All About 'She' - the next women's venue in Soho opens

The highly anticipated opening of new Ku venue 'She' happens tonight. The queue is already round the corner. 

It's the first women's venue with an entrance on the iconic (and infamous?) Old Compton Street.

Yes, it is another basement venue for women, and no it most definitely isn't 'Candy 2'.

The owners and managers have done a very successful and elegant job of shedding the basement feel, the former decor, and the Candy feel to create a new welcoming and relaxed bar space.

A complete renovation including a new layout, complete with DJ booth, a separated quiet space ideal for "talking", and a mature take on interior design gives something new to offer for women who perhaps have felt in recent years there wasn't a venue for them.


Some of the successful events from Candy's final 6 month incarnation, under the helm of events Promoter DJ Amy B, who is staying on at the new venue, are transitioning over including Boi Box, Laughing Labia and Chick Habit. New events include femme for femme speed dating hosted by Pink Lobster (begins on Valentines night!) and an over 25s night on the last Friday of each month. 
  
Listings will always be available on the Planet London events calendar, and you will be the first to know about special events and headline acts.



A range of new DJs including DJ Hazel and DJ Gem Precious will take to the decks on regular nights.

She Soho is open every day from 4pm. 
Full details about the venue are here.


By Katie

SHE's Coming...

Venue: SHE SOHO

Address: 23a Old Compton Street, London, W1S 5LB
Opening times: Daily from 4pm (details below)
When: Opening Night Friday 31 Jan 2014
Further info: 

• www.facebook.com/she-soho;
• www.she-soho.com
• @SHE-SOHO 
• Listings on Planet London Calendar 

SHE Bar Soho brings you the first EVER lesbian bar on the main strip of Old Compton Street. This is one of the world’s biggest gay districts and is in the heart of London. Nestled in between iconic venues like Soho House & GAY Bar we cannot wait to be part of the neighbourhood.

A modern space for ladies and their male guests, SHE bar will be a great space to chill after work with your girlfriends, have a laugh with your mates or for taking that special someone for a quiet drink. 

With DJ’s FRI – SAT and tons of events throughout the week there’s something here for all you ladies. From comedy – to live gigs.

SHE will be hosting some of Soho’s already much loved nights as well as bringing you lots of new and refreshing events.

It will be a hub for meeting new people and ensure to be a venue that is welcoming and friendly. 

SHE is part of the award-winning brand KU so with this trusted brand you know that you will get service and an evening you will not forget. 

This venue is led and run by experienced all-female staff that wants to give you the venue you deserve and will strive to keep regular events that cater for all: from over 25 nights to dating services they will welcome everyone. 

Open daily from 4pm,SHE will have a classy, extensive cocktail list, and well-sourced wines and spirits. You can even get a hot drink in the brother bar, KU, above. 

This venue is expected to surprise and impress you. Not just another a basement, there are plenty of areas with comfy seating to chill and a dance floor smack bang in the centre.  A venue not to be over looked.

Open daily

Monday -Thursday-- 4pm-11.30pm

Friday- Saturday- 3pm-12.30am

Sunday-3pm- 10.30pm

General info- info@she-soho.com

Events/PR/Promotions- amy@she-soho.com

Jobs- jobs@she-soho.com

A new venue for lesbians in Soho - it's coming!

We popped in for a quick chat with Gary Henshaw, current owner of the Candy Bar that will close in January, which Henshaw describes as the "End of an era". All the current events on the regular Candy schedule will have one last blast throughout January until the venue closes, including big plans for New Years Eve.

The new evening venue in Soho for lesbians will open in mid January. It is going to be like nothing we've had before - bringing the best of the current scene taste of lesbian, bi and queer women to Soho. Whilst running in the basement space of Ku Bar Frith Street, the space is being completely remodelled, and will be designed to incorporate existing (and new) events from the old Candy venue. 

There will be take over nights, where big events will use the whole of the Ku Bar Frith Street space and incorporate a 3am venue.

Ku Bar Frith Street will stay open as a mixed LGBT day time cafe-style venue.

Henshaw is committed to maintaining a women's venue and women's events. Ruby Tuesday's has run successfully at Ku Bar for ten years and there is a commitment to uphold what women want. The new venue will continue to offer free space to LGBT community and not-for-profit groups for meetings and socials.

Share your ideas of the best ever lesbian, bi & queer venue with us below!

As One In The Park 2013, a new LGBT festival for London

 

What: As One in the Park Festival 2013
When: Sunday 26 May
Time: 12pm - 10pm
Where: Victoria Park, Hackney, London E9 7DB
Tickets: £40 (£35 early bird sold out) and limited £75 VIP tickets

---

When I first moved to London over 10 years ago now, I used to go along to Finsbury Park to the Big Gay Out. For years now, there has been nothing like it, and I, as well as many of my friends have certainly noticed this. London, such a gay-friendly hub is definitely lacking. Thankfully, Orange Nation have got together with Saturn Star, and in May 2013 will be hosting 'As One in the Park'.

The list of names just keeps on growing. So far announced are:

RITA ORA

CONOR MAYNARD

KATY B

UNION J

SKIN (DJ SET)

RYLAN

OFFER NISSIM

BOY GEORGE & MARK VEDO

PEYTON

+

VERY SPECIAL GUEST:

HOLLY JOHNSON

+

MORE LIVE ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

OVER 100 ARTISTS, BRANDS & DJS, OVER 9 ARENAS

As One in the Park will be held in Victoria Park, in Hackney (E9 7DB - nearest tube/train is Mile End) on Sunday 26 May (Bank Holiday weekend).

Presented by Orange Nation, As One In The Park will be the first credible large-scale gay festival in London for over a decade, putting the capital in line with other major European cities.


Victoria Park is firmly established as a prime festival site, already playing host to events including Field Day. As One In The Park is the day after Field Day and will be using their infrastructure and production crew.

There are plenty of transport options available:
Bus Routes: 8, 277, 309, 339, 388, D3, D6, S2
Hackney Wick (East London line), Cambridge Heath (National Rail) and Bethnal Green (National Rail)
Mile End (District and Central lines), Bow Road (District Line), Stratford (Jubilee Line), Bow Church (DLR) and Bethnal Green (Central line).

What to expect?
There will also be 4 large indoor arenas and 5 additional stages, which will be hosted by some of the world’s leading gay party brands. The Circuit Arena will be presented by international circuit parties, Matinee, WE Party, The Week, Scream, and Rapido, while the Best Of British Arena will be hosted by Beyond, Orange, and Salvation. Other brands involved in the event will be Delooded, Shadow Lounge, Popstarz, Bearracuda, Madame Jojo’s, FNDHRR, Girl Action, L Fest, Mint, Code, Ku Bar, Rupert Street and Comptons with more to be announced.


Tickets are available from the website. A limited number of exclusive VIP Tickets are available.

VIP ticket benefits include:
FAST TRACK ENTRY |  COMPLEMENTARY GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE |  ENTRY TO SHADOW LOUNGE EXCLUSIVE VIP VILLAGE (behind the Main Stage) |  VIP BAR |
TABLE SERVICE |  PREMIUM SPIRITS |  VIP TOILETS

Tickets to As One in the Park are only available to those aged 18 and over as this is a licensed event.


There is a detailed FAQ section on the website that covers everything from accessibility to what not to bring, what is allowed, re-entry, facilities and more.  http://www.asoneinthepark.co.uk/contact.html

About Orange Nation
For those of you who haven't heard of Orange Nation, and are wondering who they are, here is a bit of history:

The Orange Nation is the UK’s largest gay promotions company. ON is a collective of LGBT club promoters who operate large internationally renowned parties including Beyond, We Party and Matinee in venues across London including Electric Brixton and The Coronet Theatre. ON also owns South London based nightclub venues Fire, The Lightbox, Area, Protocol and Covert.

ON has a strong history within the LGBT London community as the leading nightlife promotions group and has been featured to represent London’s dance scene at events including London Pride (host of the Soho Square Dance Stage) and to represent the UK internationally at events including Barcelona Circuit Festival and at cities including Paris, Ibiza, Rome and more.

Find out more, following As One on Twitter or Facebook or buy your tickets before they sell out!

Website: http://www.asoneinthepark.co.uk
Twitter https://twitter.com/AsOneInThePark
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AsOneInThePark?fref=ts

Feature by Naomi Bennett-Hall

Websites: Exclusive Pride - exotic destinations for lesbian and gay travellers

New travel website - Exclusively Pride

Exotic destinations for gay and lesbian travellers.

Planet London attended the launch event for Exclusively Pride at Ku Bar on Thursday 27 October 2011.

Exclusively Pride is a new web based travel service offering gay holiday makers and travellers something different – a safe, tailor made holiday or travel experience without being confined to the usual gay resort hotspots such as Gran Canaria.

Specialising in Exotic and luxury travel, Exclusively Pride aims to meet your needs – by finding what you want, and using their expert knowledge to ensure you find those “hidden gems”. You will receive advice and support on how to stay safe as a gay traveller and information on how gay friendly particular countries are using the Exclusively Pride star rating.

Top destinations currently offered by the company include Southern and East Africa, India and paradise honeymoon getaways.

We spoke to owner, Gerla Pusey-de Boer, about where the idea came from to set up the service. Dutch born Gerla has always travelled throughout her adult life, and has worked internationally, in cities such as Cape Town, in the travel and retail industries. After years in the food retail industry, Gerla realised that travel was an industry she wanted to explore. 

Three years ago, there wasn’t much of an interest in tailored, luxury travelling, but recently the interest has picked up, in particular with gay clientale. From there, Gerla realised that there may be more gay people wanting to travel to exotic destinations but who felt unsure of the safety issues and who would avoid some fantastic destinations because of lack of information or bespoke travel arrangements that could provide a unique holiday experience. 

The idea is the people can choose a holiday of their own making and Gerla will co-ordinate the logistical arrangements, working with trusted suppliers and negotiating friendly rates for lesbian and gay travellers. The focus is on responsible travelling – learning about real communities through experienced local guides, who we are assured, leave the travellers “in good hands”.

The site offers inspiration for those who do not know what they want, based on Gerla’s own travel expertise. Gerla is truly passionate about travel, and wants to share that with those who might not normally go down the luxury/bespoke travel route with some real ‘out of the box’ thinking at the planning stage.

Photos sourced from Exclusively Pride Facebook page

Review by Katie