THEGAYUK

Category: Scene

  • Woman Who Wrecked Gay Bar Fined Just £165

    A woman who created £4500 worth of damage to a gay bar in Crawley has been order to pay just £165 in damages.

    (more…)

  • G-A-Y Club To Hold One Minute Silence For Paris Victims Before Show Tonight

    One of the UK’s biggest gay clubs, G-A-Y at Heaven will hold a one minute’s silence before its show tonight.

    G-A-Y boss, Jeremy Joseph tweeted that a decision had been made to show “respect” to victims of a terror attack in Paris yesterday by holding a minute’s silence before tonight’s show starring Fleur East and Seann Miley Moore.

    The French capital of Paris was the scene of chaos last night as 8 reported terrorist members of ISIS killed scores of people and injuring at least 100.
    In a chilling statement where the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the atrocity, the Bataclan concert hall, where nearly 90 people were killed, was chosen specifically because “hundreds of idolaters were together in a party of perversity”.
    Islamic State have stepped up their executions of gay men, or men accused of being gay in 2015 in the regions in which they are in control. In the past ISIS has branded gay people ‘the worst of all creatures’.
    In a flash poll 43% of our readers said that the terror attacks on Paris made them worried about going out socially, raising questions about whether LGBT venues are safe from terror attacks both in Europe and in the UK.
    THEGAYUK reached out for comment from Mr Joseph on whether extra security measures would be taken.
    Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for counter terrorism, said:

    “We have been strengthening policing on the street. People may notice some changes at events at big cities across the country.

    “We will constantly keep that under review in the forthcoming days and weeks but we can’t let the terrorists defeat us by becoming fearful and withdrawing from the streets.

    “The term I would use is ‘to be alert, not alarmed’.

  • Man Dies After Becoming Ill In Newcastle Gay Sauna

    Man Dies After Becoming Ill In Newcastle Gay Sauna

    A man has died in hospital after falling ill at a gay sauna in Newcastle.

    (more…)

  • Gay Bars That Have Closed In London Since The Turn Of The Century

    Gay Bars That Have Closed In London Since The Turn Of The Century

    There’s a lot of conversation over the number of gay/LGBT bars and clubs that have closed in recent years, using an old copy of Fluid magazine, (which no longer exist either) from 2001 we discover the bars, clubs or gay nights that have closed in London since 2000.

    Can you help us create a full listing complete with pictures? We’re trying to create the ultimate Lost LGBT Scene archive. If you have any details you can add to the descriptions or have photos please click on the venue and use the comment section at the bottom of the page to add your memories.

    Gay Bars Closed (124)

    (Click on the name to go to the venue’s page)

    1. 3 Monkey: Greenwich
    2. The Angel: a cabaret bar in Stratford.
    3. The Anvil: rather sleazy bar within the Shipwrights Arms in Tooley Street
    4. Artful Dodger: in Highbury and Islington.
    5. The Backstreet: London’s longest-running fetish and leather club 1985-2022.
    6. The Bar: a large style cafe bar in Shoreditch.
    7. Bar Aquda: on Maiden Lane near Covent Garden.
    8. Barcode Vauxhall: cruisy bar in Albert Embankment. 1996 – 2015
    9. Barcode: a dancey bar in Soho which closed in the late 00s.
    10. Bar Fusion: in Islington.
    11. Bar Titania: Was on Charing Cross Road on the site of the old Ku Bar next to Manbar/CXR. Closed 2016.
    12. The Birdcage: A traditional friendly pub in Chiswick which closed in 2006.
    13. The Black Cap: legendary North London drag bar and club which closed in 2015. 1965 – 2015
    14. The Black Horse: East end gay bar near Stepney Green.
    15. Blackout: an Art Deco style cocktail bar on Molton Street
    16. The Blush Bar: a lesbian bar in Stoke Newington. 1997 – 2015.
    17. The Boltons: Corner of Earls Court Rd & Brompton Rd
    18. The Box: relaxed cafe on Seven Dials near Covent Garden.
    19. Brewery Tap: a friendly local gay bar in Stockwell
    20. Brewers Tap: Walthamstow 
    21. The Britannia: a different themed night every night in Leytonstone
    22. Brief Encounters
    23. The British Prince: An intimate east end boozer near Limehouse
    24. Bromptons: Big and cruisy was once part of the now-defunct Earl’s Court gay scene. Is now being turned into flats. 1984 – 2008.
    25. Buzz Bar: Bar in Clapham Junction
    26. Cafe Au-Reole: gay bar set on two floors, was part of the Earl’s Court gay scene.
    27. Central Station, Walthamstow: gay bar with nightly entertainment in Walthamstow.
    28. Candy Bar: London’s number one Lesbian bar – had a brief reopening, but closed again in 2014. 1996 – 2014
    29. Catch 22: short-lived gay bar in Wood Green, the most northern gay bar in London.
    30. The Cellar Bar, Charing Cross
    31. Citrus Grove: Fridays only in Gipsy Hill.
    32. The Champion: long-running and unpretentious in Notting Hill.
    33. Copacabana: Disco bar in Earls Court closed in the late 90s
    34. Cock: a traditional pub in Kennington which closed in 2005.
    35. Cock and Comfort: large gay boozer in Bethnal Green
    36. The Coleherne: bar which tried to rebrand in 2008 becoming the Pembroke. It was London’s oldest gay bar until its closure.
    37. The Coronet: described as a stylish east end bar, near Stratford, now apartments
    38. Compass: Islington
    39. Crews: Central London, on St. Martin’s Lane. Read a story about why Crews was opened.
    40. 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.
    41. David Warriors A Bar: for men with attitude – men only in Southwark
    42. Due South: in Stoke Newington
    43. Dukes: a gay bar which was very popular with bears in Vauxhall It now operates as Eagle London, which is still a gay venue.
    44. The Duke of Clarence: Lesbian bar on Rotherfield Street, just off Essex Road, Islington.
    45. The Duke of Wellington: mixed and friendly bar in Islington.
    46. Edge, The: 4 Storey gay bar perched on the edge of Soho Square.
    47. Embassy, The
    48. Escape: Popular dance bar with student night in Soho, closed in 2014. 1998 – 2014.
    49. Fallen Angel: Islington. Bar with rooms upstairs where support groups would meet. Has now been turned into flats.
    50. Flag, The, Finsbury Park
    51. The Fort: a cruisy gay bar in Elephant and Castle. Was reported closed in August 2011. 1997 – 2011.
    52. First Out Cafe Bar: legendary gay venue lasted 25 years before closing in 2011. 1986 – 2011.
    53. The George Music Bar: Cosy bar in Isleworth.
    54. Goose and Carrot: a gay-friendly mixed pub in Croydon
    55. Gladstone Arms: gay bar in Borough which had regular themed nights.
    56. Gloucester, The: Gay bar featured in Beautiful Thing
    57. The Green: Swanky, an upmarket bar on Upper Street, Islington. 2007 – 2012.
    58. The Green Carnation: Upper market wine bar on the edge of Soho. Closed in 2015.
    59. The Green Man: Traditional and mixed in Harlesden.
    60. George And Dragon: in Shoreditch was forced to close after a dramatic price hike in its lease.
    61. Golden Lion, Kings Cross
    62. The Halfway House: described as east London’s friendly gay bar in Bethnal Green.
    63. 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)
    64. The Hoist: cruise and sex venue for guys in Vauxhall. Closed in January 2017 after 21 years in business
    65. The Horns: cruise bar at London Bridge.
    66. Jacomos
    67. The Joiner’s Arms: Long established LGBT space which closed in January 2015 1997 – 2015
    68. Jonathan’s
    69. The Jubilee Tavern
    70. Two8Six: Was a pub formerly known as Stonewalls, it closed in 2012. The 1960s – 2012
    71. Kazbar: Announced it would close at the end of 2016. Was one of two gay bars in Clapham, the other being The Two Brewers.
    72. Kensington Roof Gardens: had a gay night on Sundays.
    73. King Edward IV: in Islington closed in 2011. 1966 – 2011
    74. Kudos
    75. 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)
    76. Limelight, On Charing Cross Road, near the Palace Theatre. Was a Sunday night evening event.
    77. The Little Apple: traditional gay pub closed in 2014. 1993 – 2014
    78. Lo-Profile: a gay bar started by the dating site, Gaydar, closed in 2013.
    79. London Apprentice: Old Street, North London
    80. Lower Ground: a basement bar in West Hampstead.
    81. Lounge: iconic lesbian night which closed and then reopens and then closed again.
    82. Macbeth, The: gay run pub near Old Street.
    83. Madame Jo Jos: famed Drag venue which closed in 2014. 1966 – 2014
    84. Manbar: the bar that went on to replace CRX79 on Tottenham Court Road.
    85. The Market Tavern: Islington.
    86. 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.
    87. The Navy Arms: a Friendly pub in Deptford.
    88. Nelson’s Head: a traditional pub in Horatio Street. 2007 – 2015.
    89. The Oak: lesbian bar in Manor House. 1994 – 2013
    90. Old Ship: East end gay pub near Old Street. (UPDATE) It’s now under new management and isn’t “gay” anymore, but gay-friendly – and has drag acts.
    91. The Orange: Described as a large boys space, with themes every night.
    92. The Outback Bar: next to Buzz Bar, also closed in Clapham Junction.
    93. Penny Farthing: A favourite Hammersmith hangout.
    94. Piano Bar
    95. Play Pit: A sleazy barroom cruisy bar in Kings Cross
    96. Profile: a cafe and bar opened by dating gurus Gaydar, closed in 2013 along with the sale of their radio station Gaydar Radio. 2007 – 2013.
    97. Prohibition Cafe Bar: gay owned, a gay-friendly pub in Streatham.
    98. Princess Of Wales: Friendly gay bar in Woolwich.
    99. Queens Arms: closed in the early 2000s and turned into flats. It was a smart, upmarket pub.
    100. Queens Arms: a homely pub in Hounslow Central.
    101. Queens Head: Chelsea gay/straight pub that was unable to negotiate a new lease due to increased costs in 2016.
    102. Ram, The: Islington with legendary party nights.
    103. Rocket: Two bars in one, in Acton.
    104. Roebuck: a bar situated in Rennell Street, later called Bar Phoenix which was eventually demolished.
    105. Rose and Crown: Greenwich
    106. Red Stiletto: in Vauxhall.
    107. Racecourse: The a friendly mixed pub in Crouch End.
    108. Route 73: traditional gay bar in Stoke Newington.
    109. Rush Bar: a lesbian bar which closed in the mid-2000s.
    110. 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 gay leading 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 info)
    111. The Salmon, in Islington
    112. Shadow Lounge: A members dance club/bar that allowed guest listing announced it was to shut in September 2016.
    113. Skinners Arms: a Traditional gay pub in Oval.
    114. Soho’s Strippers
    115. Southopia: a lesbian bar in Kennington.
    116. The Spiral Staircase, a gay bar on Shoreditch Highstreet
    117. SW9: a stylish cafe bar in Brixton.
    118. The Stag
    119. Star And Garter: a traditional pub in Bromley. 2006 – 2014.
    120. Stokey Stop: a lesbian bar in Stoke Newington
    121. West Central
    122. White Horse: a mixed pub on the Westferry DLR.
    123. Woolwich Infant: Plumstead
    124. Y Bar: On Essex Road in Islington.
    125. 79CXR: manly bar on Tottenham Court Road. 1994 -2015

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Gay Clubs Closed (43)

    1. Adams Club: In in Leicester Sq.
    2. Area: Dance club in Albert Embankment 2006 – 2014
    3. Atelier at The End: Weekly lounge-style event near Tottenham Court Road.
    4. Bangs Nightclub on Charing Cross Road in the 70s
    5. Benjy’s 2000: a Sunday night club night for gay men, near Mile End.
    6. The Block: A Bromley by Bow dress code, cruisy club night.
    7. Catacombs: A bar in Earl’s Court, which never sold alcohol. Read a story from the Catacombs.
    8. Coco Latte: every Friday night at the Chocolate Bar.
    9. Club V: a popular gay indie night every other Saturday in Islington.
    10. Club Kali: at the Dome, a bi-monthly Bhangra bash in N19.
    11. Club Tranvesties: A Stepney night for “TVs/ TSs” every Sunday near Aldgate East
    12. Chaguaramas Club: Neal St, closed in 1970
    13. Crash: late night club from 10.30 in Vauxhall. Closed in 2007. It now operates as Union, which is still a gay event.
    14. Dorian Club off Kings Road in Chelsea in the 70s
    15. DTPM
    16. El Sombrero: (Yours or Mine) Kensington High Street
    17. Extreme: Sunday afternoon clubbing from 1 PM till 9 PM.
    18. FF was at Turnmills
    19. Fist: described as a “sleaze pit” with a strictly enforced dress code.
    20. G-A-Y: at the Astoria: 1993 – 2008 Moved to Heaven.
    21. Gay Tea Dance: at the Limelight on Shaftesbury Ave.
    22. 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
    23. Le Foyer: A club in Soho in 70s
    24. Long Yang Club: a gay night for Southeast Asians.
    25. The Masquerade club: On Earl’s Court Road
    26. Napoleon: A club on Bond street
    27. Off The Hook: at Velvet – mixed Monday night club.
    28. The Phoenix: clubbing on Saturdays near Oxford Circus.
    29. Popstarz: mixed club night which used to be held in Kings Cross closed in November 2014.
    30. Reflections: an intimate gay night in Stratford.
    31. Reflex: attitude-free clubbing in Kingston Upon Thames.
    32. Sadie Masie: at the now-defunct London lesbian and Gay Centre in Cow Cross Street, Farringdon. (Thanks to John)
    33. Shadow Lounge: A members club in the heart of Soho famous for its light-up dance floor and VIP sections. Closed 2016.
    34. Silks Club: A club in Shepherd’s Bush shopping centre
    35. Spats club in Oxford St.
    36. The Spiral: gay-friendly club near Old Street.
    37. Substation South: late night club, with different themes each night of the week in Brixton.
    38. Substation Sound-Shaft: on Hungerford Lane – cruisy late night club/bar – Thursday nights were called Twisted and Fridays were called SPUNK.
    39. Subway: Leicester Square
    40. The Lounge: described as a “gentleman’s” club with bar and restaurant.
    41. The Masquerade Club, In Earl’s Court
    42. Trade: Techno club night at Turnmills. 4 AM till 1 PM in Farringdon. Last night was held in October 2015.
    43. Trash Palace: In Soho, set over three floors down the road from Ku Bar.
    44. The Tube: Late night club and cruise bar on Saturdays was called Wigout.
    45. Turnmills: Clerkenwell
    46. Voltz: Was beneath the Roebuck in Lewisham.

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Other gay venues closed

    Biograph: A cinema were gay men went, but didn’t spend much time watching films. Read a story about a young man’s first sexual encounter at Biograph.

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Gay Saunas Closed

    Steamworks 309 – Sauna based in New Cross Closed 2014

    Chariots Shoreditch – It was London’s largest sauna but was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new development.

    Chariots Streatham – Was a sauna that was closed without warning in 2016.

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

    Holland Park Sauna – A sauna right in the middle of the shopping centre

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Can you help us flesh out descriptions? Send your email to newsdesk@thegayuk.com. Please let us know if any of the listings are mistaken or if we’ve left a favourite haunt of yours.

    [wpuf_form id=”101288″]

    [weforms id=107087]

  • London: Oldest Gay Venue RVT Gets Listed Status

    The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has been granted listed status, now a community group is trying to raise money to buy the iconic venue back off the property developers.

    Campaigners are now facing the task of raising enough money to buy the Royal Vauxhall Tavern off Austrian property company Immovate, after Historic England granted the building listed status, meaning there will be restrictions on how the space and building can be modified.

    However the current leaseholder and CEO, James Lindsay, has stated in an interview with Boyz that “RVT is not for sale” and has no intention of handing the RVT over to anyone.

    A number of LGBT venues have closed in 2015 and since the year 2000 an investigation by THEGAYUK had found that over 86 gay pubs and bars have been shuttered.

    Earlier in 2015 another of London’s iconic venues The Black Cap was closed.

    A spokesperson for the owner of the property Immovate refused to comment on future plans for the building.

    The owners have been steadfastly silent about their plans with the community, despite numerous calls for a conversation.

  • New Gay Night Starts In North London As Bump Starts Up Again

    Bump is back and has moved from its Leicester Square starting place to North London’s newest gay bar Bloc Bar.

    Launching this autumn, club night Bump is being revived in Camden. Chris Amos, who formely owned Manbar, launched BUMP in Leicester Square early 2014 to much acclaim and buzz but unfortunately the building was shut down for a regeneration project. So it is with much excitement the team is back together, this includes DJs Gretta Gargola, Ale Amaral and Wesley Marilio.
    Promoter Chris Amos explains why he is bringing this sexy party back: “There has been a lot of discussion about London’s gay scene eroding, with chemsex parties, dating apps and venue closures. But to be honest I think there has been a lack of inspiration in putting parties on too. Nights like Brut and Bang are proof there is still an appetite for fun parties in London. After seeing Bloc Bar, I knew straight away this is somewhere the scene is going to love to party. So it made sense to bring BUMP back to this venue. Plus the circuit party music vibe we have going on will make BUMP stand out from other nights. See you there!”

    BUMP IS BACKVenue: BLOC BAR, 18 Kentish Town Road, NW1 9NX London

    When: Saturday 14th November 2015 >>> 9pm to 3am

    Entry Price: £8 / £5 concession list

    Circuit party vibes. BUMP is back at Bloc Bar in Camden on Saturday 14th November 2015. Disc jocks Ale Amaral, Gretta Gargola & Wesley Marilio are bringing the best of Brazilian and Spanish tribal sounds to the yard. Plus London’s friendly door hosts naturally… JJ Clark & Cain Jennings! Get on the concession guest list by RSVPing at the Facebook event.

  • First After Hours Gay Club In The UK Will Close For Good After 25 Years

    London’s first after hours nightclub aimed at the gay community in London will close for good tonight as Trade bids farewell after 25 years.

    Gay clubbing experience Trade is throwing its final club night tonight as another landmark gay space closes in the UK’s capital. Having opened its doors in 1990, Trade was the first club in the UK to be granted a 24 hour license.

    Starting life in Turnmills in Clerkenwell, Trade was a weekly event for those on the LGBT scene who liked to continue their partying from 3AM until the afternoon the night after.
    A fave with the fashion, media, art and music crowd, Trade has had fans like Bjork, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Boy George, Kylie Morillo, Rupert Everett and Erick Morillo. It is rumoured to have turned Madonna away at the door.

    To celebrate its impact on the London night life scene and gay culture since the 1990s the “Trade: Often Copied, Never Equalled” Exhibition is at the Islington Museum, London until January 16th 2016.
    TRADE: THE FINAL will take place on Sunday the 25th October from 2PM to 9AM the following day at EGG London.

     

  • New Gay Bar In Camden Asks To Extend Trading Hours Until 3AM

    Picking up from where The Black Cap left off, Bloc Bar is asking for its trading license to be extended, allowing it to serve until 3 am.

    The Black Cap was inauspiciously closed earlier this year leaving Camden, a borough in North London, without an LGBT home. After its demise, Bloc Bar was opened in July one minute away from the old venue.

    According to Camden New Journal, Nigel Harris, who chairs Camden LGBT Forum, said:

    “Since the closure of the Black Cap on Camden High Street, a minute’s walk from the Bloc Bar, a significant number of LGBT residents have lost their community hub.

    The Cap was the only LGBT venue in Camden Town. Many residents facing severe isolation and difficulty with their own sexuality and gender identity relied on the Cap as a place to meet others and a sanctuary from homophobia. The Bloc Bar, although without the Cap’s history, will provide a much-needed hub for these residents.”

    He added: “The drive to keep our heritage of providing local opportunities for artists to perform is very important. Providing the Bloc Bar with a late licence will allow this to continue… cabaret and drag performers perform late and it is not plausible to operate cabaret before 11pm”.

    The extended trading license would allow for public performances until the early hours of the morning. The Black Cap was famous for its association with drag talent in North London. It has been credited for the birth place and stomping ground for many leading drag queens.

  • Gay Club In Coventry Is Set To Reopen The Weekend

    The LGBT community in Coventry is set to welcome back a gay club set to open this weekend.

    A gay club in Coventry called Rainbows is set to relaunch this weekend after closing for extensive refurbishment. The club in Short Street will be open from midday on Friday until 4pm to give customers a chance to see the new look before fully opening this weekend.

    The club first opened in May 1997.

    Speaking to the Coventry Telegraph Manager Gary Joines said:

    “Rainbows has been closed for some essential building work.

    “As a result, we now have a brand new upstairs bar area, and cloakroom. The downstairs bar area has been redecorated giving it a brighter, more modern feel.

    “We’ve also done some work to the stair case and toilets giving them a new look.

    “The whole venue looks lighter, brighter and fresher – giving it a whole new lease of life!”

  • REVIEW: L’escargot Upstairs Private Members Club

    Is Soho artistically dead? Hardly. Greek Street’s L’escargot – the superlative, French restaurant open since 1927 – has opened a sumptuously upscale, deeply gay-friendly, member’s club.

    And it’s crucially needed, because frankly, Soho was looking tired, tattered and – most shockingly – decayed, the worst crime imaginable for a hedonistic paradise. Like other endangered species, the floridly artistic, theatrical and merely eccentric citizens of London’s prized, premier Bohemia have been systemically disenfranchised.

    Not surprising. A scorched-earth policy of insensitive redevelopment has closed iconic venues and shut gloriously eccentric shops, junking the avant-garde for the averagely-grotesque. But mercifully, there’s still gorgeous life in Soho beyond chain stores on every corner. Without doubt, L’Escargot’s new member’s club heralds a quantum-leap, quality Renaissance for the entire area.
    It’s the staggeringly beautiful brainchild of two highly-esteemed bon vivants and lovers of the arts, Brian Chivas and Laurence Isaacson. Both have impeccable, cultural gourmet credentials, with Brian Chivas having run private member’s clubs Home House and Mayfair’s Arts Club, and Chez Gerard restauranteur Laurence Isaacson co-founding the Covent Garden Arts Festival. Together, their talents create an irresistible force for positive, cultural change, and they’re comprehensively addressing one inexplicably gaping hole – the lack of refined luxury for mature creatives – in Soho’s existing member’s clubs.

    Astonishingly, that issue’s never been addressed before, and most probably, stems from creative laziness. Too often, new venture planning assumes a below-40s demographic as a shaping aesthetic. The results, of course, are shockingly mediocre – a voluntary torture regime designer-cut for sociopaths. Jarring, over-loud music and harsh lighting discourage cosy quality time, and encourage rapid, uncomfortable but lucrative, member visits.

    But who wants such an empty, soul-destroying experience, especially if you’re a forty-something, gay creative wanting to unwind? Why endure bars, clubs and restaurants where pumping sound-systems drown even bellowed conversation? Mercifully, L’escargot embraces an entirely different philosophy – the soothing of the savaged, civilized soul.

    Fully appreciating that its’ members relish experiences beyond a crass battering of the senses, L’Escargot is the discrete, unarguable pearl of Soho’s artistic urban oyster. Set within the glorious of a 200-year old Georgian townhouse, even the slightest, first step across the threshold induces a psychological ‘Narnia Effect’ – the sense of extraordinary, hidden wonders.
    Is it really that impressive? In a word, yes. And in a beyond-bland world where corporate ‘adventurism’ spells fifty brands of beige, this is luxury run fabulously riot. Forget sterile atriums with the icy panache of dentist’s drills; L’Escargot is a four-storey, Faberge Easter egg of eclectic excellence.

    The multi-sensuous mystique begins with the first, frosted kiss of the restaurant’s cut-glass chandeliers downstairs. All warmly inviting, dark scarlet walls and pale oak floors, Art Deco classicism is married to an enviably French conviviality. Immediately, the space becomes a feast for the appreciative senses, the furthest point possible from globally-franchised minimalism.
    That’s barely the tip of a Crown Jewels iceberg. Step upstairs beyond the five-star cuisine and wine cellar, and you’re entranced by a jewel-box warren of six rooms on four floors. With each a uniquely themed highlight in a consistently opulent aesthetic, it’s tempting to draw comparisons with Prince Regent’s beautifully eccentric Brighton Pavilion and Hugh Walpole’s stunning, mock-Gothic mansion Strawberry Hill.

    Throughout, there’s a sheer, unrestrained joy in decor designed, in an almost Noel Coward sense, for the pleasure of enlightened living. Designed and executed by the formidable Russell Sage studio, whose clients include Quaglino’s and The Hospital Club, the decor fiercely rejects the English fear of vibrant colour and longing for Laura Ashley limpidity.
    Instead, quite triumphantly, there’s a hot-house fantasia of sensations, each richer than the last. A plushly-carpeted, spiral staircase leads to a startlingly elegant, lushly pale green and high-ceilinged dining-room, a delight of white linen and beveled wall mirrors. Turn again, and there’s a secluded library complete with fire, an erudite echo chamber to one’s own thoughts and those of others, and awash with Oscar Wilde associations of fine rococo book leather and mulled wine over fine cigars.

    And the jewels – like refugees from the otherworldly Arabian Nights – keep on coming. One brilliant royal blue room is offset by Romanesque gold-mosaic patterned accents, and another, imperial purple chamber boasts gleaming, gloss-black highlights like exotic, patent leather. The compact, all-crimson boudoir especially impresses, like a shimmering mirage of heated desire. And finally, there’s the matt-black, barrel-vaulted and brilliantly sky-lit upper Grand Siècle Salon, artfully set with studded, black leather Chesterfields, a baby grand piano and an en suite bar.
    Overall, it’s a superb, and much needed, reclamation of the art of intelligent Maximalism, as exemplified in the pop-art perfection of British artist and dandy Duggie Fields. Never cringingly retrospective or faux-nostalgic, this exuberant maximalism is a furiously effective antidote to an increasingly passé minimalism. In brief, it’s a life-style, art and philosophy cherishing the full richness of possibilities, in art, deportment and mind-sets.

    So no wonder that vision’s so dynamically realised here. Artworks by talents as diverse and challenging as Dali, Grayson Perry, Matisse and Alternative Miss World doyen Andrew Logan gild the walls as assured conversation pieces. In essence, the club’s become a deeply addictive space for urbane glamour, a bohemian kaleidoscope as equally suited to F.Scott Fitzgerald’s Lost Generation as to style gourmands David Hockney, Nancy Dell’Olio and Benedict Cumberbatch.And better yet, beyond its’ luxuriant, physical beauty and imminent roof terrace, L’escargot eagerly facilitates pocket music, theatre, arts and film night events. But unlike other grand, London spaces, where opulence is also icily formal, L’esgarcot prizes member friendliness as its’gold standard. ‘The most important thing is how they treat the receptionists and waiters’, co-founder Brian Chivas has said. ‘There have to be places people of my age (he’s an effortlessly charming 55) can go without all the madness that goes with youth culture’.He’s right. In an increasing fractious world swamped by youth culture attitudes, demands and tastes, any contemporary Oscar Wilde or mature epicurean would feel excluded. That’s no critique of youth, just acknowledging that we deepen and become increasingly nuanced in maturity, and gain appreciation of new pleasures never previously considered. They’re states of mind brilliantly evoked by flâneur, raconteur and debut author Phillip Mann, in his upcoming, cultural critique Dandies At Dusk (Flammarion Books, £40). It’s a title which succinctly applies to L’escargot’s inimitable, nurturing ambiance, and which makes it, unarguably, the soul of the new Renaissance Soho.
    REVIEW L’escargot Upstairs Private Members Club.

    48 Greek Street, Soho.

    5 Stars

  • New LGBTI Show Planned For Football Fans

    Scotland’s resident LGBTI radio station Xpress Radio Scotland, has launched a new football show ’90 minutes’, hosted by avid fans of the sport, Iain Sharkey and David Sinclair.

    (more…)