The Black Cap is one of London’s most iconic LGBTQ+ drag and cabaret venues. It will reopen its doors on 21 March 2026 for an all-ticket event, marking the return of the historic Camden pub after more than a decade.
Closed since 2015, the landmark venue on Camden High Street has been lovingly restored following a long campaign by LGBTQ+ activists, local residents and Camden Council to protect the site and preserve its cultural heritage.
Now under new ownership and managed by LT Management, the venue has undergone a £2 million refurbishment and will reopen as a lively queer performance space celebrating drag, cabaret, and live entertainment.
Star acts will feature in a line-up of drag performers over the coming months, including:
Aidan Sandler is described as an “absolute tornado of a cabaret star” and the “Demonic David Bowie.”
Anita Fag is a Welsh drag queen and live entertainer based in Swansea.
Me The Drag Queen is a London-based drag performer known for their camp, flamboyant style and impressive lip-sync performances.
Baga Chipz is an English drag queen and TV personality, famous for appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Sophia Stardust is a UK drag performer known for her high-energy comedy at stages and Pride events.
Tiana Biscuit is a drag artist and singer from South London, known for her flair in musical theatre.
The Palladium of drag
The Black Cap will once again take its place in Camden’s alternative cultural scene. In the 1950s and 1960s, when being gay was socially challenging in Britain, this pub offered a safe space where individuals could come together and express themselves freely.
The venue has hosted pioneering drag stars such as Mrs Shufflewick, Regina Fong, and Lily Savage, as well as the late Paul O’Grady. His widower has generously loaned cherished artifacts from O’Grady’s career to the new venue. Additionally, the original Black Cap sign will be displayed in the bar.
The Black Cap has history
The Black Cap is over 250 years old. Some believe its name originated from a witch named Jenny Bingham, while others suggest it refers to the black cap traditionally worn by judges when delivering the death sentence.
We hear from those involved in bringing the Black Cap back
Jean-Charles Sibille from LT Management told QX: “There has been huge interest in the reopening of The Black Cap. We have been very mindful of the venue’s history and have worked hard to preserve its character while giving it a new lease of life.
“The refurbishment includes a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system inspired by leading Ibiza venues, and the building will feature vibrant external lighting designed to make it a landmark once again on Camden High Street.
“Most importantly, the reopening will create 36 new jobs, and we are proud to be welcoming a diverse team of staff to run this historic venue.”
The venue will be managed by Rafa Motycki, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a former performer with long-standing ties to Camden’s music and entertainment scene.
Drag performer and campaigner Alex Green told QX: “We are so happy that The Black Cap has been saved and sympathetically restored to celebrate its LGBTQ+ and drag performance history. It will finally reopen as a safe and fabulous venue for our community.
“It has taken more than a decade of campaigning, and I’m hugely proud of the campaign team, Camden Council and the new investors for doing the right thing.
“But most of all, I’m proud of the LGBTQ+ and local community for standing firm and saving this iconic and historically important landmark.”
The Black Cap is coming back to Camden on 21 March 2026, 171 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JY, United Kingdom.
