Bridging the gap in women's events in SW

Announcing a new club night in Clapham for women following the success of Bridge Girls
Bridge Girls leapt onto the scene a few months ago and was an instant hit. After all; it makes sense to have a women's event in South West London; and Clapham is a gay hub - I'm not really sure why it has taken so long; but here it is at last!

If you haven't heard of Bridge Girls, you can read our recent review here to get a flavour of what you've missed.
 

Hosted by G4P, Bridge Girls was a weekly Thursday night event for girls who like girls. The event was sponsored by Gay Lawyers and took place at The Bridge Wine Bar. It stopped running in April following the launch of monthly event, Bridge Girls Late.

Where: The Bridge Wine Bar, 8 Voltaire Road, Clapham SW4 6DH
Price: Free
What to expect: cheap drinks (£5 cocktails!), good tunes, lots of women
 
Following the huge success of this event G4P are launching a new monthly club night, also in Clapham.


Introducing Bridge Girls Late, every 1st Friday at Zahra Bar – Del’ Aziz from 8pm to 2am

Planet London are proud to announce that we will be sponsoring this new event. We are working with G4P to help promote this event, and to also reward women for their loyalty. In addition to some goodies to give away; we are also working with Bridge Girls Late to provide a loyalty card via our My Pocket Planet app (available on Android and iPhone).

Bridge Girls Late is launching with DJ Izzy Trixx (Code, MissFit) and DJ Claire Chalmers (Bijou)

Like Bridge Girls, you can expect cheap drinks with sexy bar staff and a cloak room is also available.

Free tickets for the launch of Bridge Girls Late will be given away at Bridge Girls on Thursday nights. For your chance to get a free ticket; don't miss Bridge Girls on Thursdays!

Where: The Pavement, Clapham Old Town, Clapham, SW4 0JQ
Price: £5 on the door. £4 advanced tickets

Tickets to Bridge Girls Late are available from G4P website or you can buy them from The Bridge Wine Bar in Clapham during opening hours.

Feature by Naomi
 
 

Something to Pout About - 4th Birthday and a new venue!

Venue: Yager Bar, 2-3 Old Change Court, Peters Hill, London EC4M 8EN

Tickets: £5 guest list in advance; £7 before 10pm; £10 after. www.theglassbar.org.uk/id1.html

Timing: 8pm to 2am 

Photos of Pout's 4th Birthday:

---

POUT is back with a-vengeance for it's 4th Birthday, making it one of the most established club nights around for lesbians and bi women in London.

This month it takes place in it's new venue, the laid-back Yager Bar. Drinks are average for London. There are sexy seating areas, and a large capacity, a bar area, mezzanine dance floor and smoking balcony - meaning it's a great space to hold this buzzing event.

Popular DJ's Jo Bunny (9pm-11pm), Ritu (11pm-1am) and Shady Lady (1am-2am) play a mix of feel good music: Disco, funk, soul, pop dance, 90s club house - something for all tastes and guaranteed to keep you on the dance floor all night. 

The birthday party celebration is about the friends we have made, the laughter had and the fact events like POUT represents all that is good about being able to meet other wonderful gay women.

POUT is run by Elaine McKenzie, known throughout the London scene as the creator of the Glass bar. Elaine continues to run Glass Bar events for the community because she wants to "provide a variety of choice for women to come out and play and interact, extend their friendship circle. It's about a space with no stereotypes." 

Following a short break to take a time out and reflect over the summer (with a book and the radio and family), Elaine is back with a bang, refreshed and raring to go. She appreciates all the positive feedback she's had from Glass Bar fans over the summer, and especially her National Diversity Award Nomination. She was a runner up in the 2013 NDAs this year. The Glass Bar itself turns 18 this year. More reasons to celebrate at POUT.

NB: Yager Bar has a strict door entry policy so when coming to POUT you must, must have photographic ID to enter the Yager Bar. This is a condition on their drinks license.

 

Not just Lounging About - the REBIRTH of LOUNGE!

Yes, it's true LOUNGE is making it's return to London on November 30th at Voltaire in Central London. 

Lounge, run by scene legend Christine Townsend ended in 2012 because of a number of factors. One of the Lounge crew was lost to cancer which understandably affected the rest of the team's party spirit. 

The evolving scene meant the event changed - it lost some of it's original atmosphere and the venue wasn't creating the special vibe the organisers wanted, so they decided to stop.

There is a real challenge to running a successful club night for lesbians an bi women, it's not easy, it's hard work to make it work and make it a night women want to attend and not many people really understand that. Also, the tastes of women that go out on the scene have changed since 2001 when Lounge started - it's good to change things up, take stock and be able to respond to that.

Townsend mentions the space that lesbians and bi women need for socialising has also changed - it's less about a segregation and more about a celebration if les/bi taste.

Unsurprisingly Lounge regulars were disappointed that the event had ended. For Townsend it was a 'period of mourning' as she genuinely thought there would never be another Lounge event. However she needed to give time to other business projects in the pipeline.

Townsend wants Lounge to return. She knows people have missed Lounge, she knows people may want something different from the event. She's heard through the grapevine about all the connections Lounge gave the women that went along (turned into weddings and babies!). There's an appreciation that Lounge allowed lesbian and bi women's events to feel a bit of glamour rather than the stereotyped dank basement affair.

It's back now because it's wanted, because the time is ripe for the music the organisers want to play (soul, disco, hip hop and funk) and because digital media allows an opportunity to grow and promote the event.

Most importantly, the venue Voltaire was the key ingredient inspiring the rebirth. Townsend describes it as 'fabulous' with 'wow factor'. There's a separate entrance, secluded and heated smoking area, sophisticated decor, and a great sound system. Plus lovely staff and a sense of sauciness. There are vaults for privacy and snuggling. And there are cocktails.

Currently, there's only one date - November 30 - on the horizon but if it's a success it could lead to more. There's a lot of pressure on event organisers to pay an upfront hire fee and a minimum bar spend. If these aren't met the organiser is liable. If these figures don't satisfy the venue, they will quickly replace one event with the next.

Guests can expect a stylish event that shies away from drinks offers and cheesy chart music. Lounge is going to have it's own identity through its music and venue. A cool vibe, that does not alienate people - for women who want to have a good, sophisticated time.

Where: Voltaire, 19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB 
When: Saturday 30th November from 8pm Who: Sophisticated, discerning and gorgeous ladies and their devilishly handsome boys Door: Very limited £5 in advance tickets, otherwise £10 on the door Music: Classic disco, soulful house, retro grooves and ironic anthems
Tickets: £5 in advance, £10 on the door.
More info: www.welovelounge.co.uk;
https://www.facebook.com/LoungeLondon

Spotify playlist Lounge Rebirth

Twitter: @L_ounge / @ceetownsend