July Nightlife: London, England

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Below are Greg's July picks for London, England

by Greg Lowe
gay.com depechemoroder
venividivictuals.blogspot.com

This month's focus is exclusively on the borough of Hackney. Quickly becoming London's trendiest spot, Dalston and the E8 postcode make their grand entrance with the opening of the Dalston Superstore. Close by is the London Fields (E2/E8) area and Stoke Newington (N16). This is surely the nexus of London's alternative gay scene.

Dalston Superstore

Only open since April, the Dalston Superstore is already becoming one of the edgiest spots in London. The Superstore, as it is affectionately called, isn't officially gay, but the clientele definitely leans that way. Expect a mix of fashion professionals, artists, scenesters, and locals in one of the most Berlinesque venues in London - changing art exhibitions, rough concrete and a DIY approach. Sundays have included drags queens that were a cross between Jack Sparrow and the Golden Girls, armed with huge cans of Aquanet Hairspray in their 'salon'. Music ranges from Dionne Warwick to Giorgio Moroder, with electro and techno in the basement.

117 Kingsland Road
London, E8 2PB

Gutterslut

A (roughly) monthly party hosted by the Daslton Gay Mafia, Gutterslut is held in perhaps the most surreal club environment around. A friendly and creative mix of trannies, fashion designers, and random passers by, Gutterslut is where fashion terrorism meets cutting edge electronic music. The code is dress to distress, so have fun - you can find everything from Breakfast Club inspired outfits, to leather, to garish white suits. The best part? The venue is a dodgy straight strip club called Images, complete with mirrors, neon, and a stripper pole. When Gutterslut is on, however, the strippers get behind the bar (clothed of course) and the venue becomes Hustler meets postmodern gay fashion night. Don't even bother arriving before midnight.

Gutterslut @ Images
483 Hackney Road
London, E2 9ED

The Joiners Arms

When the George and Dragon closes (around midnight), everyone heads to the Joiners. The venue is a pub gone club, but pretty laid back with stark kitschy décor. The music varies, but includes everything from early 90s, minimal techno, standard circuit house, to a completely off the wall mix. The crowd, however, is what makes the Joiners special. It is perhaps one of the most diverse gay crowds anywhere - people of all ethnicities and income groups mingle together. There is definitely the East End creative mafia in decent numbers, but it is not a purely hipster bar. On an especially jovial evening, the pool table sometimes morphs into a dancing block. As of late it gets very crowded, so try and arrive before midnight to avoid the queues.

116-118 Hackney Road
London, E2 7QL

Stoke Newington Farmer's Market

Are you a locavore that fancies a bite after your long evening out? Just north of Dalston is Stoke Newington, a lovely 19th century neighbourhood that is the centre of London's lesbian and leftist communities. Think of it as the Berkeley of London. Every Saturday morning a local organisation called Growing Communities puts on the Stoke Newington Farmer's Market. It is the only all-organic weekly farmers market in the UK. There are a variety of stalls selling delicious locally grown produce as well as delicious fishcakes, breakfast sandwiches, and Indian delicacies. Organic beer and fruit wine are also on offer for those who wish to recharge.

Stoke Newington Farmers Market @ William Patten Primary School
Stoke Newington Church Street
London, N16 0NX

Stoke Newington International Airport

Sadly the Shunt, reviewed just last month, will be closing sometime in August. The good news is that one of the promoters has started a more intimate venue strangely called The Stoke Newington International Airport. Held in an old warehouse off a residential street in Stoke Newington, STK (as it is promoted) is certainly not your average club. It does, however, attract an excellent mixed crowd and good local musicians. There is always a range of performance artists showing throughout the evening. To top it off, a lovely 'flight attendant' will guide you through your evening. Drinks are dirt-cheap and the décor is Marcel Duchamp in World War I air hangar. The Saturday Stopover in the best night for a flight.

1-15 Leswin Place
London, N16 7NJ
www.stkinternational.co.uk

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