How’s that classic Christmas song go…“He’s making a list… Checking it twice”? Goldie Saloon made sure to take that sentiment seriously with their end of year holiday event, Yule-Haul.
Before the holiday season set over us in its all-consuming fashion, we were after one more silly night out before 2025 began. On December 21st, the “big FLINTA/ gay living room” opened its doors to all kinds of festive fun. The event packed with the remainder of London’s queers as they celebrated the few days before Christmas. Many Londoners had already headed home in preparation for Saint Nick to make his chimney-bound appearance across the UK. Despite Hackney’s desolate streets in the meantime, to my surprise, the venue was packed.
The night was themed after a play on the commonly phrased experience of “Uhauling”. Which, if you aren’t familiar, is when two people get along so well that they extend what is often a first date into a week-long endeavor. In extreme cases, sometimes renting a Uhaul truck together… Joint tenancy agreement and move-in-date hovering in the distance. In this case, the venue nodded to a notion of Yuletide fun and the common queer experience, combining to create its clever name, Yule-Haul.
The evening featured a special opportunity to tell Santa exactly what you wanted for Christmas in “Butch Santa’s grotto”. Which was full of “fun prizes” and “some nice free drinks n bits”. Butch Santa granted pre-christmas wishes for those on the “nice” list, while “naughty” counterparts received a whack on the bum… (unsurprisingly, Santa’s paddle seemed to get some serious use throughout the evening). DJ sets began from 9pm and prizes were up for the winning, specifically by those who rocked up in their Christmas best. East London Liquor Company provided the drinks in question which were funded by guests who purchased a “pay it forward ticket” ahead of the evening.
Doors opened from 7pm with music pumping through the venue speakers, when DJs opened their sets from 9pm. Including mixes from DJ Stupid Bitch and Elliot from Faff who ended the evening, wrapping the audience in a little red bow. Around the venue, guests were dressed in their Christmassy best, go-going elves dotted throughout. Costumes were not required but heavily encouraged, with prizes on offer for the best fits. Energy was high, the venue alive with all kinds of exchanges: silly dances between friends, flirty dates, and many many new (queer) reasons to be excited about the holiday season. Goldie Saloon extends its offerings to as many community members as possible with different tiers of ticket prices. Their focus clearly being accessibility, allowing most, regardless of income, the chance to participate in a bit of festive fun.
Goldie Saloon is swiftly growing into one of Hackney’s newest go-to nights out and venues in East London, primarily as the space itself is welcoming/ warm but also equal parts flirty. Striking a balance between a space appropriate for casual chats with pals, which simultaneously presents a sensual, date-appropriate vibe isn’t always easy to achieve. But oh … They do it so well. The venue does a noteworthy job of creating space for anyone and everyone to feel welcomed. Attendees do the talking on this front, as I’ve only been met with kind exchanges, new friendships, and dare I say a flirt or two. The venue and events space has a lot of upcoming, exciting news set to unfurl in the new year. I suggest you give them a follow to keep up, you don’t wanna miss their next event… I can confidently confirm, it’s only up from here.
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Words & Photographer: Lauren Bulla