Drag Race stars pay tribute to London’s iconic G-A-Y Bar as it announces permanent closure
Drag Race winner Kyran Thrax (Getty)
Drag Race winner Kyran Thrax (Getty)
G-A-Y Bar is closing its doors bringing an unfortunate end to one of London’s most iconic LGBTQ+ spaces.
Jeremy Joseph, the owner of the venue, as well as the nightclub, Heaven, announced the closure on social media on Wednesday (1 October). In a lengthy post he said it was “time to say goodbye to G-A-Y Bar,” as he lamented that Old Compton Street had “lost that LGBT identity.”
Joseph said, “When I opened G-A-Y Bar it was to be on one of the safest & most proudly LGBT streets. A place where you could be who you are & feel safe.” He remembered leading protests, watching Madonna perform at G-A-Y, and joining the vigil held after the Pulse Orlando shooting in 2016.
@pinknews G-A-Y Bar owner Jeremy Joseph has announced the permanent closure of the iconic Old Compton Street venue in a lengthy Instagram post. He cited multiple challenges, including the location, the impact of Covid, and the temporary shutdown of his other venue, Heaven Nightclub. Heaven, located near Charing Cross, was closed last year after a security staff member was accused of r@ping a woman last year. The case has since gone to arbitration, with Joseph stating the outcome was “in Heaven’s favour.” #lgbtqia #gaybar #gay #london #nightclub ♬ ■ News News-Drone-IT-AI(963995) – ImoKenpi-Dou
Joseph explained the bar’s closure came about as a result of a rent review into the Heaven nightclub. Whilst he said this had come back in Heaven’s favour, and was not as big of an increase as he had feared, it meant he had to focus on Heaven.
Praising the landlords behind G-A-Y Bar, Soho estates, Joseph said, “There has to be a way to protect businesses with zero costs to taxpayers.” And now that the result of the rent review is in, he added, “I’ll work on ways to cover it with the least impact on Heaven’s customers.”
He then thanked everyone who had supported him and the businesses through the ordeal. “I know it’s not good news to lose another LGBT venue,” he wrote. “But this enables G-A-Y to concentrate on Heaven’s future.”
And despite a “tough” few years, Joseph closed saying, “I hope to continue making Heaven a second home for so many LGBTQ+ people,” and looked ahead to heaven’s 50th in 2029.
“My love I’m so sorry – proud of you”
There’s been an outpouring of support in the wake of the announcement with many drag queens and performers sending their love. “Here’s to another chapter together my love! Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our community,” wrote RuPaul’s Drag Race‘s Peppermint. Laganja Estranja added, “Sending you all of my love!” And Drag Race UK‘s Kyran Thrax said, “My love I’m so sorry – proud of you for how you’ve handled all of this.”
Joseph put G-A-Y Bar up for sale in January. Joseph cited similar issues then, namely the changing Soho scene. He also highlighted the impacts from Heaven being closed after a bouncer was accused of rape. In May, Morenikeji Adewole was found not guilty.
G-A-Y Bar’s’s closures follows that of G-A-Y Late, which Joseph announced in 2023 citing a spike in attacks on customers and staff as well as increased building and development works as the reasons. It also follows the close of other venues such as The Glory in East London.
However, The Divine opened up to fill in the void left by The Glory. And community groups have fought to reopen historic venues such as The Black Cap and The Joiners’ Arms.
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