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London’s lesbian renaissance hasn’t died yet: southeast is about to get a new sapphic venue. After successful crowdfunding, the community-focused Dorothy's will open in Camberwell soon. We truly love to see it.
In recent times, London welcomed what was quickly known as a lesbian renaissance, thanks to the opening of new FLINTA bars La Camionera and Goldie Saloon (RIP) in Hackney, buzzing club nights, and community events like the London Dyke March and Dyke Market. But with many queer spots basing themselves in the east of the capital, it’s very welcome news indeed that SE London has another LGBTQ+ venue on the way.
Co-founders Molly McCabe and Beth White launched a fundraiser to take over the former St George’s Tavern in Camberwell and turn it into sapphic pub Dorothy’s. They want the space to be not just ‘another bar’ but a ‘real queer home’. It’s located behind Burgess Park on the corner of (amazingly) Rainbow Street. They have managed to raise £46,116 so far.
Dorothy’s said on its fundraiser: ‘For years, queer spaces in London have been disappearing, and lesbian spaces have been hit hardest.
‘Right now, there are only a tiny handful of dedicated lesbian venues left in the entire UK. At the same time, so many queer people, especially lesbians, trans people and non-binary people, still struggle to find places where they can fully relax, socialise and feel safe being themselves.’
Dorothy’s will be London’s third dedicated lesbian venue, after the café and cocktail bar Goldie Saloon closed down in 2025. It will join Well Street’s La Camionera and SHE in Soho. It’s also not too far from beloved queer-owned pub the Old Nun’s Head.
The new community pub will be ‘warm, welcoming, and joyful’ built around ‘genuinely inclusive hospitality’. There will be drinks by queer-owned brands, seasonal food from queer chefs and kitchens as well as live music, cabaret and drag shows.
Dorothy’s opening date has not been set yet, but watch this space.
Here’s why Camberwell was deemed one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world last year.
Plus: One of London’s best independent music venues could be under threat.
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