North London Food & Culture

Queer and Unstable? Come on up to Her Upstairs

A final comment on the election has to come from Kentish Town Road's ace LGBT bar

In their own inimitable style: A-board today on the pavement. Photo: Her Upstairs
The cosy queer bar Her Upstairs on Kentish Town Road made our #1 opening of the year 2016 for good reason.

A refreshing addition to the rapidly shrinking LGBT+ scene in the capital, it was the brainchild of friends Joe Parslow, drag queen Meth (the brains behind Black Cap cabaret night the Meth Lab) and George Anthony, whose CV includes managing venues like Dalston Superstore and Madame Jojo’s.

And its kitsch interiors, “camp” drinks (or be butch and sip on a Camden Hells) and quirky entertainment, synonymous with the Camden LGBTQ+ scene, means it has now built up a real following.

Performer Meth at the launch of Her Upstairs. Photo: SE
On our most recent visit (last night, in fact) we witnessed a couple of remarkable cutting edge artists thrilling the crowd: excellent multi-instrumentalist singer Tsinder Ash, whose post-Perfume Genius set was full of dark lyrics with a bluesy folk feel; and trans activist CN Lester, a captivating classical mezzo and composer. And it was free entry, to boot. Who says the suits have won?


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Even better, today we spied this brilliant A-board on the pavement which, with its unapologetic May-baiting, is worth posting alone.

And if you’re feeling depressed or disheartened by the election (or even hopeful!) head to the friendly bar tonight for Fagulous, who host their Election Broadcast Spectacular with TeTe Bang, Ruby Wednesday, TV TV and Ripley.

Queer and unstable my arse, eh?

Fagulous starts 8pm till ‘super late’ tonight. 18 Kentish Town Road NW1. Follow @her_upstairs on Twitter for more

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