RUPERT STREET – FROM NEW LAUNCH TO NEW YEAR
SPECIAL REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
31ST DECEMBER 2009
Well, having been around on the gAylist scene across London for many a year now, we have certainly seen loads of changes, plenty of clubs come & go, have been part of some truly iconic, nay, legendary ones, have seen many of faces appear & disappear too, not to mention a whole host of bars close down & even more open. But through it all there has been one bar for us, one venue, that has not just withheld the ravages of the constant movement in a fickle scene, the pressures of revisions in legislation, including the devastation caused by changes to the smoking laws and not least the recent economic downturn, resulting on one of the biggest recessions in over 80 years, but has rather thrived, moving with the times unabated, introducing new aspects to its offer & even revamping to keep things fresh, setting it aside from any other bar we know.
We are, of course, talking about Rupert Street, the bar that never fails to grab our attention and has certainly done that during December, as not only has it gone through a complete refurbishment, but it has played host to our very own birthday soiree as well as steering us out of 2009, seeing in the New Year in some style. So, we only thought it fair to devote a special review, not just in accolade of these three events, but to a bar & venue that has meant more to us than any other. We have seen so many changes, not just to the team, to the management, but to the venue itself over the years, this last month being extra special for us in many ways. So, sit back as we take you on a Rupert Street ride, recollecting, in its hands, a December to savour.
Well, it all kicked off on 3rd, when, after having been closed for the biggest refurbishment & change in its history, was swinging back open its doors for a special VIP launch party, before letting the general public take a peek at the new look. With a scheduled start of 5 p.m., we made best plans to finish work early, but you know what they say about those and it was gone 6 p.m. before we left home for the dash into Soho to fulfil our invitation. Arriving in a flustered state, it was clear that many had made it before us, as the place was brimming with a truly gAylist crowd, including club promoter of the year, Logan Schmitz & boyfriend Michael, operator extra-ordinaire Jimmy Smith, the top brass of Mitchells & Butlers’ gay division, Matinee London & Evolved Events supremo Oliver Mohns, Q.X. magazine’s bar section queen Jules Ivins and loads of long standing Rupert Street regulars, all savouring the new look.
We made a bee-line for resident D.J. Alessandro, who was standing at the top of the bar and enforced a guided tour of the changes, first looking over the revamped elevated seating section, all pink & gorgeous, then the completely new mobile D.J. booth, a smart addition indeed, as was the massive glamorous antique style sofa dominating the far wall. But the changes continued, with sophisticated glass light shades all around, mixed in with more modernistic lighting across the huge window expanse, although the biggest changes was to the bar area, both front & back, as no expense had been spared in transforming the area. Gone were the myriad of shelves which covered the back-bar, to be superseded with stylish & minimal pieces of glass replacements, the previous clutter being sacrificed for clean & smart lines. The bar top was a complete transformation, with the green marble effect gone, clever neon lighting filling the expanse, changing through the whole spectrum of bright prime colours in glittering display, as did those minimal back bar shelves, not to mention down the extent of the front of the bar, which we found covered in a slinky silver texture. Even the imposing screens, which used to hang above the bar, in a G.A.Y. sort of way, had been neatly tucked against the walls adding to the much classier & more sophisticated feel of the bar, the new atmospheric flashing & swinging multi coloured spots adding a new dimension to the whole space.
Savouring the extent of the changes, we took advantage of the free flowing drinks and mingled with the crowd a bit, before the first call of nature dropped us down the stairs to the toilets, being more than underwhelmed by the complete lack of change to what, perhaps of any part of the old Rupert Street, needed the most attention. Back up in the bar, we caught up with Assistant Manager Chris, who looked pleased as punch with the bar’s transformation, although the debate over the conveniences below continued, before we headed out to the door to catch up with G.M. Cathy for the first time since arriving, getting her full view on the superb changes, then returning back to the bar & seeing out the rest of the VIP launch, before heading off to our regular Thursday outing at Industri.
But the full on mother of all launches was still to come, as Friday was set to be the big day for Rupert Street, although, yet again, work commitments meant we were chasing our tail, making it to the bar just after 9 p.m., but finding the place absolutely jammed packed to the rafters, hardly being able to see all the glorious changes we had the previous day. But none of it, as we headed straight for the new D.J. booth, where Alessandro was spinning some superb tunes in advance of the special P.A. performance ahead. There we found another D.J. pal, Hugh Stevenson, soaking up the amazing atmosphere, as well as plenty of regulars, including Phil Gahan & Chrissy Rees, all throwing themselves into the festivities of the night, sharing champagne with us to get us into the party mood too.
And the night was set to take on an octane fuelled pace as the supreme diva, house vocalist Katherine Ellis arrived, advanced by her entourage, who prepared both the impromptu stage & the sound for her performance, the excitement was at fever pitch. Then, with an introduction to a string of songs making an immediate impact, it seemed the crowd were not only stunned by her presence, but amazed that a venue such as Rupert Street had landed such a star. In true diva style, Katherine mixed with the crowd, injecting real energy to proceedings and by the time she came to singing her massive hit “Salty” the bar was absolutely rocking, although we had to make a premature leave as work issues dragged us away. However, the news coming our way, post the launch, was that the night was a resounding success.
With our Rupert Street month rolling on with more than one weekly visit & our birthday now on the horizon, we simply couldn’t choose a better place to toast our anniversary with a super champagne soiree, inviting some special friends to a Sunday gathering on the 20th, the actual day of our birthday. However, with plans to self indulge & take it easy during the day laid to waste by an audacious visit to Beyond (our favourite club of now), we arrived at the bar feeling delicate to say the least. However, in true to form style, we held our own as a select yet beautiful list of invited guests arrived, first D.J. Alessandro pitching up a little later than planned but in time for the 6 p.m. start, declaring the need for “champaaaayne”, then Oliver Mohns & Robb Williams not far behind, signalling the popping of many corks throughout the night. Other super guests included fierce partner in crime Lexi, Industri pal Chris, sexy clubbing pal Sean Day & boyf, as well as the magnificent Minty, who had torn herself away from work especially for the occasion, not to mention D.J. legend Gonzalo who graciously wished us a happy birthday.
Mind you, we were missing a few special people, but having caught up with most across our busy birthday weekend, our soiree at Rupert Street ended up being just perfect, if a little drunken, our count of champagne bottles consumed going off the scale. And it was all made even better by Alessandro, who played out an absolutely incredible set, his perfect choice of music not only hitting our spot, but receiving rapturous commendation from the two other D.J.’s in our midst, Oliver & Gonzalo. Having seen him in action so many times, not just at Rupert Street, but at Matinee & many other clubs, this special performance ranked as the best we have heard from this talent who has come so far in the last few months, ranking him up with the best on the gAylist London scene.
So, was the month & visits to Rupert Street over? absolutely not, as having the first New Year’s Eve free of work commitments & Brent Nicholls being the D.J. for the night, we simply had to see in 2010 at the bar that has meant so much to us over the years. Tearing ourselves away from the computer & giving up on finishing our review of 2009 in time for the turn of the decade, we headed to Soho, arriving in the need of desperate convenience relief (too many beers already!), but then made our way to the D.J. booth, greeting a smiling Brent & then grabbing drinks to kick off our slide into The New Year. And slide we did, in the company of Brad & co who were in definite party mood at the end of the bar, cavorting around & adding to the excitement & anticipation of the dawn of a new decade.
Brent was also making a big contribution to the party mood, playing out some terrific tunes, not least our fave of the year, Soul Avengerz’s “Drop The Bomb”, taking us right up till midnight, when the screens signalled the countdown the 2010. We hurriedly compared watch times with Cathy & crew as to when the moment would hit and then, as it did, rapturous cheers erupted around the bar and not for the first time this month, champagne corks popped, the golden liquor flowing, with our glasses being filled on more than one occasion. With the whole Rupert team gathered around, with Cathy present, but moreover Brent Nicholls right there to toast the arrival of a New Year, we couldn’t have seen in 2010 in better company & style, we suspect more sedate than some, but superb nevertheless, rounding off a magnificent month in the hands of this brilliant bar.
In conclusion, all that is left to say is, Rupert Street has formed a special part of our life and in over twelve years of existence has undoubtedly been the one single venue across gAylist London that has been responsible for some of the happiest times, some of the saddest moments, some of the angriest reactions, yet resulting in some of the strongest friendships we have ever developed. Yes, all the emotions have been there, but it remains one of our favourite haunts, with the friendliest staff we know anywhere and looking so great on an incredible twelve years of operation. We are sure that it will continue to be a part of our life for many more years to come, its irresistible charm dragging us in relentlessly, but then we aren’t complaining about that at all. (DISCO MATT)
SPECIAL REVIEW FOR SEENQUEEN
31ST DECEMBER 2009
Well, having been around on the gAylist scene across London for many a year now, we have certainly seen loads of changes, plenty of clubs come & go, have been part of some truly iconic, nay, legendary ones, have seen many of faces appear & disappear too, not to mention a whole host of bars close down & even more open. But through it all there has been one bar for us, one venue, that has not just withheld the ravages of the constant movement in a fickle scene, the pressures of revisions in legislation, including the devastation caused by changes to the smoking laws and not least the recent economic downturn, resulting on one of the biggest recessions in over 80 years, but has rather thrived, moving with the times unabated, introducing new aspects to its offer & even revamping to keep things fresh, setting it aside from any other bar we know.
We are, of course, talking about Rupert Street, the bar that never fails to grab our attention and has certainly done that during December, as not only has it gone through a complete refurbishment, but it has played host to our very own birthday soiree as well as steering us out of 2009, seeing in the New Year in some style. So, we only thought it fair to devote a special review, not just in accolade of these three events, but to a bar & venue that has meant more to us than any other. We have seen so many changes, not just to the team, to the management, but to the venue itself over the years, this last month being extra special for us in many ways. So, sit back as we take you on a Rupert Street ride, recollecting, in its hands, a December to savour.
Well, it all kicked off on 3rd, when, after having been closed for the biggest refurbishment & change in its history, was swinging back open its doors for a special VIP launch party, before letting the general public take a peek at the new look. With a scheduled start of 5 p.m., we made best plans to finish work early, but you know what they say about those and it was gone 6 p.m. before we left home for the dash into Soho to fulfil our invitation. Arriving in a flustered state, it was clear that many had made it before us, as the place was brimming with a truly gAylist crowd, including club promoter of the year, Logan Schmitz & boyfriend Michael, operator extra-ordinaire Jimmy Smith, the top brass of Mitchells & Butlers’ gay division, Matinee London & Evolved Events supremo Oliver Mohns, Q.X. magazine’s bar section queen Jules Ivins and loads of long standing Rupert Street regulars, all savouring the new look.
We made a bee-line for resident D.J. Alessandro, who was standing at the top of the bar and enforced a guided tour of the changes, first looking over the revamped elevated seating section, all pink & gorgeous, then the completely new mobile D.J. booth, a smart addition indeed, as was the massive glamorous antique style sofa dominating the far wall. But the changes continued, with sophisticated glass light shades all around, mixed in with more modernistic lighting across the huge window expanse, although the biggest changes was to the bar area, both front & back, as no expense had been spared in transforming the area. Gone were the myriad of shelves which covered the back-bar, to be superseded with stylish & minimal pieces of glass replacements, the previous clutter being sacrificed for clean & smart lines. The bar top was a complete transformation, with the green marble effect gone, clever neon lighting filling the expanse, changing through the whole spectrum of bright prime colours in glittering display, as did those minimal back bar shelves, not to mention down the extent of the front of the bar, which we found covered in a slinky silver texture. Even the imposing screens, which used to hang above the bar, in a G.A.Y. sort of way, had been neatly tucked against the walls adding to the much classier & more sophisticated feel of the bar, the new atmospheric flashing & swinging multi coloured spots adding a new dimension to the whole space.
Savouring the extent of the changes, we took advantage of the free flowing drinks and mingled with the crowd a bit, before the first call of nature dropped us down the stairs to the toilets, being more than underwhelmed by the complete lack of change to what, perhaps of any part of the old Rupert Street, needed the most attention. Back up in the bar, we caught up with Assistant Manager Chris, who looked pleased as punch with the bar’s transformation, although the debate over the conveniences below continued, before we headed out to the door to catch up with G.M. Cathy for the first time since arriving, getting her full view on the superb changes, then returning back to the bar & seeing out the rest of the VIP launch, before heading off to our regular Thursday outing at Industri.
But the full on mother of all launches was still to come, as Friday was set to be the big day for Rupert Street, although, yet again, work commitments meant we were chasing our tail, making it to the bar just after 9 p.m., but finding the place absolutely jammed packed to the rafters, hardly being able to see all the glorious changes we had the previous day. But none of it, as we headed straight for the new D.J. booth, where Alessandro was spinning some superb tunes in advance of the special P.A. performance ahead. There we found another D.J. pal, Hugh Stevenson, soaking up the amazing atmosphere, as well as plenty of regulars, including Phil Gahan & Chrissy Rees, all throwing themselves into the festivities of the night, sharing champagne with us to get us into the party mood too.
And the night was set to take on an octane fuelled pace as the supreme diva, house vocalist Katherine Ellis arrived, advanced by her entourage, who prepared both the impromptu stage & the sound for her performance, the excitement was at fever pitch. Then, with an introduction to a string of songs making an immediate impact, it seemed the crowd were not only stunned by her presence, but amazed that a venue such as Rupert Street had landed such a star. In true diva style, Katherine mixed with the crowd, injecting real energy to proceedings and by the time she came to singing her massive hit “Salty” the bar was absolutely rocking, although we had to make a premature leave as work issues dragged us away. However, the news coming our way, post the launch, was that the night was a resounding success.
With our Rupert Street month rolling on with more than one weekly visit & our birthday now on the horizon, we simply couldn’t choose a better place to toast our anniversary with a super champagne soiree, inviting some special friends to a Sunday gathering on the 20th, the actual day of our birthday. However, with plans to self indulge & take it easy during the day laid to waste by an audacious visit to Beyond (our favourite club of now), we arrived at the bar feeling delicate to say the least. However, in true to form style, we held our own as a select yet beautiful list of invited guests arrived, first D.J. Alessandro pitching up a little later than planned but in time for the 6 p.m. start, declaring the need for “champaaaayne”, then Oliver Mohns & Robb Williams not far behind, signalling the popping of many corks throughout the night. Other super guests included fierce partner in crime Lexi, Industri pal Chris, sexy clubbing pal Sean Day & boyf, as well as the magnificent Minty, who had torn herself away from work especially for the occasion, not to mention D.J. legend Gonzalo who graciously wished us a happy birthday.
Mind you, we were missing a few special people, but having caught up with most across our busy birthday weekend, our soiree at Rupert Street ended up being just perfect, if a little drunken, our count of champagne bottles consumed going off the scale. And it was all made even better by Alessandro, who played out an absolutely incredible set, his perfect choice of music not only hitting our spot, but receiving rapturous commendation from the two other D.J.’s in our midst, Oliver & Gonzalo. Having seen him in action so many times, not just at Rupert Street, but at Matinee & many other clubs, this special performance ranked as the best we have heard from this talent who has come so far in the last few months, ranking him up with the best on the gAylist London scene.
So, was the month & visits to Rupert Street over? absolutely not, as having the first New Year’s Eve free of work commitments & Brent Nicholls being the D.J. for the night, we simply had to see in 2010 at the bar that has meant so much to us over the years. Tearing ourselves away from the computer & giving up on finishing our review of 2009 in time for the turn of the decade, we headed to Soho, arriving in the need of desperate convenience relief (too many beers already!), but then made our way to the D.J. booth, greeting a smiling Brent & then grabbing drinks to kick off our slide into The New Year. And slide we did, in the company of Brad & co who were in definite party mood at the end of the bar, cavorting around & adding to the excitement & anticipation of the dawn of a new decade.
Brent was also making a big contribution to the party mood, playing out some terrific tunes, not least our fave of the year, Soul Avengerz’s “Drop The Bomb”, taking us right up till midnight, when the screens signalled the countdown the 2010. We hurriedly compared watch times with Cathy & crew as to when the moment would hit and then, as it did, rapturous cheers erupted around the bar and not for the first time this month, champagne corks popped, the golden liquor flowing, with our glasses being filled on more than one occasion. With the whole Rupert team gathered around, with Cathy present, but moreover Brent Nicholls right there to toast the arrival of a New Year, we couldn’t have seen in 2010 in better company & style, we suspect more sedate than some, but superb nevertheless, rounding off a magnificent month in the hands of this brilliant bar.
In conclusion, all that is left to say is, Rupert Street has formed a special part of our life and in over twelve years of existence has undoubtedly been the one single venue across gAylist London that has been responsible for some of the happiest times, some of the saddest moments, some of the angriest reactions, yet resulting in some of the strongest friendships we have ever developed. Yes, all the emotions have been there, but it remains one of our favourite haunts, with the friendliest staff we know anywhere and looking so great on an incredible twelve years of operation. We are sure that it will continue to be a part of our life for many more years to come, its irresistible charm dragging us in relentlessly, but then we aren’t complaining about that at all. (DISCO MATT)
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