The former G-A-Y Bar address is now open all hours as a community space and a late-night party venue
With shiny new developments continuing to buff up Soho’s edges, we recently asked if the area’s late-night culture is being slowly squeezed out. But here’s some good news for the LGBTQ+ community.
Led by founder Matthew Jacobs Morgan, Hackney Wick queer collective Coven has taken over the legendary former G-A-Y Bar at 30 Old Compton Street, breathing new life into the iconic address.
Now called Coven: Headquarters, the five-floor space has been given a glow-up following G-A-Y’s closure last year after owner Jeremy Joseph cited rising costs and the changing face of Soho.
It’s much more than a nightclub too. By day it’s a multi-purpose space for the community including a cafe. After dark, they turn things into a party. Expect DJs, live music, cabaret and club nights spanning everything from Afrobeat to cult pop classics.
The opening comes at a time when London’s nightlife continues to face mounting pressure from licensing restrictions, rising rents and redevelopment.
Old Compton Street’s energy remains undefeated on a balmy summer evening, and seeing one of its most iconic spots become a new home for the queer community is a timely reminder that Soho still has its soul.
Key Information
Dates | Now open
Address | Coven: Headquarters, 30 Old Compton Street, Soho
For more information | Follow Coven on socials
