Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Regardless of the spin, the place is a subcultural phenomenon. Expect a kitsch decor
of pink walls, a talking horse head on the wall, cowboy hats, and a sequined guitar
worthy of Elvis.
2-4 Hackney Rd., E2.
&
020/7012-1100.
Heaven
This club, housed in the vaulted cellars of Charing Cross railway station,
is a long-running London landmark, and one of the biggest and best-established gay
venues in Britain. Painted black and reminiscent of an air-raid shelter, the club is
divided into different areas, connected by a labyrinth of catwalk stairs and hallways.
With the closing of the iconic Astoria, Heaven now hosts G-A-Y, on Thursdays, Fri-
days, and Saturdays. The biggest gay and lesbian party in the U.K. if not Europe,
G-A-Y has featured performances from big name pop acts from Madonna to the
Spice Girls.
The Arches, Villiers St., WC2.
&
020/7930-2020.
www.heaven-london.com. Admission
£12-£20. Tube: Charing Cross or Embankment.
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern was here long before Vaux-
hall became London's gay village, but even back in the late 1890s it was home to
some of London's most colorful cabaret, so in some respects not too much has
changed. London's oldest-surviving gay venue, the Royal Vauxhall is a much-loved
institution and an essential stop-off before hitting one of the local clubs. Today it's
open 7 nights a week and you're likely to find all manner of fun inside from camp
burlesque and cabaret to bingo, comedy nights, and plain old-fashioned discos.
372
Kennington Lane, SE11.
&
020/7820-1222.
www.theroyalvauxhalltavern.co.uk. Tube: Vauxhall.
Alternative Entertainment
ALT-CINEMA
Visiting the cinema—in central London at least—can be an expensive experience. Plus,
given that mainstream Hollywood films are shown at most theatres, you could be in any
city in the English-speaking world. Scratch beneath the surface, however, and you'll
find alternative cinematic experiences. The
Curzon in Mayfair,
38 Curzon St., W1
(
&
0871/703-3989;
www.curzoncinemas.com; Tube: Green Park) caters for true
cineastes with screenings of foreign and art-house films, Q&A sessions with directors,
and one-off screenings of classics from the archive. Tickets usually cost around £10.
LITERARY EVENTS
A growing number of literary events have brought topics out of silent libraries and into
London's noisy nightclubs. The capital's premier regular event is
Book Slam
(www.
bookslam.com), which takes place on the last Thursday of every month at the
Clapham Grand,
21-25 St. John's Hill, SW11 (
&
020/7223-6523;
Train: Clapham
Junction); tickets are usually £10. Heavyweight authors such as Hanif Kureishi, Dave
Eggers, and Nick Hornby have all guested alongside a variety of book-loving pop- and
rock-stars. Expect everything from poetry and book readings to live music and DJs.
Websites such as
Flavorpill
(www.flavorpill.com/london) and
Londonist
(www.
londonist.com) carry information on forthcoming literary events.
COOL KARAOKE
There are plenty of places where enthusiastic amateurs can do terrible things to popular
songs. Despite the British reputation for reserve, you'll find karaoke nights in pubs and
bars all over the city, not to mention dedicated karaoke bars such as
Lucky Voice,
52
Poland St., W1 (
&
020/7439-3660;
www.luckyvoice.co.uk; Tube: Oxford Circus).
Alternatively, head east to
Hot Breath
(www.thehouseofhotbreath.com) at
the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, 44 Pollard Row, E2 (
&
020/7739-2727;
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