SPECIALFEATURE
PROUD TO BE KENTISH
Kent has long been a county of contrasts- coastline and countryside, cathedral cities and creative quarters, ancient history and modern innovation- but the county is also home to a growing network of LGBTQ +-owned and LGBTQ +-run businesses that are further shaping its social and cultural life, building greater confidence within the community as they thrive. In recognition of LGBTQ + History Month( 1- 28 February), this feature celebrates the standout places where inclusivity is built into the way spaces are designed, nights are programmed and people are welcomed.
From intimate cabaret basements to sunlit seafront bars, these venues show how Kent’ s queer-run businesses are creating spaces that are warm, expressive and community-led- places to meet friends, discover new artists, dance into the night or simply feel at ease.
THE ALLEY BAR( SCREAMING ALLEY), RAMSGATE
screamingalley. co. uk
Tucked beneath Salt House Ramsgate, an inclusive barbershop on Ramsgate High Street, The Alley Bar is deliberately discreet. A hidden basement venue with low ceilings, close seating and a sense of anticipation as you descend the stairs, it draws on underground club and cabaret traditions where the proximity between performer and audience is part of the experience.
Run by Screaming Alley, a Ramsgatebased cabaret production company, the space exists to support independent artists working across live performance. Cabaret open mics, performance parties and larger-scale productions sit alongside workshops and mentoring programmes, all designed to give artists space to develop new ideas and reach wider audiences. Their partnership with Salt House has made it possible to maintain a visible presence on the high street while keeping the performance space intentionally intimate.
Creative director Lara Clifton describes the ethos clearly:“ At Screaming Alley, supporting the LGBTQIA + community means doing the work: programming nights that prioritise LGBTQIA + performers and DJs, paying artists properly and building a space where queer artists can test new work, take risks and grow audiences without having to explain or dilute who they are.” The result is a venue that feels focused, generous and alive with creativity.
THE TWELVE TAPS, WHITSTABLE thetwelvetaps. co. uk
In Whitstable, The Twelve Taps is a familiar and much-loved fixture; a relaxed, welcoming pub that works just as well for an afternoon pint as it does for an evening out. Opened in March 2016, it has been owned and run by Becca and Libby since day one and is proudly an LGBTQ +-owned and LGBTQ +-run business as well as a safe space for the LGBTQ + community and allies.
From the outset, Becca and Libby’ s aim was to create a pub that felt open and inclusive, particularly to women and queer customers.“ When we set up The Twelve Taps nearly 10 years ago, one of our main aims was to create a space that was as inclusive as possible to women and the LGBTQ + community because drinking culture has often been both male and straight dominated,” they say.“ It is very important to us to be visible queer business owners, to offer a safe space for the queer community and to have a zero-tolerance policy on homophobia and transphobia, especially at this time when hostility towards LGBTQ + people is sadly on the rise again.”
With its great range of beers, relaxed colourful interiors and loyal local crowd, The Twelve Taps shows how inclusivity and good hospitality can go hand in hand.
THE ALLEY BAR THE TWELVE TAPS
34 • www. insidekent. co. uk