0003
"my shirts tend to be a bit more statement... It helps as an icebreaker, to stand out, attract conversation, and show off my chest and chest hair because it attracts a certain person."
Place of residence: London E2, SE2
Venues visited: Admiral Duncan, Comptons of Soho, Duke of Wellington, Freedom, Halfway to Heaven, Heaven / G-A-Y, Ku Soho, Rupert Street, The Kings Arms, Village, Eagle, Fire / Lightbox, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Cock Tavern
Dressing up to go out:
West End - Depends on the weather, mostly in summer shorts and a shirt, not too casual but a bit between formal and semi-casual, with shorts. West End venues often have the possibility to stand outside.
Cock Tavern - Trouser and shirt, the vibe is a bit more dressed up; my shirts tend to be a bit more statement with a print. It helps as an icebreaker, to stand out, attract conversation, and show off my chest and chest hair because it attracts a certain person. I always wear a silver chain & watch because that's my preference, no religious or cultural significance.
"Sometimes you see single/horny/shy people in venues scrolling through dating apps to initiate conversation with others in the same space!'"
Choices of venues:
I prefer to go to places that have a certain type of people and music that I prefer. I'm not interested in younger guys, or guys around my age, so I avoid going to certain places because they tend to not be the crowd I want to be around (eg. G-A-Y Bar, G-A-Y Late).
Choice of venue might also depend on the purpose, if you are single, or maybe going out with friends as a group - so in that context you might not be so focused on attracting attention from others there. Sometimes you see single/horny/shy people in venues scrolling through dating apps to initiate conversation with others in the same space!
Music is a key aspect, for example Cock Tavern music was shit one night, so I walked out and haven't been back since. Once a month over 600 people come to Roast at Electroworkz near Angel station. it attracts a lot of crowds because the music is really good, and there is a dark room - it's becoming more popular, people from Europe are coming to London to attend that. It has 3-4 DJ rooms. Roast is more 'bear' crowd, mixed ages, but no twinks - average age about 45-50; t-shirts and shorts, harness, topless, some leather, very casual, vest/sleeveless tops. Even themed events don't necessarily mean everyone dresses accordingly, some just come in their regular attire.