This is Prohibition sees four of London’s biggest club brands unite for a giant one-off warehouse party. QX talks to Lovechild’s Alex Erfan, Queer Nation’s Patrick Lilley and Bear Necessity’s Firas to find out more…
Prohibition is coming! What’s the concept?
ALEX: We just heard the economy is not showing any signs of recovery, leaving everyone on really tight budgets. Hard times always bring out the hedonistic urge; exactly what we are aiming with This Is Prohibition. A really fun, inclusive get-together at affordable prices. Throw in a few outrageous surprises we have planned, a really tasty line-up of DJs, performers and dancers and we can see already there is a great buzz about the party.
PATRICK: Love is in the air, it’s Valentine’s and we love clubbing… and a few friendly and experienced promoters decided to get together to offer a brand new and exciting club night, in an historic gay venue. We decided to club together on Valentine’s night and res-‘erect’ Queer Nation, alongside Bear Necessity, Lovechild and Butch. The venue had some small rooms that suit the funk of QN, to the larger arenas for the bears, and the dance anthems and Live PAs of Lovechild.
FIRAS: It’s a long overdue collaboration between four of London’s biggest clubs at the city’s most legendary venue. This is Prohibition brings you a warehouse multiplex of drinking, dancing and socializing; an orgy of sound where all the gay tribes are welcome from bears to muscle boys, with their best girlfriends to homo thugs, and fans of New York house.
Why join forces on this project and not go it alone?
ALEX: The combination of all the clubs works so well together. From QN’s American house, BN’s more edgy deeper tech house, Lovechild’s more vocal tech, stage shows and production, and Manu Garcia’s Butch hosting the bar arch we really have great variety to tempt and entertain.
Tell us about Bear Necessity’s and Butch… what do they bring to the mix?
PATRICK: I am a bit older now, and more plump, so I am naturally thrilled to have hundreds of big bears in the room next door. Plus, with Micky Galliano DJing – sexy Italo-bear! The other two clubs are doing regular nights across Europe so it’s great to work with internationally respected promoters and DJs.
FIRAS: Bear Necessity and Butch bring in the big guys! They bring in the beef. The big muscle-bears with big calves, teddy-bear faces and sleeve long tattoos! We are aiming for a progressive house sound, mixed with a beer garden atmosphere.
And the venue? Tell us more…
ALEX: Club Sidings is one of London’s iconic gay venues, formerly known as Arcadia. It is familiar to many, and many more will be discovering it with us in the months to come. The new owners of Sidings have been operating some of the biggest clubs across London – Scala and Hidden are also part of the same group. They are re-shaping and updating the club constantly. With them as our partners, expect a real driving force behind the party and watch out for some amazing events and parties scheduled at the venue in the coming months.
PATRICK: So many people miss this venue. We are putting a modern “warehouse” style twist on this classic gay venue, which is just a short stumble from London Bridge station. It’s new night, in a new part of central London, in a classic and well know venue.
“We have something for everyone, from uplifting vocal house to high energy beats the progresses into something deep, sexy and raw.”
What can we look forward to on the night?
ALEX: Dancers, performers, strippers, Contact Room, Abigail Bailey, Love Resurrection track release, DJs, hosts, Bearotica… so much to talk about
PATRICK: It’s a range of music and ambiences from the different club nights and promoters involved: from small and intimate to larger arenas packed with gogos and live PAs.
FIRAS: A mélange of house music. We have something for everyone, from uplifting vocal house to high energy beats the progresses into something deep, sexy and raw. Each of the clubs will showcase their best DJ talent and ensure a night to remember. This is Prohibition guarantees the inclusivity of sound catering to its heterogeneous crowd from all walks of gay life. You will be impressed
• Lovechild, Bear Necessity, Queer Nation & Butch unite for This is Prohibition at The Sidings (51 Southwark Street, London Bridge, SE1 1TE) on Saturday 16th February, 11.30pm-6am.
