Goodbye Sundowners, hello Thanet LGBTQ+ venues
While one of Thanet's iconic queer spaces shuts up for good, there are a number of LGBTQ+ spaces you can still head to
Sundowners, a Margate institution, closes tonight.
For some, it’s the end of an era. Opened in 2006, the seafront bar is Margate’s longest running queer venue, where many drunken disheveled nights played out, the kind that go down in friendship folklore. The kind that sees you having a spin on the pole or pulling your back cutting shapes. The kind that sees you watching Tia Kofi or a trashy Dolly Parton impersonator on the balcony as the sun goes down while you drink an iridescent blue cocktail served in a fishbowl. The kind of night that takes you two days to recover from, but you still think it was worth it.
While part of the venue’s appeal is that it is somewhat of a crusty relic of an earlier Margate, perhaps not keeping up with the town’s stride has been part of its demise. Newer venues Camp and Margate Arts Club are different beasts; brighter and bubblier, queer cultural wellsprings without Sundowner’s seedy baggage.
After a spike in violent crimes recorded at the venue, Thanet's District Commander called for new management in 2017. Sundowners claimed it was targeted, the victim of homophobic attacks. The thorny relationship between the police and pub continued to the end, with claims the venue was still being targeted, not just for its queerness, but because of its previous owner.
Sundowners announced its closure as former owner Duncan Bayles went on trial to be found guilty of 12 indecent assault charges against children aged below 14 years, six counts of indecency with a child charges and one of attempted rape. Perhaps this is too great a weight for a business to carry and it’s better to close this chapter as Margate continues to cement itself as an inclusive, friendly and safe community for all.
Whatever you think of Sundowners, it is yet another queer space to bite the dust; one of the many much-needed community hubs in UK and across the globe to shutter up for good. These venues have been felled for a number of reasons that in recent times have been exacerbated by the rising cost of living, the pandemic, spikes in rates and Brexit. In the time since Sundowners first opened its doors, London has lost more than half its gay bars.
While you’ll find many inclusive venues and spaces across Thanet that make sure they are welcoming to everybody, here are the area’s remaining (and incoming) venues waving the rainbow flag.
LGBTQ+ bars, clubs and venues in Thanet
Margate Arts Club
More than just a club with a calendar of fun party nights and DJs, Margate Arts Clubs hosts drag nights, queer cabaret and performance art bashes, as well as talks, creative workshops and community events in the daytime. Find it at 276 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2PT.
Camp
Opened in 2022, the small and colourful bar, also has a busy programme of events. From trivia nights and book clubs, to DJs, karaoke trivia nights, shows and kids parties, Camp may be snug but it packs a lot in. Find it 125 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2QY.
Salon Du Miel/Sugar Rush
A Ramsgate cabaret and comedy venue by the Sugar Rush team who put on a stack of arts, community and family events. Eclectic programming ensures there’s something for everyone, whether you’re hoping to catch alt performance, or you're a queer family looking for something to do. Find Salon Du Miel at Broad Street, Ramsgate, CT11 8NQ, and Sugar Rush at 29-31 High Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9AG.
La!
While Sundowners may be Margate's longest running gay bar, it wasn’t the first. Proud Pink Inns, which took over Sundowners last October, will open a new venue called La! on the site of the former Madhouse bar, which most recently housed Build-a-Burger. The team is aiming for a November 23 open, so watch this space. When it opens, find it 13-15 High Street, Margate, CT9 1DL.
