The Black Cap, one of London’s most iconic gay bars, has officially reopened after an 11-year closure, marking a significant moment for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Often referred to as the „Palladium of Drag,“ The Black Cap has been a cornerstone of Camden’s nightlife since the 1950s, showcasing a variety of cabaret and drag performances.
Alex Green, a long-time patron since the 1980s, played a pivotal role in the campaign to revive the venue. He organized weekly vigils outside the bar following its abrupt closure in 2015, which he described as a devastating loss for the community. „We had already seen a series of gay bars and spaces disappear. This was just the final straw,“ he stated.
„These walls protected us before it was legal to be homosexual in 1967. We don’t have a lot of these places left,“ Green added.
The Black Cap has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous drag legends, including Danny La Rue, Mrs. Shufflewick, Regina Fong, and Paul O’Grady’s alter ego, Lily Savage, who frequently performed there in the 1970s and 1980s.
In a gesture honoring the legacy of O’Grady, his widower, Andre Portasio, has lent several artifacts from the performer’s career to the newly established Lily’s Bar within the venue.
New Management and Features
Rafa Motycki, the new general manager of The Black Cap, expressed his commitment to honoring the venue’s rich history. „It’s a tribute to her and all the wonderful and influential artists. There are so many youngsters going through some rough times, and we just want to say, ‘Hey, we got you,’“ he remarked.
The upstairs bar has been renamed Shufflewicks in tribute to Mrs. Shufflewick, a beloved performer from the 1960s and 1970s. Additionally, the Regina Fong Terrace, described by its owners as a suntrap, will also make a return.
Vixon Herts, a performer at The Black Cap during the 1980s and 1990s, reflected on the venue’s significance in his life. „It was everything to me for 30 years. I first visited when I was 15—naughty, I know—but I was just hooked. The atmosphere was wonderful, and the sense of chosen family was so special,“ he shared.
A Bright Future for Drag and Cabaret
The venue’s new owners, LT Management, have invested £2 million to restore The Black Cap to its former glory. Green from the #WeAreTheBlackCap campaign group praised the owners for their respect and consideration for the community’s desires, stating, „To see the respect the owners have given us and the community is incredible. These guys have really listened to what we want.“
A survey conducted by the campaign group revealed the community’s preferences, which are reflected in the venue’s decor and features that have been preserved and restored. The reopening, scheduled for Saturday, aims to reestablish The Black Cap as a vibrant hub for live entertainment, drag, and cabaret.
Among the acts slated to perform in the coming months are:
- Me The Drag Queen, known for their flamboyant style and impressive lip-sync performances.
- Baga Chipz, a well-known drag queen and television personality from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
- Sophia Stardust, recognized for her high-energy comedic performances.
- Tiana Biscuit, a singer and drag performer celebrated for her musical theatre flair.
- Anita Fag, a live entertainer from Swansea.
Me The Drag Queen, who began his career at The Black Cap, will headline the opening night. „I was here the night that it closed, dancing on the bar to ‚Like a Prayer‘ by Madonna before they kicked us out. So to be back 11 years later and host the opening night feels very full circle,“ he remarked.
Green expressed his vision for The Black Cap, stating, „I want it to put on the best drag and be a schoolground and a place where people can come and learn their craft and be respected for it.“
The reopening of The Black Cap stands in stark contrast to a troubling trend, as more than half of London’s LGBTQ+ venues have closed between 2006 and 2022, according to the Greater London Authority. The number of such venues has dwindled from 125 to just 50, with rising rents and shifting social habits cited as contributing factors to these closures.
Bildquelle: ai-generated-gemini
