All Hail The London Queer Café!

Let's talk about coffee and the change of LGBTQ nightlife in London.

The nightlife in London has been hit hard over the past decade, according to in-depth research conducted by the University College of London’s Urban Laboratory. In the ten years leading up to 2017, the number of LGBTQ bars, clubs and performance venues in London decreased by 70, from 121 to a measly 51. While the gay pub scene may be diminishing, the city’s ever-changing habits have given birth to a new type of gathering spot – the queer café. These cafés are seeing beers and spirits being shunned in favour of freshly-brewed coffee and delectable pastries, and the local LGBTQ community couldn’t be happier.

Coffee consumption increasing across the UK

One of the many driving forces behind the rise of the queer café is, without a doubt, the shift away from alcoholic beverages the world is experiencing. Another is the continuous rise in popularity coffee is enjoying among a nation of historical tea lovers. At present, approximately 70 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK every day, with the average person drinking up to 12 cups a week. Not only are brewed coffee sales steadily mounting, but an increasing number of individuals are also starting to make their own brew at home, either purchasing their coffee beans from local outlets, or making use of an online store or subscription box service.

Safe social spaces needed within the LGBTQ community

Despite the UK becoming increasingly liberal with regards to LGBTQ rights, the community continues to face discrimination and harassment. The rise of the queer café provides the community with safe spaces where they can unwind and interact with like-minded people in a relaxed environment. When alcohol flows freely, there is almost always the expectation of a hook-up, which in turn, can lead to regrettable sex, and tremendous heartache. Ditching alcohol in favour of coffee renders the vibe significantly less ‘promiscuous’, making it the ideal setting to forge lasting friendships instead of fleeting relationships.

Aptly-named bar encourage booze-free socialising

At the start of 2017, BuzzFeed UK reported on the first booze-free gay bar in the UK. The ‘bar’ is actually not really a bar, but rather a monthly evening held in a double-story, wood-panelled café in the heart of Bloomsbury. Aptly named ‘Queers Without Beers’, the evening sees patrons indulge in alcohol-free cocktails, baked goods, and copious amounts of coffee. With gay men and women being twice as likely to binge drink, according to a Trans Mental Health Study, endeavours such as QWB are creating healthy yet equally enjoyable options for a community known to overindulge on alcohol.

Queer cafés are about safe socialising as much as they are about great coffee and delicious treats. While the fading gay pub scene may seem ruinous, the rise of the queer café may, in fact, turn out to be one of the greatest blessings bestowed up the LGBTQ community.