New LGBTQ+ Members' Club Opens in London
London has a new LGBTQ+ focused private members' venue, the Bohemia Club, located in a restored Grade II listed pub in Clerkenwell. The club features intimate courtyards, club rooms, and a state-of-the-art cabaret. It aims to set a new benchmark for inclusive, experience-driven luxury within a heritage setting.
- The building housing the Bohemia Club is the former Sekforde Arms pub, a Grade II listed structure originally built in 1829. Before its restoration, the pub had been closed since 2015. The surrounding area was developed in the 1820s and 1830s by the Seckford Charity, an endowment established in the 16th century by Sir Thomas Seckford, an official in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. - The club's design, handled by Palmer Lunn Architects, emphasizes the trend of "quiet luxury," which prioritizes high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and discretion over overt branding. This is reflected in the use of traditional Japanese charring techniques (Shou-Sugi-Ban) on the Accoya wood in the courtyard, a method that naturally preserves the timber while creating a unique, textured finish. - Clerkenwell, the club's neighborhood, has evolved from one of London's medieval parishes and a 19th-century industrial hub for watchmaking and brewing into a contemporary design district. Today, it is known for a high concentration of architecture studios and design agencies, alongside upscale restaurants and historic pubs, attracting a mix of creative professionals and city workers. - The inclusion of a state-of-the-art cabaret space aligns with a growing trend in luxury hospitality that integrates immersive entertainment with dining. High-end cabaret and live performance venues in London, such as The Box in Soho, can command table prices of around £5,000, indicating a strong market for exclusive, performance-based nightlife. - The focus on creating an "experience-driven" venue taps into a broader shift in the private members' club landscape, which is moving beyond traditional amenities. Newer clubs are increasingly offering curated cultural programming, such as art exhibitions, masterclasses, and wellness-integrated facilities to foster a sense of community around shared interests. - The LGBTQ+ focused members' club scene in London is expanding beyond nightlife to offer more diverse and inclusive spaces. Recent research on LGBTQ+ spaces in London highlighted a demand for venues that are not solely centered around drinking and nightlife, catering to a broader range of the community. - The restoration of historic buildings into luxury hotels and members' clubs is a significant trend in London's hospitality sector. Other recent examples include the conversion of the former Old War Office into a Raffles hotel and the Hat & Feathers pub, another Grade II listed building in Clerkenwell, which was recently incorporated into a Hotel Indigo.
