

For most of their recent history, gay people in Europe and North America did not choose their clandestinity society’s homophobia pushed them indoors whether they liked it or not. One must acknowledge that offering an alternative and perhaps charitable view of clandestinity has the potential to offend. However, I argue that these subcultures are of the utmost currency because they force us to reconsider core imperatives of transparency and visibility that LGBT communities have historically embraced as “progressive.” Drawings by Neila Czermak Ichti The particular subcultures I will describe here seem at first glance to look backward, valuing that which has been discarded in the canonical history of gay liberation: the secret, the invisible, the silent. Much of the research in my book Sexagon: Muslims, France, and the Sexualization of National Culture (Fordham University Press, 2017), alters this historical script by weaving in the voices of queers of color and immigrants: I identify clandestinity and interiors as productive sites for the emergence of queer ethnic minority subcultures. Gay self-expression that occurred privately in clandestine clubs, bars, and undergrounds - no matter how emphatic and celebratory - was always going to be mere pre-history, compared to the telos of “coming out” and public acceptance. Acquiring the liberty to express one’s sexual identity in public was generally the desired end goal for 20th century gay activism. The venue provides sophisticated AV equipment and its in-house caterers use only the freshest of ingredients to give event catering a fresh approach, for which the Brewery is widely recognised.When writing the recent history of gay liberation in the “Western” world, we have tended to hold interiors in inferior esteem, as compared with exteriors.
Clandestiny club windows#
Linked are the two-storey Sugar Rooms, which overlook the courtyard through arched windows and connect with the sizeable King George event space. The Porter Tun is one of the largest unobstructed rooms in London, capable of holding up to 1,000 guests beneath a King Post timber roof. The venue has eight distinctive event spaces that play host to hundreds of events every year, varying from boardroom powwows, exhibitions and conferences to glitzy awards ceremonies and fashion shows. The Clandestine Club concept will showcase what the Brewery does best from imaginative event design to restaurant quality food.” In 2010 we also succeeded in raising over £6000 for charity ‘Trees for Cities’. Simon Lockwood, event design and marketing manager comments “Last year’s ‘An Extraordinary Evening In Peculiar Wood’ theme was a such a great success that it encouraged us to think even further outside the box and create an even more spectacular experience for our guests. Le Lido is also available as a shared party package for 20-150 Guests. Le Lido is available for 50-250 guests, and La Bohéme for 250-1000 guests which also includes a live band in the package. Packages Le Lido and La Bohéme both include dazzling performers and Clandestine cocktails to entertain guests on arrival, Clandestine Club design and a three course meal or buffet with coffee and petit fours as well as five and a half hours of unlimited house wine, beers & soft drinks throughout the evening and an after dinner DJ. No one ever discovered why, in its prime, the club suddenly closed, The Clandestine Club will be recreated in all its glory for guests at the Brewery this Christmas. The walls are richly upholstered in velvet and the sound of the solitary piano led by a haunting female vocal slowly cascade throughout the club until the club would explodes into a stunning array of colour and music.

Once through the discreetly hidden entrance guests are encouraged to lose themselves as the club takes control. The idea behind the mysterious club is that it’s hidden in a location deep in the heart of the city, only those lucky enough to be allowed in know of its location. Drawing inspiration from supper clubs and speakeasy’s through the ages the London venue will be transformed into The Clandestine Club for most of December.

Multi award winning venue, the Brewery has announced its Christmas packages for 2011.
