The Cave of the Golden Calf, which opened in 1912, is considered to be the first gay nightclub. At the start of the 20th century, more specifically LGBTQ+ venues began opening, although they were often subject to harassment by legal authorities. Same-sex activity between men remained a capital offence until 1861. She was arrested for keeping a Molly House, and three of her customers were hanged at Tyburn.
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The venue only lasted a couple of years, but became notorious after Mother Clap’s trial at the Old Bailey. Perhaps the most famous Molly House was that of Mother Clap, situated in Field Lane, Holborn, which was one of the most infamous rookeries on the Fleet River. It came as a given that these places were often raided, and records from the Old Bailey reveal frequent instances of gay men being blackmailed for money.
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Generally functioning as taverns, public houses or even private clubs, these places were a popular way for gay men to meet in times of legal and social persecution. Spaces for queer people to come together, love and have sex have always been around, but the first documented spaces for queer interaction in London, especially of gay men, are the 18th-century Molly Houses.
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It is also the custodian of the Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive (LAGNA), which includes over 300,000 press cuttings from the straight press regarding LGBTQ+ history from the 1890s to today, plus the UK Leather and Fetish Archives. The Institute holds many archives and collections, ranging from London History, Labour and Socialist History, and its LGBTQ+ archives encompass LGBTQ+ history, politics and culture, with archives from Stonewall, Switchboard, GMFA (The Gay Men's Health Charity) and Outrage!, and material relating to the Terrence Higgins Trust, as well as to Achilles Heel and QX magazines. LGBTQ+ stories are interlinked with social movements in London, and Bishopsgate Institute documents the experiences of everyday people, and the extraordinary individuals and organisations who have strived for social, political and cultural change. Pictures, signs and other ephemera end up in archives, like that of Bishopsgate Institute, which holds archival material for many of these closed nightclubs, as well as photographic collections and items of clothing worn by queer people on their nights out. Memories of these often legendary night venues don’t just disappear into thin air. Many venues face even bleaker prospects during the pandemic: this week saw rumours of the permanent closure of London’s iconic Retro Bar, for example. From 2006 to 2017, the number of LGBTQ+ clubs, bars and performance spaces in London has dropped by more than 50 per cent. While some iconic venues, such as the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, are currently surviving, many clubs have seen their limelights turning off over the past 20 years, including Bromptons, Dukes, The Joiner’s Arms and Turnmills (to name just a few). The decline of these night-time venues over the past decade has prompted much debate. We come together to celebrate, mourn and forget in these havens of acceptance and equality. Marcella Puppini joins new regular DJ Rich B whilst plans are in place to introduce celebrity guest DJs over the coming months.For many of us, queer nightclubs have inspired freedom and individual expression. We had an amazing opening weekend, hosting a Freemason night on Friday followed by Hoxton Whores on Saturday and a jazz cabaret from La Voix and her band Vol Au Vents on Sunday.”Īside from cosmetic changes to the bar, Karl has introduced a new entry level champagne Louis Dornier available at a ‘Happy Hour’ discount of £19 a bottle everyday between 4pm and 8pm, as well as range of new cocktails, perfect for summer drinking. Speaking of the refurbishment general manager Karl Nixon said, “The bar looks spectacular now and feedback so far from Rupert Street regulars has been really positive. Scantily-clad models welcomed guests as they flocked to visit the new look venue throughout the weekend. Rupert Street Bar just off Shaftesbury Avenue in Soho celebrated its re-launch with a Freemason party night on Friday 19th July. One of London’s most iconic gay bars has opened following a £125,000 refurbishment, creating two additional new jobs.