POP-UP DYKE BAR
A free-entry lesbian/bi/trans+ project in London: trans-run, for dykes of all genders
Pop-up Dyke Bar was started in response to the lack of free-entry, dyke-focused spaces in London. So many dykes dream about starting a bar that truly serves our community - we deserve better than She Soho! But a 24/7 bricks-and-mortar business is really hard to achieve when even housing is a battle for many of us, and we don't have enough spaces to restore and recharge with each other in the meantime.
Taking inspiration from the Bristol Butch Bar, a few of us decided to just approach pubs that are normally quiet early in the week, and get free reign to turn them into dyke bars in exchange for bringing in customers. Not being limited to queer-owned businesses has also given us freedom to prioritise accessibility and trans safety, which sadly isn't always a given in venues that cater primarily to non-disabled cis gay men.
It ended up being an even more emotional experience than we'd expected, seeing hundreds of dykes take over an ordinary pub and turn it into somewhere that all kinds of dykes can shoot pool and arm wrestle; where lesbian couples can kiss openly; where trans people can use whatever bathroom they want - all knowing the space is theirs. The hope is that we can rotate around different parts of London, and hopefully the learnings we gain and the community we build can pave the way for the permanent dyke bar of our dreams to come true someday!
/ The Pop Up Dyke Bar team
Poster and design by Emily Witham
Images by Louise Dalgleish and The Pop Up Dyke Bar team
Image by Louise Dalgleish
Image by Louise Dalgleish
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Louise Dalgeish
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Louise Dalgeish
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Louise Dalgeish
Image by Louise Dalgeish
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Image by Pop Up Dyke Bar Team
Credits:
Pop-up Dyke Bar 's first event in London
Poster and design by Emily Witham
Images by Louise Dalgleish and The Pop Up Dyke Bar team
Text by Pop-up Dyke Bar team
Archive piece curated by HÄN and received by the Pop-Up Dyke Bar in November 2023.
Want to archive your event, organisation, work or other? Please feel free to submit here or reach us via hi@han-archive.com and we'll be in touch!
02/11/2023