The evening was brisk and damp, winds capable of inverting even the sturdiest of umbrellas. The only thing keeping us afloat… our corner shop journey juice. After popping into a nearby offy, we found ourselves at the entrance of an unassuming alley. Crossing paths with car mechanics as droves of anticipatory queers made their way toward Goldie Saloon. At only a ten minutes’ walk from Hackney Downs, it would be rude not to check out East London’s newest FLINTA/ gay bar & cafe which became home to Leztopia for the night.
Goldie defines itself as a “big FLINTA-gay living room”, hosting myriad events and open to anyone within the queer community. A number of LGBTQ+ events have cropped up around the city in recent years, catering to a range of individual and overlapping identities. Londoners now have the opportunity to be a little choosy with their next destination for a glass of natty white and a boogie. Last Thursday I killed two birds with one stone. After experiencing both for the first time, it’s confirmed… you’ll wanna add these spots to that list.
The lineup consisted of four DJs, Bay-Bush-Ka, Skywalka, Maddog, and Elianne who shared the decks b2b. Jumping on the turntables each hour, tunes pumped through the crowd until the lights went up at 11pm. All vinyl, all FLINTA, the event series held true to its purpose, “to platform underrepresented voices in underground music”. Queer brewing happens to provide the beers on tap. I went for the “Urge to Merge” pale ale. Ringing in at 7£… we are looking at pretty run of the mill London prices for a craft selection. Though, knowing proceeds were going to a queer owned establishment, I had fewer reservations about the price tag than I would for what is usually my standard, a Guinness.
Walking into the space, the venue immediately measured up to its “living room” claims. Guests were scattered throughout, engaged in jovial conversations, clearly pleased to be in such a cozy space. Considering how inhospitable the weather has become in these early winter months, spirits were immeasurably high. Intrigue struck upon first review of the event poster, the name alone – enough to grab one’s attention.
Imagined and hosted by queer DJ, Elianne… I sat down to ask her a bit more about the series, where it came from, and her hopes for Leztopia’s future. Read below to learn all about the vision behind the series.
Where did the name Leztopia come from?
I was racking my brain for ages trying to think of a name for a lesbian night but nothing felt quite right! Either it was too grotesque or too niche. Then I thought of Leztopia and it was perfect. Simple but clear, and exactly what it says on the tin – a lesbian utopia. I was actually shocked that no one had coined it earlier!
How do you curate the lineup of DJs/ performing artists?
I’m super involved in the club scene and am always checking out new events every weekend. I keep an eye on and ear out for DJs whose sound I vibe with and I am always on the lookout for fresh talent. At every show, we offer a competition for a new DJ to warm up. This is a great chance to get members of our community involved directly.
Our music policy – house, techno, acid and trance – is what sets us apart. It’s really important that we put a lot of effort into curating diverse, powerful and coherent lineups.
How do you hope attendees feel when they enter the space – could you set the scene for our readership?
Leztopia is a place where everyone is welcome. I wanted to create a safe and friendly atmosphere, where people aren’t judged for how they look and what they wear. I feel some techno events have this dark, cold vibe and I wanted Leztopia to be the opposite – warm, vibrant and inviting.
What is the ideal outfit to wear to this event?
Anything goes!! I think people should wear whatever they feel comfortable in.
As the event curator and host, what is your favorite part about creating a space like this?
My favourite part is just hearing the excitement from our party goers about how much they enjoy our events. We’re still figuring things out as we go, but we are growing with our community. I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces and the queer joy in the room.
Spotify wrapped 2024 just came out, if you are a spotify user – what was your top song of the year?
Maybe surprising (or not) for a queer underground music promoter but it was, of course, Chappell Roan, Good Luck Babe. Such a banger! Great to see lesbians dominating the charts.
What’s next for Leztopia, any future events or collaborations you can tell us about?
This is hot off the press but we are so excited to announce our expansion across the UK with a series of shows in different cities. Notably, our Edinburgh debut at Sneaky Pete’s in March with an EXTREMELY exciting headliner. Stay tuned to find out more. 2025 is going to be huge for us and we’re so excited to reveal all.
There were many noteworthy takes on the night’s festivities, but one in particular circulated popular 2000’s lesbian TV show, The L Word. I recount someone expressing that Goldie Saloon felt like East London’s version of “The Planet”. As a L Word newbie myself, the obsession is real. Thinking that there was a venue in London which emulated that same kind of casual, flirty but practical space … the gays are stoked about it, to say the least. It was notable how easily the space lended itself to friendly catch ups amidst first dates, a lesbian utopia – it truly was.
Leztopia’s expansion into new and more consistent directions is hugely exciting. As much as the series is a fun night out, it also creates opportunities for meaningful community development. I mean… Who doesn’t love a silly little pint, flirt, and boogie on a Thursday night with friends and lovers alike? The environment was intentional as much as it was lighthearted. I can comfortably say if you haven’t made it to Goldie Saloon or Leztopia yet, both present a return worthy evening, dare I say. Lastly, there was no level of pretentiousness that I’ve found can sometimes permeate electronic-focused spaces… Just laughter, smooches, and smiles all around the room. We’ll be back, that’s for sure… and so should you.
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Words & Photography: Lauren Bulla