changing guidance from the government, the industry has become, for many, almost unsustainable.

    One bar in Cardiff has been forced to close for the duration of the newly introduced 10 PM curfew.

    However, Zodiac Bar London is bucking the trend and has actually flung open its doors, which for some may seem a strange business move what with everything going on in 2020, but it turns it’s been very popular with the local community.

    The bar actually opened its door back in July and has proved a success for LGBT+ folk in the North London area.

    From a one-off to extended days and opening hours.

    Zodiac Bar started off as an LGBT+ night in July at a “Northern Soul” bar on Junction Road, N19, but due to the success it’s actually taken over the venue from Wednesday to Saturday, 5 PM until 2 AM, (now 10 PM due to COVID-19 restrictions).

    According to the venue’s website, the bar was “The brainchild of TransWoman Jade (aka Lady Phoenix) and her partner, they have now introduced theme nights for Bears, The Trans Community (including TS,TV & CD), Lesbians; and also plan to include fetish nights, Drag Acts & Cabarets (when rules allow), LGBTQ talent contests and Bingo/Quiz nights in the near future.”

  • Music ban “nail in the coffin” for gay bars in Scotland

    Music ban “nail in the coffin” for gay bars in Scotland

    A well-known LGBT+ bar in Aberdeen has called the decision to ban background music in hospitality venues a “nail in the coffin” and urgently called for a review into allowing music back in venues in Scotland.

    In a statement, Cheerz Bar in Aberdeen wrote, “We’ve gone from a party venue with Drag, DJ’s and Karaoke 7 Days a week, 365 Days a year to still be functional with table ordering and background music but recent changes in government legislation has stopped this in an effort to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.”

    It also called for urgent help for the hospitality sector from both the Scottish and UK government. It said that the lack of support for bars and nightclub was “deeply disappointing”.

    The ban on background music was introduced by the Scottish Government on the 14th of August.

    The lack of music could lead to people avoiding bars altogether

    In the statement Cheerz owners laid out how they believed the ban on music would affect its customers’ behaviour, saying,
    ” – Customers will now get closer to have private conversations.

    – Customers will speak louder because music will no longer disperse the sound of other tables.

    – Customers will be more inclined to party at other households with music.

    Massive losses for hospitality sector

    Cheerz noted how businesses in the hospitality sector have sustained massive losses, due to “stock wastage, rental costs, water rates, equipment charges”.

    On top of this, Cheerz bar says it was sent a bill from Aberdeen City Council, looking for its annual licensing fees.

    “We are trying our hardest to keep our doors open at this time but ultimately we need to save our team’s jobs and our venue”, the statement added.

    “We’ve made it 10 years, and we hope to make it for another 10+ but this now depends on the actions of the Government.

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Waterloo

    Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Waterloo

    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.

    Chariots Streatham

    Was closed in 2017 to make way for a new development in the area.

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Streatham

    Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Streatham

    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.

    Chariots Streatham

    Just weeks after Chariots announced it was closing its Shoreditch brand, it closed Chariots Streatham without notice. Read about the closure here.

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Shoreditch

    Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Shoreditch

    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.

    Chariots Shoreditch

    It was London’s largest sauna but was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new development. Read about the closure here

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Steamworks, New Cross

    Lost LGBT Scene | Steamworks, New Cross

    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.

    Steamworks Sauna

    Sauna based in New Cross Closed 2014

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    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.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!