Gay London clubs bars sex: map, calendar/diary, reviews, news from DISCODAMAGED

HEAVEN IN JULY

It's Popcorn on Mondays with DJs Terry Vietheer, Leonardo Abbate, Terry T-Rex  and guests; GAY Porn idol on Thursdays, Camp attack on Fridays and GAY on Saturdays. Monday 5 July at Popcorn it's the Sharp Boys / Royal Pride  / Live PA from Sam Obernik. Click the headline for more details. Popcorn GUESTLIST here.

FREE ENTRY TO HEAVEN TONIGHT

Tonight is the first night of G_A_Y camp attack at Heaven and they are giving free entry flyers from G-A-Y bar (30 Old Compton St).

G-A-Y comeback

G-A-Y are having a one off special on Sat 16th Aug, the day before Soho pride. Doors open at 10:30pm – 5am. Alcohol until 4:30am. Starring ALPHABEAT (“Fascination”, “10,000 Nights” , “Boyfriend” ), it's at KoKos, 1A Camden High Street, London, NW1 7JE. Its in your gay London diary. Advance Tickets on sale at G-A-Y Bar or http://www.g-a-y.co.uk/.

G-A-Y to close (really)

You've heard all the rumours but now its for real. Jeremy Joseph has finally decided to move G-A-Y out of the Astoria, due to the very rumours and the uncertainty they cause. Here what he wrote:

ASTORIA "SHAFTED"

G-A-Y's home, the Astoria (well, that whole corner block including the other Astoria) looks set to be torn down to make way for Crossrail which finally got the go ahead today. The venue's sitting on where a new air shaft is needed for a massive new development and station.

The writing's been on the decaying walls for years but the final £250m off funding was secured today.  Gossip's been rife as to when it might close but we hear the owner, Mean Fiddler, only has lease until the end of this year.  It's likely a Compulsory Purchase will have probably gone through by then and work will begin on tearing it down.

History?  Wikipedia says "Built on the site of a former pickle factory, it opened in 1927 as a cinema. However, it was converted for theatrical use in 1976 and is now exclusively a music venue with a capacity of 2,000."  So, you can probably add "...and closed in 2008 to make way for an air shaft(ing)".

G-A-Y VENUES SOLD

G-A-Y bar and G-A-Y Late have been bought (75%) by Mama Group following its acquisition of Mean Fiddler.

According to Mama, Jeremy Joseph keeps the "G-A-Y" brand and will continue to host events at the Astoria.  Not knowing the details we can't speculate as to whether he's tied in for any length of time of if he's free to take the brand elsewhere - most likely he'll keep things as they are until the Astoria becomes redundant and he sees what options are on the table.