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The UK’s first LGBTQ strip club to open in London

Harpies is set to recentre the world of exotic dance around queer bodies.

By Will Stroude

London’s queer nightlife scene may have suffered from a spate of closures in recent years, but it’s clear there’s still life in the old girl with the news that the UK’s first ever LGBTQ strip club is set to open in the captial later this month.

Harpies, a strip night run by and for LGBTQ people, is set to launch at Metropolis Gentleman’s Club in Bethnal Green on 20 July, promising to recentre the world of exotic dance around the queer people who have so often been exploited by it.

The inclusive new event is the brainchild of Lucia Blake, founder of trans support network transmissions, who promised Harpies will “be a beacon of light for all trans people, all LGBTQI+, all women and all sex workers!”

 
 
 
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HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT: I’m pleased to announce that on July 20th, you will see the launch of the UK’s FIRST EVER LGBTQI+ STRIP CLUB!!!!! @harpiesstripclub will center bodies of all genders and sexualities, but especially trans+ strippers as we aim to celebrate trans+ bodies loud and proud, to kill the shame thrust upon us by cis society! You will be able to come watch live exotic shows, go to one of our party floors featuring London’s best queer DJ’s, tip your favourite dancers or go downstairs for a private dance… Cheeky! July 20th, 10pm – 5am @metropolisclub_ get it in your calendars! Ticket link in bio! Press shots by @sausageandcustard and more to follow, stay tuned!!

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In a post on Instagram, Blake wrote: “It’s about time we take control over our fetishisation, over our sexual exploitation.  NO MORE! This is about COMMUNITY and EMPOWERMENT!!

Metropolis, a former ‘straight’ strip club which also plays host to queer nights like Doller Baby and the now-defunct Savage, will be privy to live shows and private dances a range of performers when Harpies’ opening night rolls around in just a couple of weeks’ time. 

 
 
 
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Here come the girls!

A post shared by 🌟Harpies Strip Club🌟 (@harpiesstripclub) on

Announcing the club’s launch night on Instagram, Harpies organisers quipped: “We will welcome cis het men, but only to take their money.”

Harpies launches at Metropolis Gentleman’s Club on 20 July from 10pm-5am.