QX Magazine

THE VICTORIA

Saturday 18th May sees a spectacular Eurovision-themed extravaganza down the Walthamstow way as you are invited to join Baga & Tanya’s Barmy Eurovision Party! Both Baga Chipz and Tanya Hyde, stellar performers through and through, will be commentating and performing during the Eurovision Song Contest. The party kicks off when the Eurovision does, at 8pm, and it will be on three big screens with scorecards and food from around Europe, plus a special appearance at midnight from Abbalicious. £3 before 10pm, £5 after.

188 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 4QH

KU BAR

Ku has always been one to celebrate Eurovision, and 2013 is no different year. Watch the second semi-final in Ku’s sumptuous champagne bar upstairs on Thurs 16th, and then the Eurovision 2013 Contest from Malmo, Sweden, will be shown in both Ku bars on the night of Saturday 18th. For hardcore fans the Ku Klub is the place to be where scene queen Lady Lloyd hosts her annual Eurovision party with free entry, and a live ‘cinema style’ broadcast on the Big Screen – bring the flag of your country and join in the spirit! Ku Klub is open as usual following from 11pm to 3am.

30 Lisle Street, Chinatown, WC2H 7BA
25 Frith Street, Soho, WC1D 5LB

THE TWO BREWERS

The Two Brewers have two of their biggest, most hilarious and downright filthy-tongued star drag queens on hosting duties for both the Eurovision run-up and the grand night itself. Thursday 16th sees the semi-final hosted by the inimitable Miss Myra Dubois whose acid tongue will no doubt make minced meat of some performances. Then prepare yourselves for a wicked party on the night of the Grand Finale from Sweden, Sat 18th, as Sandra takes over!

114 Clapham High Street, Clapham, SW4 7UJ

COMPTONS

Comptons have not just one but two days of your illustrious weekend devoted to the wonderful land of Eurovision. On Friday 17th there’s a huge warmup party with DJ Jo Public rolling out some classics from the contest, from 10pm until 2am. Then for the big night itself of Sat 18th you’ll find one of the biggest Eurovision parties in Soho, rammed wall to wall with Euro-loving hotties, and the party continues until 2am…

51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN

BRIDGE BAR

Bridge Bar have another sizzling weekend lined up for you down Clapham way as they invite the legend that is Nick Evans onto the decks on Friday 17th to keep the crowds buzzing and happy all night long, with Mr Evans kicking off at 8pm. Get the same winning vibe on Saturday 18th, as a Eurovision alternative with Fabio Luigi seducing (with his sounds!) the hot regulars that The Bridge is swiftly become renowned for, on at 8pm again.

8 Voltaire Road, Clapham, SW46 6DH

G-A-Y BAR

Wave the flag at G-A-Y for the campest music competition in Europe, where all the thousand glittering screens of G-A-Y Bar will be devoted to its kitsch brilliance on Saturday 18th at 8pm. Then pick up a wristband from the bar to gain £4 entry to G-A-Y Heaven afterwards, where the Eurovision themed party will continue with Swedish Big Reunion favourites Alcazar taking to the stage!

30 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 4UR

CENTRAL STATION

As with every year, Eurovision is taking over Central Station for some unstoppable amazeballs times, where the competition will be screened on their TVs and scorecards will be given out plus DJ Jason Prince holds the helm. Afterwards, stay on for Rinse Out Your Haggis at 11.15pm. Free entry before 10.30pm, £5 after.

37 Wharfdale Road, King’s Cross, N1 9SD

THE EDGE 

The Edge knows that Eurovision has all the gays going nuts with excitement and so in keeping with a time-honoured tradition they will be screening the night’s festivities on their giant video wall, inviting everyone to come join in the fun! The bar will be suitably decorated to fit the occasion and they will have a selection of themed drinks and shots on offer. Open until 3am, and entry is free before 10.30pm. Swing past sister bar The Yard and pick up a 2-4-1 drink and free entry wristband!

11 Soho Square, Soho, W1D 3QE

DRAG IDOL WEEKLY

By Jason Reid

We’ve seen some exciting new talents coming through what have been mostly preliminary heat stages in London over the last week and a bit. Topsie Redfern and Meth have both won two London heats now, meaning they qualify for two heat finals (it sounds much more confusing than it is). Meanwhile just one more semi finalist was declared, at the Old Ship, Stepney. Dolly Parton fanatic Anna Bollox (see below) will be pining her hopes on victory at the Halfway to Heaven semi final in June.

This week’s heats: We start our drag crawl at the George and Dragon on Thursday (16th) hosted by The Duchess, then it’s across to the Two Brewers hosted by Titti La Camp, from 11.30pm on the same evening.

On Saturday (18th), from 10.30pm Stoke on Trent’s heat takes place at Pink hosted by Monique Diamond and Foxy Divine. Back daaaaaaaahn south the Black Cap, Camden continue their heat stages on Sunday (19th), with Titti La Camp hosting from 10.30pm. Bette Rinse will be keeping the Halfway to Heaven competition in order as the mistress of ceremony on Tuesday (21st) from 9pm. Finally, the sugary delights of Dolly Donutt camps it up with another heat at the Golden Cross, Cardiff on Wednesday (22nd) from 9pm.

IDOL TIT-BIT

Heat winner at the Old Ship, Stepney, the root tootin’ Anna Bollox told me her plan of attack this week:

“Howdy Jason, I’m a feisty, foul mouthed southern belle from Slashville, Tennessee. I love the gym, steroids, Dolly Parton and  men (not necessarily in that order). In this year’s Drag Idol I’ll be putting the blue into bluegrass and the cunt into country with my wicked one-liners and fierce parodies”

KAZBAR

Friday 17th at the Kazbar sees DJ Mark Norton swing onto the decks to keep everyone pumping and funkin’ till the lights come up, and, of course, there’s another Eurovision special on the Saturday night (18th), with the party starting at 6pm, twelve big screens, European canapé, a best dressed competition and hosts Glendora and DJ Pete Bates. Wow!

50 Clapham High Street, Clapham, SW4 7UJ