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Wed / Jan 20
Party Earth Review Launched in 1996 – and revamped in 2011 after being taken over by gay bar magnate Gary Henshaw – Candy Bar is a buzzing, late-night destination for the double-X chromosome set. And a few dudes, depending... ... read full review
4 Carlisle Street
London W1D 3BJ
Central, Northern Lines: Tottenham Court Road; Bakerloo, Central, Victoria Lines: Oxford Circus
020 7287 5041
M–F 3pm–3am, Sa 1pm–3am Su 1pm–12:30am
Covent Garden / Soho, London –
Launched in 1996 – and revamped in 2011 after being taken over by gay bar magnate Gary Henshaw – Candy Bar is a buzzing, late-night destination for the double-X chromosome set.
And a few dudes, depending on the night.
Considerably less pink than its original incarnation, this simple, three-level venue promises different events throughout the week, with rotating DJs spinning everything from indie to cheesy 80s hits, karaoke nights, several drink specials, and even a boys’ night on Tuesdays complete with abs-tastic strippers that the lesbian set probably won’t appreciate.
There aren’t a lot of lesbian bars in London, so the place has become a sanctum for a diverse set of gay ladies, many of whom pop in for quiet afternoon drinks at the long main floor bar, where female bartenders serve a fairly standard mix of classic cocktails, beer, and wine.
Comfy couches and mirrors give the upstairs room a loungey, couple-friendly feel, while the subterranean club – reached via a spiral staircase – houses the dance floor/pick-up area, which can get quite busy come Fridays.
Although technically a member’s joint after 11pm, the bar is free to join, and doing so provides discounts on an already inexpensive Friday/Saturday cover charge that usually doesn’t kick in till 9pm.
Relatively unremarkable both in its décor and its drinks list, Candy Bar still manages to draw a crowd thanks to a wholly unpretentious vibe. It’s a place where girls can be girls, whether they’re bearded bulls, dainty Mollys, or just a little curious.
Lipsticks, chapsticks, femmes, blue jeans, pillow queens, predators, stems, kikis, and generally lady-loving ladies of all sorts, as well as a few unpretentious straight friends and a predominantly male gay crowd on Tuesdays, mid-20s to mid-30s.
DJs in the basement club spin a mix of pop, indie, rock, commercial house, Top 40, and 80s cheese, depending on the night, from 9 or 10pm M–Sa.
Karaoke in the basement bar on Wednesdays from 9pm.
Candy Bar also hosts occasional comedy nights and live indie music on Thursdays. Become a free member to stay abreast of the week’s events.
No food. Happy Hour M–Sa until 6pm, Sundays until 9pm, featuring 2-for-1 cocktails.
Cover charge £3 for members, £5 for non-members, F–Sa only. Beer £1.50–£4, wine £4–£5.50/glass or £22–£60/bottle, cocktails £4–£6.50.
Casual: jeans, t-shirts, flannel, hoodies, cute dresses.
Any day before 6pm for the 2-for-1 cocktail deal, or any night but Tuesdays to hang out with a strong lesbian crowd.
Ku Bar (30 Lisle Street) is another Henshaw bar, and though it caters to men, Ku becomes a bar for the ladies on Tuesdays when Candy gives way to the boys.