Londoners may well be spoiled for choice when it comes to gay
nights out, but that can make us picky. If you're feeling too old
for the Candy Bar, too young for Kenric, too laid-back for the
Shoreditch scene, too girly for G-A-Y and too lazy to trundle all
over town looking for the right mix of women, you're not alone. And
fortunately for you, me and a host of other like-minded ladies,
there's Bijou.
Aiming to bring us fun, friendly, attitude-free nights out in
gorgeous surroundings, where there's still loo-roll after 9pm,
organisers Robin and Lauren (pictured left) launched their
"cocktail social" Bijou last summer. Since then, the night has gone
from strength to strength, attracting an eclectic crowd of lesbian
and bisexual women of all ages, ethnicities and styles, who make
the most of the reasonably-priced bar, fabulous cocktails and
unusually generous rations of toilet paper.
DIVA dropped in just before Christmas and was instantly sold on
the warm welcome and delicious drinks. The Carter Rooms provide
everything required, from comfy banquettes and friendly staff to a
dancefloor. The location, in the shadow of St Paul's cathedral,
offers multiple tube stations and nearby eateries at the City's One
New Change development.
The night gets going at 8pm, so if you want to drop in for an
early one and enjoy a relaxed get-together in an atmosphere
conducive to conversation, there's plenty of time for that before
the loungey background music gives way to a mixed-up pop vibe that
had the dancefloor both pumping and wiggling.
Bijou may well boast London's most good-natured bar queue; in
spite of the long wait on the night DIVA was there, women were
friendly, flirty and infallibly polite. (Robin assures us that
there'll be more staff on hand to service the thirsty throng next
time!)
Check out pictures of the night here.
The action continues until 2am, so there's no need to cut the
night short. The next event is on Saturday 14 January, and every
second Saturday of the month after that.
DIVA tip! Email elysionevents@ymail.com to purchase advance
guestlist tickets for £7.50.
Tickets available on the door cost £10.
For more information, see www.elysionevents.co.uk
Bijou
Every 2nd Saturday 8pm until 2am
The Carter Rooms
56 Carter Lane
City of London
EC4V 5EA
Photo credit: Laura Cunliffe
