Her Upstairs is the exciting new cabaret venue in Camden that delights in bringing the wild and wonderful to the gay scene with a whole family of amazing performers and staff. The venue is run by cabaret matriarch Meth, #BoyfriendJoe and George Anthony, former deputy manager of the Black Cap. Dave Cross spoke to Meth about the first six months of the venue, as well as some exciting developments, plus we hear from more of the team.
Hi Meth, for anyone who hasn’t been yet, how would you describe Her Upstairs?
Her Upstairs is a kitschy, camp, queer cabaret bar where everyone is welcome – provided you’re not an asshole!
Talk us through your team.
Well, there’s me, Meth – I’m the face and show mistress. There’s our George, he’s the brains and alcohol expert. And #BoyfriendJoe, who is the heart/moral compass/head of human resources. We make up the board of directors of this lousy company, so don’t fuck with us, fellas. We have a fabulous team of bar wenches, our lovely door team and Brian the Penguin who watches over us all.
How has your first six months been?
It’s been a whirlwind of wigs and lashes and booze and fun. We’ve learnt lots – turns out running a bar is a touch more tricky than I had expected – and been very proud to open a space where we can put on so many amazing shows and which so many people have come to call home.
Can you name a highlight so far?
Our Pokémon show in March was a personal highlight. I’m such a Pokénerd so I was living my fantasy that night. But the real crowning glory is the incredible success of nights like The Cocoa Butter Club, which celebrates and showcases performers of colour, and the fierce fully female show LADS, which makes me burst with pride for the rich and diverse family we have here.
What about a challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Keeping me away from the gin. We have yet to overcome that, actually…
We know you have some exciting news with a major development starting Easter weekend – tell us more…
We do indeed. Six months on and we’re already expanding. From Easter weekend we will be taking over the ground floor club space to bring you Them Downstairs, which will be open every weekend providing a contrasting but complementary club space alongside our beloved Her Upstairs. The venue will operate as a whole too, so you can enjoy cabaret upstairs before heading down to dance the night away in the club.
And this will be every weekend from Easter onwards?
Absolutely. As well as our regular shows continuing upstairs all week long, we are launching brand new club nights downstairs, and bringing back some old friends. Every Friday following our hugely successful shows with the Foster Kids, we will be launching Queer Bash, a proper no-pretence party for all queers. You can expect the return of the POP! from the wonderful Holestar, plus Cybil War and I are teaming up to bring you something bizarre and beautiful. There are some special secrets we’re keeping up our sleeves for now too, so watch this space…
What have you got coming up after Easter?
We’re excited to be part of Drag Idol this year, which will be every Tuesday in May hosted by LoUis CYfer, as well as the third season of our crazy competition Not Another Drag Competition, which is already set to be another knockout! And I’m very excited for our next two cult/childhood/nerd events with Harry Potter this Friday (7 Apr) and Star Wars on 5 May.
Virgin Xtravaganzah
“Her Upstairs is a venue that celebrates performance but is quintessentially queer; this is not a gay bar or lesbian bar but a space that includes all people from all demographics. It’s this kind of diversity and inclusivity that I enjoy most.”
Lolo Brow
“For me, there is no place quite like Her Upstairs. It’s a fabulous, colourful, safe space. A place that not only says it’s a diverse, safe space but actually acts on it.”
Herr
“While this high class establishment is very much not named after me, it has helped me discover my sexual confidence and gives me the platform to make a statement. Praise be!”
Sadie Sinner
I run a night dedicated to showcasing and celebrating performers of colour and when it’s our Thursday, I don’t feel like I’m borrowing a space, I feel like I’m returning home. Her Upstairs’ existence is resistance. Created in response to the destruction of a home for so many, this space knows what and who it stands for and because they stand for so many it will never fall.
Mzz Kimberley
“Finally a queer space in North London where the LGBTQ community can feel safe and have a blast. Performing at Her Upstairs is a dream!”
Easter weekend at Her Upstairs
Thursday 13 April
Scarlet O’Hora, Lilly Snatchdragon and Lolo Brow present a celebration of female talent from 8pm.
Them Downstairs launch
Good Friday 14 April
Shows from the Foster Kids from 9pm with Ruby Wednesday and Victoria Sin plus from 10pm downstairs Queer Bash with DJ Tete Bang.
S9aturdays
Saturday 15 April
Upstairs hosted by Meth from 8pm with Tasty Tim and Lady Lloyd in a new club night downstairs.
Sunday Mass Extra
Easter Sunday 16 April
Hosted by Virgin Xtravaganzah with shows from 6pm by Silver Summers, Vinegar Strokes and Holestar followed by Disco Pulpit downstairs until late. Plus a host of birthdays!
Not Another Drag Competition
Bank Holiday
Monday 17 April
Alternative week hosted by Meth.
Her Upstairs, 18 Kentish Town Road, Camden, London, NW1 9NX.
herupstairs.co.uk
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