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"On a night out, I like to be able to wear comfortable clothes. Because I value speaking to my friends so much when I go out, my ideal night out reflects the kind of 'lounge wear' outfit you would wear with your mates in your living room."
Place of residence: London E8, N1, N16, W1
Venues visited: Admiral Duncan, Comptons of Soho, Duke of Wellington, Freedom, Friendly Society, G-A-Y Bar, G-A-Y Late, Halfway to Heaven, Heaven / G-A-Y, Ku Leicester Square, Ku Soho, Retro Bar, Rupert Street, The Kings Arms, The Yard, Village, Barcode, The Edge, The Green Carnation, Lo-Profile, Profile, Madame JoJos, Shadow Lounge, Dalston Superstore, The Glory, Vogue Fabrics, East Bloc, George & Dragon, Joiners Arms, Eagle, Fire / Lightbox, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Barcode Vauxhall
Eagle / Horse Meat Disco:
Club night on Sunday in Vauxhall. I used to think of it as my favourite club evening in London. The venue is essentially a pub with a relatively small dance floor. There's also a beer garden; my favourite spot of the Eagle. I loved the openness of the place because I felt it facilitated conversation with friends and random encounters. Both things that I value when I go out.
On a night out, a like to be able to wear comfortable clothes. Because I value speaking to my friends so much when I go out, my ideal night out reflects the kind of 'lounge wear' outfit you would wear with your mates in your living room. Essentially shorts, t-shirts and trainers. Neutral colour. No prints or logos. At most, checks or patterns. I like to think that I don't need to express my sexuality through clothing.
"I like to think that I don't need to express my sexuality through clothing."
The Joiners Arms:
Offered most of the experiences I described for the Eagle on Horse Meat Disco night. Even the layout of the places was very similar. A courtyard (albeit a small one), and inside the pub a little dance floor.
When I'm at a club I seem to value a lot the presence of an outside space. I see it as a decompression place, where it is possible to chat and remember that I am in good company.
Dalston Superstore:
Doesn't have a 'beer garden', but it's also one of my favourite places because it does feel inclusive. I mean inclusive also to people who don't necessarily choose to actively express themselves through their clothes. This is quite in contrast to the crowd who attends it. Whereas the layout and the decor of places like the Eagle, The Glory or The Joiners Arms would reflect my choice of clothing, ie. 'neutral', 'relaxed', so it is easy for me to walk in and 'feel at home'. Patrons of Dalston Superstore are generally quite 'out there' with their choice of outfits. Nevertheless, I feel my 'comfortable' style doesn't stick out there and it's just another group.