Place of residence: London SW10, other London-adjacent

Venues visited: Admiral Duncan, Circa, Circa Club, 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, Rupert Street, The Kings Arms, The Yard, Village, Barcode, The Edge, The Green Carnation, Lo-Profile, Profile, Madame JoJos, Shadow Lounge, Eclipse, Too Too Much, The Box (bar), Dalston Superstore, Eagle, Fire / Lightbox, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Barcode Vauxhall, Crash / Union

Choice of venue & outfits:

I was loving going out in Soho, and I thought I would meet someone that I would like to go out with. Being in Soho was so exciting, it didn't feel like England, it was like being on holiday; East London felt like a British town.

I never really felt like I fitted in in East London, I didn't think I was trendy enough. I didn't wear trendy clothes for East London. I was also a young lawyer at the time, and I thought there would be more young professionals in Soho rather than in East London, I thought there would be more people like me there.

I had a more preppy look and I also used to have a lot of fun in Soho. I liked the vibe, and it was convenient to where I lived, and to meet friends. Straight friends could come with me too. I was also quite body conscious and felt a bit more intimidated by East London venues.

Around 2006, Shadow Lounge - in my mind more young professionals, and I would wear a shirt and jeans and brogue shoes - and I think that's what others were wearing. I was wearing quite smart clothes at work, so I felt I fitted in more in that venue. I felt more comfortable dressed in this way, but I didn't feel comfortable to be showing off my body.

Now - I'd be wearing much more relaxed clothes, I'd be really dressing down because I'm much more relaxed about how I dress. I think this is also reflective of what's happening across society in the last 3 years - because of the pandemic, working from home so people dress down now. I think also fashion has changed a bit to be more casual, not so preppy or formal.

Crazier nights out in Vauxhall when I was younger - we knew we were going there and we knew it was more clubby and drugs, so I would wear t-shirt and jeans and trainers to try to fit into that crowd more. If I wore what I wore to Shadow Lounge there, I'd feel out of place. It's a different crowd - it was more of a hardcore crowd. There was also a consideration of comfort because I knew I would be going dancing.