An innocuous entrance on South Lambeth Road by day, illuminated with subtle blue lighting by night, gives way to a warren of tunnels, arches, nooks, crannies, industrial metal mazes and more.
It’s a virtual Wonderland for horny homosexuals, filled with like-minded fellas, from skins to leather daddies, rubber lovers to jocks with huge cocks.
And this weekend it celebrates its monumental 15th birthday! Hoist main man, Kurt, reveals all…
15 years of the Hoist! That’s amazing to be going to still be strong after so long. What’s the secret to its success?
The men that go there! We have the sexiest men-only crowd anywhere in the world. There are butch muscle boys looking for trouble. There are strong leather tops who want to find their boot licker for the night. Rubber pigs, sexy skins and most of all every week we enjoy loads of hot men from outside London and the UK who come and visit. The hoist is their natural home, and the first place to check out if you wanna cruise hot blokes and can’t be bothered with all that online stuff.
How would you describe a night at club to a Hoist virgin?
Hoist virgins? Hahhaha! That’s a funny concept. Well, if you’ve never been to the Hoist than you haven’t really lived. A weekend without a night out in the sexy Hoist railway arches is like a Lady Gaga concert without ‘Poker Face’. Expect hundreds of hot men in good gear. Expect a friendly welcome. And most of all expect to leave the club not as a virgin.
“The london fetish scene is the best in the world. I should know since I travel a lot! It is more diverse than ever.”
What have been the biggest changes to the venue’s identity, image and events over that time?
Over the past 15 years we have constantly updated the club and made it bigger and better for the boys. We started out in one arch, now we have two. We have added the world’s biggest wet area. We have added loads of play equipment like crosse, boot shine chair, stuff like that. We have also updated the dress code to include full sports kit. That’s a great success especially amongst scally boys and footie fuckers. And god, these boys know who to play!
Last weekend there was this 27 year old northern lad in a Manchester United footie kit in the club. I saw him with a sexy scally lad kneeling in front of him and enjoying shall we say the hospitality. Very sexy. Plus, our Hoist Black strict dress code parties of ‘leather and rubber only’ are world famous. The next one is on Saturday 31st March.
What have been the biggest changes to wider London fetish scene over the years?
The london fetish scene is the best in the world. I should know since I travel a lot! It is more diverse than ever. What I love about it is the mix of leathermen, rubber guys, skins, guys that get off on army or police gear, and the sports guys.
They all mix together and create an amazing, testosterone fuelled buzz that is unique in the world. Plus, London has now the biggest weekly men only naked party on the planet, which happens to kick off every Sunday from 2pm in the afternoon at The Hoist.
Tell us about some of the Hoist’s greatest moments over the last 15 years!
There were many greatest moments. John Pendal as Mister Hoist winning International Mister Leather was one. Having been voted Best Fetish Club in Europe by Mann Aktuell. Getting numerous other scene and community awards. Supporting the Eddie Surman Trust and SM Gays. On a lighter note, there was that unforgettable night recently when we had a group of six sexy German tops visiting the club and I ended up licking all their shiny tall boots one after the other. My tongue is still sore.
What can we look forward to on the birthday?
The Hoist 15th birthday will be the biggest and best fetish party that London has seen. Ever! Expect a capacity crowd. Expect pervy floor shows. Expect a new layout of our famous cruise mezzanine. Expect top notch music. And expect to have the night of your life!
• The Hoist 15th birthday is at The Hoist (South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8) on Saturday 24th March.
