It’s time to share our favourite safe spaces for queer clubbing in the capital
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM
Looking for a queer night out on the town in London that is specifically catered for women may seem like a difficult challenge when the only dedicated lesbian bar is She Soho.
But don’t you worry – there’s a growing number of club nights providing safe spaces for queer women and they are thriving.
Sadly, these lez/bi nights all seem to be London based (please can the rest of the UK try harder?!) but it’s a good place to start. The club scene for queer women is only getting bigger and better and there’s a lotta queer fun to be had.
Murder On Zidane’s Floor
Have you ever heard a better football pun? We think not.
Murder On Zidane’s Floor is a quarterly club night run by female and non-binary footballers which takes place The Yard Theatre – a well-known queer spot in London.
Everyone is welcome here and all proceeds from the night go to non-profit football club, Goal Diggers FC, who are committed to making football accessible, affordable and inclusive to women and non-binary people.
What She Said Club
This one isn’t specifically a night out, but it’s a night in Manchester where queer women come together for some pretty cool events. It’s a great one if you’re not really into drinking too much or the clubbing scene.
They’ve hosted various gigs where the likes of Lots Holloway, Jess Kemp and Zoe McVeigh have performed. What She Said sounds like the perfect space to meet some queer gals without the pressure of a club environment and away from the dating apps.
Lick Events
For Womxn, by Womxn. Run by Teddy Edwardes (who you might remember from our 25th anniversary cover) Lick Events are strictly for womxn and non-binary people.
It’s a queer night out x100 with a bi-monthly event including fire-breathing, twerking and pole dancing to all of your fave hip hop tunes.
BBZ
The BBZ duo are throwing some of London’s best parties for queer people of colour.
At its core, BBZ is an inclusive place for lifting up women and female-identifying people of colour and it’s changing the face of London’s queer club scene one event at a time.
Pxssy Palace
It’s not a list about queer club nights if you don’t include Pxssy Palace.
For queer womxn, non-binary and trans people of colour, this is an event that loves a theme. From “Neon Drip” to “Faggamuffin” they’ve got it all covered.
But there’s no pressure to stick to the theme – everyone is welcome here.
You can read more about Pxssy Palace in the Why We Love section of DIVA’s October issue btw.
Femmi-Erect
Femmi-Errect is a new club night that celebrates the femme identity at the one and only Dalston Superstore. This club night showcases music exclusively made by women and queer people, including the likes of Princess Nokia and Mykki Blanco.
Gal Pals
Gal Pals is a queer dance party for womxn, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people & their pals, playing all the queer bangers you can think of.
It was created a few years ago to address the lack of safe spaces for queer women and those from marginalised gender identities. They hold regular club nights split between Brighton and East London.
They’re also turning four this month – make sure you wish them happy birthday!
Aphrodyki
London’s only Ancient Greek night for queer women, trans or non-binary babes. Playing only the goddesses of RnB and pop – from Diana Ross to Beyoncé.
This Ancient Greek-themed party even made a cheeky appearance in Desiree Akhavan’s TV show The Bisexual, so it must be pretty great.
Butch, Please
A night for lesbians and their friends of all genders. For Butch Muthers and Baby Dykes alike.
Butch, Please is held bi-monthly at the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern and it’s a celebration of butch lesbian subculture – a rare haven for those trying to exist in our harsh world of gender binaries.
Bring your big dyke energy. It’s on a Thursday but you it’s the perfect excuse to call in sick the next day – we won’t tell anyone.
Nite Dykez
Nite Dykez is a monthly night taking place at Dalston Superstore. It’s headed by DJs Gin and Mica Coca who offer some eclectic and fun-filled sets. It’s a space that was born out of wanting more from the queer women’s nightlife scene and it prioritises people of colour, women, trans and non-binary people.
Only reading DIVA online? You’re missing out. For more news, reviews and commentary, check out the latest issue. It’s pretty badass, if we do say so ourselves.
