Kate and Mariam interview Goldsmiths students to find out the tea about London nightlife!Show less
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Tag: london
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Overheard by the Bartender
Travel to the streets of Peckham to find out the gossip behind the bar from a bartender based in Central London.
Honey, these boots were made for…hobbling? Nah we like to enjoy our nights out!
It’s a Saturday night, you already know the deal. Getting ready for the club with the girls but don’t know what to wear on your feet. For decades, heels have been the standard, but is that standard getting tired? You’ve noticed every week, more girls are sporting trainers and slides – you start to ask yourself, is this the new norm? Yep, gimme some of that comfort!
Obviously, The type of footwear worn on the night will depend on the club, its rules and possibly its location.
A major example of this can be Mayfair and Central London clubs, as they have a very specific standard for their guests.
“Girls have to wear heels to come to Mayfair clubs, if the girls aren’t wearing good heels the club doesn’t like it, they hate flats.”, says a promoter who works regularly at these venues.
In certain spaces, heels are still the standard for footwear as they are perceived as making outfits more put together. Clearly these guys don’t have a clue, but whatever. However, there are clubbing spaces where this is not the case and you can wear what you like; especially those with. An example being club events where there are sure to be mosh-pits; you want to avoid wearing open-toe shoes because imagine you ruin your fresh pedicure *gasp* or even worse, you break a toe!
So let’s take a quick look around a gal’s other options…
1. Heeled boots- This is a version of a heel that gives you a more sturdy balance whilst looking cute and stylish. They also give height without adding strain onto the feet due to the usually thicker heel. “If I want some extra height then I will wear boots to a party because they are the most comfy version of a heel and they go with so many outfits.”Says our pal, Stacey, 20 year old student from Stratford. And yep, it’s all around the socials. Rapper Ice Spice was pictured in a stunning pair of boots for a recent photoshoot for Marc Jacobs.
2. Sliders – I don’t mean any regular slides – this isn’t a pool-side vibe – however, they have to be cute. With a design that gives it a pass for literally being slides and not heels. These could include fluffy slides, designer, or understated sliders with a nice design. ‘Sliders are more convenient and comfortable, I can last the whole night without my feet burning! I will usually take my slides from the cloakroom and change during the night’ – Says Soca afficionado, 22-year-old Amy from Lewisham. Supermodel, Bella Hadid, was spotted wearing a pair of fluffy sliders a while back. And if it’s good enough for a Hadid, then…
3. Trainers – if you’re going to wear trainers, make sure that they are pretty understated, such as a standard Air Force 1 or designer, such as an Off White shoe. Definitely don’t wear tennis shoes as the bouncers may think they’re too casual or very expensive trainers that you care about getting ruined. Platform trainers, such as Reebox Club C, are a great option as they are dressy whilst giving you additional height and comfortability. “I usually wear Airforces or Converses to the club because they go with everything! I will only wear heels if they are a part of the dress code. Mainly for comfortability and safety in case I need to run away.” Says mosh-pit participant, Valerie, aged 20 from Northhampton.
Former US President, Barack Obama’s eldest daughter, Malia Obama was seen rocking a pair of Converse, in case you need proof of how cool they are.
4. Combat Boots – to piece together a fire outfit, combat boots are a statement piece which serve as a comfortable, highly functional and chunky shoe. Favourites include those by Doc Martens, Calvin Klein and Guess. “I love wearing my Doc Martens to motives because I feel confident and comfortable in them and at the end of the night I am never in excruciating pain.” Says Caribbean club fanatic, 21 year old Seań, from New Cross.
Reality TV star, Kourtney Kardashian Barker, was pictured sporting a pair of Prada boots, which retail at $1,420 at Nordstrom. But do we care about her?
It’s 2023, yes heels are great, but not everyone is a heel girl! Some of us want to feel comfortable whilst dancing the night away. You’ve got no choice now but to rock the boots, trainers – whatever tickles your fancy – and strut into that club like nobody’s business!
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Clublands True Colours
On the guest list? Always have a plan B if you’re black, as you’re never promised a seat at their table. We investigate the true colours of London’s Clubland.
he littest clubs with the hottest DJs, the Central London club scene is notorious for being exclusive and cut-throat and in particular with attitudes towards picking women to populate events. It’s a vicious circle for club goers who want to be on the list… but at what cost? For some Londoners, the colour of their skin is becoming a barrier to enjoying the clubland experience.
Nia is a 26-year-old, newly qualified solicitor who loves to live a soft life and party hard on the weekends. She lets us in on her experience with Mayfair Nightclubs.
I received an invite to Reign London by a promoter named Ali, he promised to out me on the guest list, with a table and free drinks for all of my friends. I always wanted to go to Reign, so I was excited. It has a reputation for being a lit and exclusive club, so I was interested to see what it was really like. There were two security guards and one Eastern European door lady at the entrance. Her energy seemed off.
Once I told her my cousin and I, for context we’re both black, were on Ali’s guest list, she looked at us blankly and bluntly told us that his table was full and to ask him to come outside. We were confused as to how the club could be full at 11pm, when the line opened at 10:30pm? Out of curiosity, I checked his Instagram to see how his table really looked – there were only two girls there. The door lady asked us to leave the queue and wait elsewhere. I was so annoyed – he invited us and we were still treated this way.
“As a black woman, I’m used to stuff like this but they had no reason to turn us away based on our physical appearance that we didn’t fit their ‘quota’.”
I DM’d Ali and filled him in on the situation and he asked for my WhatsApp, then he messaged me redirecting my cousin and I to another club, LUXX. This club was only a 5 minute drive from Reign, but that doesn’t make it any more appealing. This wasn’t the plan, and Ali started making excuses by claiming that he was ‘helping us’. The female bouncer made a snark comment claiming that it’s a 21+ club and denied us entry, even though I was 25 and my cousin was 23 at the time. Ali finally shut me down making excuses that the decision was up to the club and not him, so at that point I blocked him.
My cousin went home really upset, she thought it was her fault that we didn’t get in. I explained that it’s because they don’t like how we look. I’ve seen the most mediocre females get into these clubs because they’re white. People may receive that as an insult, but it’s not. Mid white women have a privilege. For black women to get even half of what they have we have to be twice as attractive and well dressed.
I posted a TikTok about the situation with text receipts, a year after posting it surprises me how I still get engagement till this day, but it’s so important that I raised awareness. If the club has a specific look that they want, why was the promoter DM-ing me telling me to come?
But Nia’s not alone. Tiah is a 22-year-old former NHS worker, a self-proclaimed homebody, but on occasion likes to turn up on the weekends with her girlfriends.
“It stings more when it comes from your own people.”
For a friends birthday, she planned for a group of us to party at a Central London club. I had a slight feeling that I would face some sort of discrimination, but I just kept it in mind. We got there early, with barely anyone in the queue. She is a White Latina and goes to these clubs a lot, so we followed her lead because she knows how to carry herself in these situations. Out of our group, I was the darkest one, I consider myself brown skinned.
The door people were sizing the queue up, judging what people are wearing and if they looked suitable enough to come in. There were two black girls in front of us who didn’t get in. It got to us and standing before us were three female security staff at the door; one white, mixed race and black. Funnily enough, the woman with my skin complexion was the one that I felt the most disapproval from.
She scanned me up and down, said hi, in a belittling tone, I felt that her energy was off. Then requested my ID and then peered down at one of my friends who was sitting on a step as her heels were hurting.
Our entry was denied because the club night was suddenly 21+ and the birthday girl was just turning 20. One of my friends thought that vibe was off with the door lady towards me. I explained it’s because I’m the black girl in the group. I just felt like that the black lady was very ‘whitewashed’, she was the same colour as me and still treating me that way. I didn’t entertain it and kept it classy because I refuse to play up to a stereotype if I retaliated and proved her right.
The reasons behind this unfair treatment are clear, according to our anonymous promoter source, who hosts events for Central London clubs.
“It’s so brutal, you do really have to be a cunt to work in that.”
I work in Mayfair. It’s good because the clubs give fair payment, including £10 per girl invited and a percentage for people buying a table, which normally go for at least £2,000. Promoters get in for free. However, if you’re a nice person and not trying to do clubbing your whole life, it can be a bit damaging for your image. As it can ruin relationships, especially when they reject people that you actually respect who don’t fit the ideal image of the strict door people.
The promoter says that in their experience the clubbing scene is very selective and exclusive. We as promoters, do care for our guests but don’t have control over who gets accepted, the people in charge are usually a really cunty door girl and the nightclub manager. You have to be mean in this industry and it’s hard because people think that promoters have a lot of power but they really don’t. They confirm that women of colour are held to a higher standard and look for women who have whiter features and cute outfits.
The staff at the door are really brutal towards black girls who don’t have those features. The treatment differs depending on which club you bring them to. But even if they do get let in, they will not get a table. Apparently it’s because a lot of the guests buy tables which are worth thousands of pounds and they want to see ‘beautiful models’, not everyday girls.
The promoter adds that clubs are OK with one black girl, but when there’s a whole group, they don’t like it. The tend to be redirected to ‘easier clubs’ and end up having a better time there.
The door people are all white, they pretend that they ‘don’t see colour’ but if a black girl was acting ‘ghetto’ then they would feel uncomfortable. The clubs believe those girls might cause trouble. They favour black girls who they consider posh and proper.
A lot of people find me on TikTok and it’s hard because there will be girls who go to promoters who have already rejected them, and come to me thinking I can get them in. I can always try but can never promise they will get in through me.
This racist clubbing system is very outdated, not aligning with our diverse London culture.
“I don’t think they’re going to be progressive and once they see that people have no hope in Mayfair, they might try to change for themselves. I hope they will change, maybe an article out one day that calls them out?”
The African and Caribbean club scene in London, is one like no other. Masses of people liming and jamming to both legendary and modern hits, uniting people from different sub-cultures.
We will be guiding you through six London clubs with the best music and vibes that take you back to the Islands.
Also, make sure to keep up with their socials so you don’t miss out on their upcoming events!
- Bashment Party @bashmentpartyuk – IG/TikTok
This club event describes itself as the UK’s #1 for Dancehall, Reggae and Soca music. Notorious for hosting bustling and vibrant concerts in the winter and chilled out day ‘rave’ parties and concerts in the summer. The party is guided through by both lit older and new-gen DJs, playing absolute bangers and Caribbean classics. Their next upcoming event, ‘DJ Nate’s Caribbean Rocks London’, will have performances by modern day Caribbean celebs including Barbados’ own Father Philis, best known for his viral TikTok hit, ‘Face Beat’ and Jamaican native Stalk Ashley, well known for her tune with Valient, ‘Narcissistic’. Hosted by DJ Nate (@djnateuk), a DJ and Producer with over 15 Million+ Mix Streams. This event is on Friday 7th July 2023, held at Indigo at the O2, 205 Peninsula Square, London SE10 0ES. A party you will kick yourself if you miss!
2. Rampage Sound System @ramagesound – IG/TikTok
’UK’s most renowned Sound System’.
A very popular group which performs at Notting Hill Carnival, as it hosts a sold out end of year motive. At their nightclub events, hosted at Fire and Lighthouse Vauxhall, DJs play an array of genres ranging from dancehall to garage, as a result the crowds are always buzzing. Their club venue has multiple rooms, so people can walk into different exciting settings in one night and as a result a well connected and popular. Previous DJs include Izzy Bossy (@izzybossy), known for her infectious energy on the deck and lit mixes and have featured artists such as world renowned dancehall singer, Kranium.
3. Piano People @pianopeopleofficial– IG/TikTok
Presented by Ministry of Sound, Piano People, a South African Amapiano genre club event, is one of the coldest motives which unites Amapiano fanatics. With its refreshing and bouncy mixes, it’s a vibe-y event unlike any other. Exploding with South African culture and trending dances. The group performs at festivals such as AfroNation and Carnival every year, when they’re not captivating crowds for monthly parties at venues all across the UK. You need to buy your ticket for their next event, ‘Piano People Presents: Kelvin Momo and Mas Musiq’, accompanied by many DJ acts including, Nicky Summers (@nickysummerss), DUO (@des.uo) and Red Hour (red.hour_). Taking place on 22nd April 2023 at HERE at Outernet!
4. Recess @rec.ess – IG/TikTok
‘The Party of the People’, Recess is a newly emerging, popular event, known for hosting rollerskating parties and park festivals in addition to its usual nightclub setting. Not regular club settings, however, as their parties often have themes: an example being ‘Nollywood Style’, where guests would dress in the theme of Nigerian TV show characters of the early 2000s. Often hosted at Box Park Wembley alongside multiple food stalls and bars, it is also a huge venue, so you’ll have to make sure to not lose your friends and have a strategy of how you move about. Attracting a mixed audience who value African and Caribbean genres such as: Afrobeats, Amapiano, Soca, Bashment and Dancehall .
5. No Signal @theresnosignal – IG/TikTok
No Signal host a string of local parties throughout the year, with young and upcoming DJs engaging with the excited crowd. The events were introduced during lockdown through their ‘10v10’ series on Radio and YouTube. If you missed it, this was a competition between two artists and two sides would pick their best ten songs, then play them against each other, which ever artist got the most votes would win. No Signal’s genres differ per event, however, it is mainly catered to celebrate the black diaspora and its’ culture with ‘house parties’ featuring well known DJs such as Henrie (@henrieviii – presenter for Kiss Fresh) & Scully (@isthatscully – content creator) to set the tone for the night. Their events often take place across London and abroad, including locations such as Amsterdam. But the next event will have a fusion of African and Caribbean sounds, ‘Diaspora Dance: Estilo Palop x Franco Fever’, ‘a duet of francophone and lusophone music’, on the 30th April 2023 at The Steel Yard, London – make sure to cop your tickets for this Sub-Saharan African inspired fest!
6. Moody HiFi @moodyhifi– IG/TikTok
Moody HiFi is a club event which has collaborations and pop up events in different clubs around London. They host parties once or twice a month with a handpicked selection of talented DJs. With these DJs providing and specialising in a wide selection of music, examples include Ella DHC (@elladhc), who is known for her dancehall sets and Freddie XODOS (@freddiebale) who enjoys playing Amapiano selections. However, they don’t forget about the essential genres including: Soca, Bashment, RnB, HipHop and Pop remixes at their parties – so everyone feels included. Their events always have a cool vibe with like minded music lovers, it entices you to go to every event.
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MEAT.
Mayfair clubs lubricate women with free alcohol and free entry.
I cannot help but wonder as women and as a feminist are we degrading or empowering ourselves by getting free entry to elitist Mayfair clubs, alongside unlimited drinks, and access to a promoter’s table – also full of other girls?
These club spaces lubricate females with free drinks and with this false narrative of being ‘VIPs’. Women are pretty much currency to London’s elitist clubs and are sexualised and commodified. All the entry requirements regarding our appearance are shaped to please and satisfy the desires of heterosexual men who are the one’s spending and keeping these clubs open.
My birthday was approaching and I was trying to organise a night out for me and my squad. I usually would not specify the gender of my friends, but it seems that I should make it clear that friends, indeed, are a mix of guys and girls.
I decided to reach out to a promoter I was Instagram friends with, he reached out to me a few months prior, and no doubt my account caught his eye from my “clean profile pic”. Anyway, I explained to him that I wanted to party at Cirque Le Soir to celebrate my 22nd birthday. Whilst he was very eager to host my girls and I, he definitely was not keen on the idea of boys.
He made it clear that if I wanted to “party with a mixed group Cirque Le Soir isn’t suitable Tia.” Disappointed that without paying an extortionate amount, I would not be able to celebrate my birthday with my nearest and dearest, I tried to explain that “they’re no trouble, just party boys.”
Despite making plans to go with just my girls; it just didn’t feel right to bring in another year around the universe without my boys; we ditched the idea.
Though half a year later we tried again. December 2022, my best friend Bella’s 23rd birthday, we had just finished our meal at Sticks at Sushi, London King’s Road, and after lots of sashimi and lychee martinis, we were ready to really get the night started. Despite there being a decent number of local bars and clubs in Chelsea, this night we wanted to go out, out.
I still had contact with this promoter for Mayfair and Central clubs so I dropped him a message.
He was quick to reply, ensuring it was “all ladies, all wearing heels.” This time we were a group of all girls, but one of us was wearing flat boots, not heeled; knowing this didn’t fit the dress code policy, we decided to go with a cheeky white lie that Lola had sprained her ankle.
But it was his next message which made us realise we are worth way more than some free watered-down vodka mixed with orange juice.
The promoter explained that we needed to send over pictures and our Instagram accounts, claiming that it was for the “purpose of recognition” – but that is what IDs are for – clearly this was about our appearance and making sure that we look good enough to qualify for the guest list.
It then clicked that this Mayfair shit was not for us. We wanted to have a carelessly good night, without being commodified. Without being analysed on our surfacing.
It felt awfully degrading and we would rather spend our money and be relaxed at our own table with our own friends, our own drinks.
Looking for some hot and sexy specialist parties in London; whether you are into strippers, BDSM, whips and chains, being dominated, or queer parties; Powder has created an alluring and exciting guide to some of the hottest nightlife London has to offer. We hope this directs you to the perfect venue for you, whatever your fetish or fantasy may be.
But first! Before Powder brings you in on the best kink clubs in London, we want to ensure you approach these spaces in a respectful and safe way.
We spoke to Sex Educator and Ambassador for The Cage. co Veronica Saad to get a better understanding of BDSM, and so we could make sure you guys are physically and mentally prepared before entering the world of BDSM. The cagé.co is a friendly, kink-positive BDSM community, bringing together like-minded people. The Cage. Co is a safe space offering blogs, chat rooms, and events all over the world.
Now let’s get educated, I asked Veronica Saad some questions; starting with the basics.
What is BDSM?
“The acronym stands for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism, and masochism.”
“I think it’s important to note that although BDSM can seem dark and mysterious at its heart, it is all about self-exploration and enjoyment, think of it as play for adults, a way for adults to dive into their fantasies, explore their depths and have fun.”
As a beginner; where would I begin?
“If you are not sure your interests, or how to be involved that’s fine, take your time and feel comfortable.”
“I recommend finding a community that can offer solid information and support. I work for the cage and it really is a great community of thousands of people from all over the world, you can chat with them, and ask questions. And remember that although we have loads of experienced members, many of them are going to be new to it all.”
What are BDSM rules?
“Just like rules in other areas of life, BDSM rules are anything that are expected of someone; rules to do something or rules to not do something. BDSM rules can be sexual but can also be simply practical. They can be for excitement or for general well-being. But most importantly they should be personal to your relationship and be agreed upon by all parties, add value to your dynamic and be enforced and regularly revisited.”
Can you give an example of BDSM rules?
“One example of BDSM rule might be prohibiting a submissive from drinking alcohol during the work week or expecting a submissive to kneel at the door when welcoming you home.”
How does the dominant come up with rules for BDSM:
“The best way is to treat it like a negotiating point with your submissive partner, sit down and have a discussion. Things like ‘what rules would you find hot? What rules do they have the time for? What rules will you be able to enforce?’ But I think the most important thing to consider is what rules are adding to the relationship instead of just becoming busy work.”
“Creating rules will take time and likely evolve as you go along.”
You mentioned that BDSM was for consenting adults only, could you share more on consent and how consent is ensured?
“Consent is integral to BDSM. The basic tenants of sex are the same in the world of kink as they are everywhere else. Your consent is required, you can revoke that consent at any time, and you cannot consent to something you are not fully aware of. Unless discussed, consent is never a given. Just because a dominant is a dominant does not mean they are automatically owed any special treatment.” All interactions even the most basic must be consented to ahead of time.”
What about group events?
“Consent is still required but it may work kind of differently. There are places you may go online or off where certain behaviour is expected. You consent to expected behaviour and protocols by attending or going to the event. But this does not override your ability to say no or leave the space. If any activity is not comfortable, consent can be revoked at any moment.”
Veronica explains that “when people start to enter the world of kink there is a lot of focus to the physical aspects of it: spanking, bondage, chastity, cages and more. Because of this, the mental aspects are something people develop later in their kink journey.”
What are some mental kinks in BDSM?
Mental bondage: “think of mental bondage like the exact bondage you know and love but without the need for any gear. Instead, mental bondage focuses on the bottom obeying a command to stay in place.”
Hypnosis: “In most portrayals a hypnosis professional talks a person into a hypnotic state where they may be more suggestible to ideas or better able to recall previous events. This type of activity can be done with an erotic or kink slant as well. Think orgasms, a deeper headspace, or a deeper immersion into roleplay roles.”
Roleplay: “Playing pretend can be an extremely erotic way to explore your scenes. Especially if you have always had kinks for different scenarios, like maybe prisoner/ guard, doctor/patient, props and gear make it easier to get immersed, but the role-play itself is entirely mental.”
Before we get into London Locations, here are some upcoming Cage. co events:
19/4/23 – ‘Cannabis, intimacy and kink’. This a stimulating and informative class on various ways to include your cannabis consumption with your sex and kink life!
20/4/23 – A dungeon dating event – introduction to impact play and restraints @ Centair Studios Hackney, 256 Hackney Road, London E2 7SJ.
22/4.23 – Unruly – a social for fat people in BDSM – unruly is a space for fat people involved or interested in the kink scene to come together and socialise @ The Hackney Den, Dalston N16B 8BX.
Now for the Locations.
THE BOX:
Entering The Box, brace yourself for the unruly and unknown.
You will never experience the same thing twice at The Box, they do different shows on different nights.
I spoke to four friends who had all experienced a night out at the box on different occasions. Firstly, I spoke to Farah Thorndycraft, (22, Coulsdon).
Farah tells Powder that the night she visited the box “this guy pulls out a dildo from his ass, and it was like covered in blood; it was so gross…then we had someone shaving their willy and their balls on stage like their pubes were going over everyone in the front row.” ”Then they took off their dressing gown and they had like massive tits.”. the show certainly didn’t stop there; Farah then witnessed this guy on stage “who had a load of umm like is dwarfs the right word to use, in gimp suits like attacking this guy, oh it was so weird.”
She ends by letting us know that she feels like her experience “was quite tame to what everyone else had experienced there.”
“Box is brazy” Max Morell, (23, Tooting) tells us; “I saw a lady put different colour paint in her … then squirt it out onto shirts and people were buying the t-shirts”
Finally, Seshi (23, Bristol) adds that his experience at The Box “was pretty mad”. “Basically, this trans person comes on stage and starts doing a strip tease around a toilet. Then they reached into the toilet and started rubbing fake shit on their tits. Then they grabbed a plunger and started fucking their ass with it lol. It was kinda fucked”
TORTURE GARDEN:
Before even bothering to attend a Torture Garden event, please leave any bad attitudes at home
Torture Garden is the biggest and best when it comes to fetish parties, hosting events monthly in London, and also in their franchises worldwide. Make sure you are dressed to impress; don’t be scared to show off some flesh and leather is a must. The underground dungeons are filled with dominatrixes; who are not afraid to give you a whipping if that’s what you’re into.
KLUB VERB OTEN:
Provider of contemporary sex-positive spaces.
“KLUB VERBOTEN launched in 2016 and is a provider of contemporary sex-positive spaces. Provider of contemporary sex-positive spaces. Our roots lie in the spatial, sonic, and visual exploration of BDSM + fetish practices,”
There are rules, safeguarding, and dress codes. Make sure to follow.
KILLING KITTENS
‘Liberating women worldwide, Killing Kittens is a shame-free community for dating, sex ed and so much more (Killing Kittens.com)
“A bold and empowering brand that spoke to sexually adventurous women, men and couples who were looking for more. Killing Kittens famous hedonistic events challenge society’s shameful stigmas around sex. – ‘(https://wearekk.com)
BIZARRE EVENTS – Walthamstow, London
‘Fetish.com’ claims bizarre events organise ‘London’s most extreme fetish sex parties, whether you’re a lover of latex, a fan of flogging or a wet and wild water sports enthusiast”; it seems like bizarre events might be the perfect hosts for you.
Stick Club
Embrace your naughty side, meet like-minded people with the same kinks as you, and party the night away in a safe and sexy place.
It’s no secret that not all club nights are welcoming to everyone. so, maverick organisers are hitting back with niche events catering to intersectional communities, reclaiming the scene. Here’s our round up of the best club events for the queer and ethnic community.
LGBTQ+ and Ethnic communities struggle to find places where they feel welcome and can party and drink without the stress of being othered because of who they are and how they present.
It is rare to find spaces that are controlled and populated by members of the community, when u live within a homophobic, transphobic and racist society (no matter how hidden). Members of the community continuously find themselves casted out from mainstream society and are forced to hide themselves for the sake of their own safety.
Even the clubs that solely exist for the queer communities are either infiltrated by opportunists or demonised by white cis-hetro men, or they exist for the white male gay audience. When your existence is debated and not seen as appropriate dinner talk – by a major proportion of society, there is seldom somewhere to party and for total release.
So, to piss them off and provoke them more so than before, here is a list of the top five LGBTQBIPOC-friendly clubs that have not been infiltrated by white cis-hetero males and are dominated by the queer trans lesbian ethnic members of the community. Here is to having what is seen as taboo fun.
HUNGAMA
This East-London based queer alternative night is putting the south Asian queer scene on the map, mixing Bollywood and clubbing culture into a euphoric blend. A vital pillar in South Asian queer representation in the music scene since 2017, the energy is mad and feels like a home away from home, a perfect place for community and a perfect alternative to the overly white atmosphere that is the mainstream queer club scene. An ultimate celebration of queerness, party and creativity, the venue is always changing so make sure to check out their Instagram for future events.
Gal Pals
Celebrating all things femme, trans and non-binary, Gal Pals nights are held in venues in London and Brighton and is strict about playing music by women, non-binary and trans musicians such as Arca, Kim Petras and Slayyter. what you have is a comfortable and fun experience where you can dance like nobody is watching and enjoy euphoric hedonism without the fear of being preyed on. According to fan Jaqueline Da-Silva, “I don’t feel judged how I present. You would always have at least one person flirting with you which is hilarious.”
JUICE LONDON
Juice London is the black LGBTQ+ party you will want to be at. It’s black-owned and features amazing DJs and music. A spectacular place to find yourself on a night in soho, the organisers run events and parties all year round and continuously uplift and support members of the Black LGBTQ+ communities. This is done most creatively by hosting LGBTBIPOC history events where you can party while learning a thing or two from prominent voices in the community.
LICK
Lick, an event formerly held once a month, is now a fully established venue located under the Vauxhall arches. This is not a place for cisgendered men – they are not allowed to enter. This is an exclusive, safe space reserved for any femmes and non-binary persons, who are finally offered the space to whine up on each other without fear of harassment and bigotry.
PXSSY PALACE
PXSSY PALACE is unapologetic. Screaming queer, with its inclusive club-night themes and all-round vibes, it is the place to be… if you can get tickets. It is always sold out since everyone rushes to attend its events, but for good reason. A haven for all women and femmes of colour to feel liberated and express themselves and their desires to musical backdrop of pure hits, a night at PXSSY PALACE promises to serve as a celebration of all things femme, trans, non-binary, queer and ethnic. Controversially but laughably in our favour, tickets are priced at £20 for LGBTQBIPOC persons, and £112.20 for straight cis-gendered men. Iconic.
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A Slaphead Story
From helping us to express political disenchantment to shattering constraints of the gender binary: 4 reasons why the buzz cut is an understated gift to subcultural Britain.
The hair atop the human head is anthropologically complex.
Culturally, it is one of the only parts of our bodies routinely harvested and altered in many ways for many reasons. For men in the western world, there is a rampant correlation between thickness and desirability: fuller hair signaling virility, and a short, conservative style conveying masculine authority. For women, long length traditionally poses a resource for limitless, intricate expressions of innate femininity.
Bollocks to all that.
While hair is susceptible to the allure of mainstream trends and conventions of styling in dominant culture, it is also something that can unify you with a philosophy or group of people more specifically aligned with who you are. At the same time, it is also completely personal, and a tool that can be used to assert one’s individuality. A style which is arguably overlooked and seen as devoid of character, but is more symbolic and versatile than any other in these respects (especially when thinking about British subculture) is the buzzcut.
Subcultures have been there to subvert the sensibilities of ordinary British society for decades. We have seen those belonging to these political undercurrents surface as ska-worshipping skinheads, punks, post-punks, far right militant groups, and ecstatic androgynous ravers, to name only a few. The slap-head sensation has been there to signify them all – unchanging in its form but always powerful and exact in expressing the attitudes of each subcultural iteration.
Here are four reasons, informed by the stories of three fashionable individuals, why the simple buzzcut remains a timeless and important style for alternative Britain.
For a musical demonstration of the importance of the buzzcut, listen to our Slapheads Soundtrack playlist to explore the prominent genres associated with the style.
Reason 1: Clean Slate for Style Experiments
The bald-but-not-quite simplicity of a buzzcut allows room for maneuver when it comes to experimenting with style. Sihle (she/her), 23, is a woman who enjoys the rich buffet of bygone styles to choose from in the present day, and having a shaved head is a huge part of exploring fashion as a means of expressing herself.
“Shaving my head has helped me to experiment identity-wise,” she says. “After I started shaving my head, I started to experiment with different colours without the fear of frying my hair or messing it up, because I could just buzz it again if I did. I have so many different colours to choose from, and I often like to style my outfits around the colour of my hair.”
The transformative process that Sihle describes in playing with the buzzcut style has a powerful inward effect too. Hair is instrumental in self-actualisation, and this idea is a core belief of Deptford-hair-salon-owner Tuttii (they, them), 34.
“When you go somewhere where the hairdressers actually listen to you, and they capture your vision or create something that really works for you, that can change your life,” Tuttii says. “That’s important to us as a salon, and why we have this space: it’s to transform peoples’ lives through their hair.”
Having been cutting hair since 2014, first from a caravan on the grounds of a disused school in South East London and then in their Deptford salon, Tuttii Fruitti, Tuttii provides a unique space for those who want to harness hair in a way that goes beyond grooming. Calling it “creative hair therapy,” Tuttii understands that the right changes to your style can be as empowering as therapy, and all you need to achieve this radical brand of emancipation is an electric clipper and a brave face.
Having less hair gave me more freedom in actualising every part of who I am.
Sihle, 23
Reason 2: Economically Sensible and Convenient
Perhaps a more tangible benefit of the buzzcut style, one can expect to be saving a lot of time getting ready for a night out and spending a lot less on styling products. Brandon (he/they/them/”it”/”whatever you fancy”) is a 24-year-old enthusiastic partygoer, intent on pushing the boundaries of his identity while navigating the boundless London queer scene. He is thrilled about his slap-head style.
“It’s the cheapest, most cost-effective way to maintain a hairstyle,” notes Brandon. “I can’t afford to be going to the barbers every month!”
By extension, for people of colour, hair density means your locks might take control of you, as explained by Sihle.
“I’m much more comfortable with it being at a shorter length,” Sihle says. “My buzzcut journey started when I turned 21 and I decided to just cut it all off. I was bored – my hair would get tangled because I didn’t take care of it as much as I should’ve. I struggled to maintain it; usually I would just cover it up in wraps or wear it in protective hairstyles like braids and stuff like that – but I just decided I had enough of living like that. I wanted to start my twenty-first year with a different look and different vibe, so I just shaved it.”
Reason 3: Destructive of Gendered Modes of Expression
In the Tuttii Fruitti salon, around 80% of the clientele are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Those who identify as trans, gender-fluid, non-binary and many others with queer identities attend the salon because of its customer-centric approach; they aren’t prescribed conventional, gendered haircuts which don’t represent who they are. While Tuttii provides people a way to express their identity as extremely, artistically and individually as they want, they explain that the fascinating reflexivity of a buzzcut can undermine divisive constructs such as gender by obscuring its definitions and disembodying the concept.
“I love to shave my hair,” Tuttii says. “One of the reasons I love to shave my hair is because it makes me feel masculine. In myself, like in my energy and how I feel inside, I feel like quite a masculine person. I can actualise that feeling by shaving all my hair off. It’s so empowering; it makes me feel strong, and I just love that hard look.
“I think [the buzzcut] works well on everybody – it’s such a powerful look, but so versatile. Someone can shave their hair and it can make them feel really feminine, make them feel like their face looks soft and beautiful.”
Brandon plays upon the style in a similar way. “I shave it now because I feel genderless, I feel ‘cunt.’ Since moving to London, and experimenting with gender a lot more, going to raves and other events, having a shaved head helps me feel genderless. I feel like an alien little cunt and I love it.
“It’s hard to describe the power I feel,” Brandon adds.” It’s like an ephemeral mix of being masculine and feminine, and neither at the same time, and taking control of those distinctions myself.”
I shave my head because I feel genderless, I feel ‘cunt.’ I feel like an alien little cunt and I love it.
Brandon, 24
Reason 4: Powerful Symbolic and Cultural Versatility
Subcultural Britain has seen the buzzcut reappropriated, hijacked and weaponised as protest many times over the late twentieth century. Arguably, the trend began in East London in the 1960s, when Traditional Skinheads – contemporaneous, working-class bastions of reggae music – would don the style to mimic prominent West-Indian artists. Evolving from there as a symbol of subordination, the variety of ideologies the style signifies leaves it open to symbolic interpretation.
Tuttii explains: “The main thing is that every hairstyle is connected to an image. When people see someone with a shaved head and they’re walking down the street, a lot of people think that they’re hard or could be a troublemaker or something like that, because of the reputation skinheads have had.”
“A certain choice of style does not always mean someone wants to express a feeling synonymous to that image. It all just depends on how you feel. That’s the beauty of a good haircut.”
The working-class associations of the buzzcut style form an intersection with gay culture, according to Brandon.
“Trigger Films, a gay porn studio from the mid-2000s used to film a lot of films called “Scally,” which is working class men in the chavvy look, tracksuits, skinhead hairstyle, shooting porn. I want to emulate that style. “Of course, I’m definitely on the [left-wing side of skinheads], like northern soul. On the flip side, I love gabba music, like shell-suits and tracksuits and frap-core. I don’t know to be honest, I’m spoiled for choice!”
Aside from political inclination, the buzzcut is a style that can help someone connect with their heritage culture. Sihle asserts that “hair can showcase peoples’ creativity and personality, especially in the black community. There’s a variety of fun hairstyles connected to black culture that not only represents it but helps people stand out and reveal their personalities.”
“In terms of the buzzcut, shaving my head helped me to become comfortable with having my natural hair too,” Sihle adds. “Having less hair gave me more freedom in actualising every part of who I am.”
A young man moves from middle England to London to exact his queer identity, as before unexplored and left unexpressed. From his job behind the bar of an underground gay sex club in Soho, he observes the unrelenting promiscuity of the circuit, and a dissolution of the conventions of propriety upheld by the world above. As told to Tom Sale by an honest, anonymous source.
“I come from a town a two-hour drive to the north-east of the London metropolis. The two places are wildly different.
My hometown, in my view as a 24-year-old gay man with a wealth of intimate experience with those of the same persuasion, is incredibly straight. It’s the same no matter where you go; bland sports bars are ubiquitous and uninventive clubs are complacent with their playlists of soulless chart-toppers. Men in tight jeans with sleeve tattoos and skin-fade haircuts brandish white-wine spritzers at the nearest women with filler in their lips and a nice top. I could go tonight and it’d be the exact same experience I had there when I started clubbing six or seven years ago. The queer community was non-existent in my homestead in middle England, so I escaped to the capital when I was 22. I wanted to be somewhere where my differences did not make me a conspicuous target for ridicule, which was often the case for those in the queer community back home.
It always felt weird to me that a place so close to my home could be so different. London is not like the rest of the country. All it took for me was a two-hour train ride to land in its vibrant cultural epicentre, its party landscape of illegal raves in dangerous disused buildings, artists questioning their understanding of the world and expressing their disdain for it through their work, and a population made of those from every country and culture in the world.
I had two years of settling in and finding myself before getting the job at that bar in Soho. By then, I had become confident and established in my queerness, strong in stomach and well-acquainted with a thirst for adventure. Every day, I clock in and brace myself, donned in a uniform of skimpy, strappy black leather, with my flesh dripping in enough chunky piercings to pick up a radio signal. This job is not for everyone.
The bar, and the club space it’s nestled in, is drenched in sleazy hot-pink-coloured light. Low ceilings and backlit upholstery tucks everyone in. There is not much room to spread out, so the patrons turn to each other and exchange prolonged, wet kisses and invasive grapplings of their partners’ bodies, hours before any mention of a name. Publicly displayed penetrative intercourse always follows. The bar I am grateful for as a barrier from the mess of writhing intimacies I see before me is smaller than you would think, and not really an essential part of the club. I see myself less as a bartender and more as a mediator, a keeper of peace and caretaker of the space to safeguard the visitors against themselves should their energetic, sticky fumbles get out of hand (as they often do).
There is nothing more honest than nicknaming yourself ‘toilet’.
As you can imagine, the smell is a potent cocktail mix of old leather, alcohol, sperm and other bodily fluids. The club is always hot, the jungle-drum soundtrack of repetitive beats against a camp and flamboyant melody intoxicating. These men have no inhibitions; they are not at home, yet they are allowed to engage in the most private of acts in front of a crowd of enthusiastic, voyeuristic perverts. They are enraptured, liberated, penetrated and abused by strangers, all by their own request. The only strict rule governing the patrons of the club is that consent comes before anything they do; the rest of the decision-making is up to them.
For me, this rich tapestry reveals a human addiction to hedonism and its pursuit. Queer sex, although thankfully legal for decades, still exists and is only practised in its fullest extent underground, away from the eyes of the world. On the face of it (and judging by what I see in this club as I cower behind the bar), that seems like a good thing. Anal fisting and scat play are shocking and graphic, but there’s a whole culture hidden from the world above – a world that keeps this one on the fringe, incompatible in its deviance and marginalised in philosophy. While queer visibility is on the rise, the radicalism of what it means to be queer becomes white-washed. Gay marriage and adoption, in my opinion, don’t represent equality but assimilation. The nuclear family structure as a neat unit of social organisation appropriated by many gay couples as rite does not reflect the senseless polygamy, sexual anonymity and flagrant disregard for conventions of the male/female binary I see in front of me. I want to see more space and the comfort of normality afforded to these individuals, rather than watching them adapt to tradition in a bid for acceptance.
This perspective is most impressive for someone who, while working, came face to face with a man getting fucked doggy-style while mopping up someone else’s sperm. Yet I’ve learned to tell the difference between what is real about human desire and what is taught to us: there is nothing more honest than nicknaming yourself ‘toilet’, walking naked around a public place and letting someone shit on you in front of an audience, that’s for sure.”
