Rupert Street - The "New" Look

Hey Folks,

It seems that news of the moment is all about one of Soho’s most popular bars being out of action. Who are we talking about? Well, if you have been walking around in Soho this week, you may have noticed that gAylist bar Rupert Street is closed. Why? Well, don’t panic, it’s not a permanent thing, but simply that the place is getting a “nip & tuck” makeover. However, unlike recent ones, it’s not just a splash of paint & a tidy up, as it seems the team have big plans to give the bar a fresh new look that will have (we are led to believe) the wow factor.

With details firmly under wraps, even our inside track combined with lots of arm twisting of G.M. Cathy, could not extract the details of what the refurbishment plans are, but we do know they will be extensive and the venue will look very different to the “old” Rupert Street, which has looked pretty much the same throughout its twelve year history. Speaking with Cathy today, she confirmed that work on the refit is already under way, but with planned bold changes, the bar will not be open for business until Thursday 3rd December (mind you, that’s not too long to wait), but the suspense is already killing us!!

What we do know about, however, are the plans for the re-launch, which are very exciting indeed and as a result we have two definite “hot dates” for your diaries.

First up is a special preview event, which takes place from 5 p.m. on the re-opening day (Thurs 3rd Dec)., where invited guests will get an exclusive advance viewing of all the changes, also getting the chance to chat with Cathy & her team about plans for the new look bar, with complimentary drinks as well as select nibbles & tasters from the new food menu on full flow. Then, doors will swing open to the general public from 8 p.m., which we anticipate will be packed and THE place to be seen next Thursday.

However, the main event is saved for the following day, when Friday sees the big party take place. Not only will there be plenty of drinks offers on from the start of 7 p.m., but resident D.J. Alessandro will be spinning the sexy sounds until midnight and the team have secured the P.A. services of the brilliant Katherine Ellis. A massive name across the house music scene, Katherine has collaborated with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Roger Sanchez, Tom Stephan & The Freemasons and is the voice behind a whole host of dance/house anthems, her biggest accolade being the massive track “Salty”. This is one appearance & performance you won’t want to miss and a real coup for Rupert Street. As a result, you can expect to see the lion’s share of the gAylist scene to be on hand, with Q.X. & Boyz magazines covering the night’s proceedings (as will Disco Matt). With entrance being free of charge, we expect Rupert Street to be a “roadblock” event next Friday, so recommend you get there early to avoid the disappointment of not getting in.

Our reliable sources tell us that as well as the bar itself, Rupert St’s website is getting a makeover, so for the latest information on the changes go to http://rupertstreet.com or check out the regular posts/news via their facebook group.

So, Thurs 3rd & Fri 4th Dec will be definite “Hot Dates” in the Soho bar world, but in the meantime, if like us, you are left with the dilemma of where to hang out, check out our “limited edition” weekend recommendations post.

xDM

Scandal, Wild Fruit & Matinee

Hey Folks,

Well, with November simply running away with us, we look forward to the beginning of the “Christmas” month, which for the gay community signals a major event, World Aids Day, which falls on a Tuesday. We are busy compiling our special feature on this year, covering the best places to be out there for this now mammoth day in the diary and the feature post will be out this weekend.

However, in the meantime there are some clubbing “Hot Dates” that deserve a mention, two in London and one down on the south coast in Brighton (O.M.G. Disco Matt reaches beyond the capital!!).

First up and on Sunday 29th Nov (close enough) is the return of Scandal at the Shadow Lounge in Soho, which proved a really popular choice, post Soho Live 09. Once again, the night will be full of front page scandal & hosted by the unscrupulous Madame Alekssandra Cecilato, with D.J’s Chris Brogan, who took Salvation Brazil by storm & Alessandro, who will be fresh from his trip to Salvation Moscow, as well as a curtain call performance from Juliana De Primo. Now, we hear that plenty of outrage, besmirching & reputation tugging will be the order of the night, but, of course all in the best possible taste & for a great cause to boot, the Elton John AIDS Foundation no less. With pre-parties at Rupert St on Sunday 22nd November (we will be there) and The Box on the night itself, there will be plenty of extra scandalous action going on this time round. So in the inimitable words of the promoter, “Let there be no more cover ups or false allegations, but be there when the scandal breaks!!

Next up, and in a departure for us, is coverage of an event away from gAylist London, in Brighton no less (well it as more gay than the capital sometimes!!) and probably the biggest club brand to hit the seaside shores, Wild Fruit throw their “Red Party” at the cities (yes Brighton is a city!) biggest venue, Oceana on Sunday 6th Dec, with probably THE biggest line up we have seen in ages. Guests include Boy George, the Freemasons, Patsy Palmer (Ricky!!) & Rowetta, with massive vocals from Beverley Knight, a multi music award winning artist. The D.J. list is huge & includes Tasty Tim, Brighton’s own Jon Byrne, Kate Wildblood, Yvette (yes she can spin!) & special London guest Hi-Fi Sean as well as at least 14 more talents across five (yes five) rooms of fun. Red is definitely the name of the game and everyone is encouraged to dress up, even if it’s just a red bow. This is Brighton’s biggest & original best World AIDS day party with fundraising fundamental to the event, but fun being elemental to it all. And with an afterparty “Rebel Red” at The Honeyclub, looks like we will be having Monday off!!

Last up is Matinee, which returns to Cable in London Bridge on Sat 5th Dec, for another night of seductive, sexy gAylist clubbing at its best, with top notch D.J. line up, the biggest collection of dancers you have ever seen, all dressed appropriately by some of London’s biggest designers as well as specially shipped in outfits from Ibiza & the best production that Cable has experienced in the hands of this Espaniol giant brand. With red partying being the central theme, or as they say in Spanish, “La Noche Roja”, the whole venue will be decked in massive red drapes & all things red, which will make a truly massive impact. Confirmed D.J’s include regulars Guy Williams, Paul Heron, Brent Nicholls & Alessandro, with the return to the decks by Pier Morrocco, Jonny M & Saki as well as Spanish Matinee resident Lydia Sanz, who plays Cable for the first time, but if her performances at Colloseum are anything to go by, she will blow the roof off with her truly hard yet uplifting sounds to compliment the Balearic infused, tech, progressive & funky house tunes of the rest. The night will definitely have a “Christmas” theme in the usual Matinee “over the top” style, but will also pay homage to World AIDS day, with donations requested on the door for a major charity to be announced.

More details of these events, including opening times, ticket availability & website links will follow in up-coming posts, but three events to definitely scroll in your diaries now!!

Be There!

xDM

DTPM "The Bitch is Back" & SuperMartXe "1st Anniversary"

Hey Folks,

Well, we love reporting on some truly gAylist events and there are two mega ones coming up to really look forward to, very much “Hot Dates” and both looking like being in massive demand.

First up is mega clubbing brand DTPM, which has been creating a stir with its return, entitled “The Bitch is Back!”, next Sunday (15th November), which attracted unprecedented attention and ticket sales following the “official” news breaking. Indeed ever since the days of Villa Stefano’s, this legendary club has been held in high regard, with major parties rivalling any other brand we know, at venues including The End & Fabric. The team, in bringing DT (as it is lovingly known by ardent followers) back to the capital for the first time in over 12 months, is returning it to those Villa Stefano routes, as the club will open at 3.30 p.m. (yes – in the afternoon). What is distinctly different however, is that rather than being deep down, as it has been in all its incarnations, “The Bitch is Back!” will be 31 floors up at the amazing Paramount private members club in Centrepoint (you couldn’t be more central if you tried!), where breathtaking & unparalleled views of London encase this special space, where you will be able to see the sun set (if it’s out!) and the city light up in front of you. In terms of the DT music magic, all the favourites are back, including Miguel Pellitero, Fat Tony & of course Guy Williams & Steve Thomas, who will no doubt all rock Paramount to its foundations 31 floors down! However, here’s the bad news, if you haven’t got your ticket already, then it looks like you have missed the boat as the demand was so great, the event was a sell-out within 10 days of the tickets being released last month. And with no guest list, even Disco Matt can’t get in to review it!!!. However, the good news is that the team are planning further events upcoming, with a big rumour going around about a special NYD party, so watch this space for further news of that & if we get any update on extra spaces at Paramount. Also watch our next “weekend recommendations” post for full details of next Sunday’s event.

Next, and a party we will definitely be there for, is SuperMartXe London’s latest instalment as Logan presents “1st Anniversary” on Sat 28th Nov, a celebration of the espaniol giant that took London by overwhelming storm twelve months ago and remains in the spotlight for each and every event. Yes, the early parties were controversial, for mainly the wrong reasons, but when it comes to top notch production, stunning visuals, brilliant P.A.’s & some of the best D.J. names around, not to mention probably the best looking crowds of any, SuperMartXe certainly delivers on all counts, making it a truly gAylist event. Sticking with its home at The Coronet in Elephant & Castle, where theatrical style & massively proportioned production is the name of the game, this “1st Anniversary” party will be no exception, as the team promise a night of special live performances, superb shows & lots of surprises. The latest news to be released is that Logan has secured the services of D.J. AB Garcia, SuperMartXe Madrid’s latest recruit, who will join London regular residents Steve Pitron & Nick Tcherniak in the main room, with Amsterdam’s very own Marlon K Jones hosting room two (upstairs), a superb line up to celebrate 12 months in London town we think, meaning there will be a veritable feast of fantastic music on offer. Given the promise of some live performances expect at least one P.A. (shall we guess Therese?!?) as well as Logan’s schmitzels providing all the eye candy you need. If you haven’t been to a SuperMartXe London party yet, then this will definitely be one to indoctrinate you into its ways and we expect this will be a complete sell-out too. We will keep you posted with ticket sales & news of the event as it emerges, but definitely makes Saturday 28th November a “Hot Date” in your diary.

So, two great events coming up, but with more up our sleeves keep your eyes peeled for our next lot of “Hot Dates”

xDM