"Drag queens love everytime of the year, but we especially love Christmas as we get to make the most money!," says Jonny Woo, drag performer and co-owner of the Divine, the newest queer bar at the heart of Dalston, 

Jonny was  behind the iconic club The Glory and has been instrumental in fostering inclusive spaces for London’s drag culture, places that anyone with an idea for a show can take to the stage—whether they are a novice or an experienced luvvie. 

Hosting Xmas markets, serving festival drinks and decked with Santa balloons, the Divine goes hard on Christmas. So, we've asked Jonny and the family Woo on their best spots for a cozy camp Christmas in London. 

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The Nelson's Head has recently reopened as a gay bar, and it's a very cozy place. You can get a beautiful Sunday lunch there as well!

Nelson's Head

The Divine is unhinged, so be ready for an unhinged crazy Christmas!  
It's also good for a cozy, cozy Christmas drink. 

Nightlife

The Divine

Cozy Christmas in the city starts off along Columbia Road. They do carols, lots of Christmassy shops there, and obviously the beautiful markets are very, very festive.

Market

Columbia Road Flower Market

Dalston Superstore down the road from the Divine is a great place to snuggle up to the queer community at Christmas.

Art Gallery

Nightclub

Dalston Superstore

Somerset House is nice and cozy to skate at Christmas because of the beautiful, luscious surroundings of the architecture being in the centre of London—I think London always manages to give everyone in the city a big hug Christmas!

ice skating

Somerset House Ice Skating RIng

DJ, Shy One plays an eclectic range of music on her sets. From grime to hip-hop and jazz, her sound reflects the rich cultural history of her London home, a city she can only really describe as wildly "diverse." Having lived in the city so long, she has seemingly experienced London's many layers, and has over time found the underground culture and niche spots that attract likeminded people.

From queer clubs to vegan Caribbean spots, we caught up with Shy One at Peckham's 

 over this weekend to uncover many of her favourite event spaces, bars, restaurants and music venues -- some of which have a particular focus on celebrating the LGBTQ+ and Black community.

I love TOLA on Peckham High Street. It's in the heart of Peckham and has a great rooftop.

My friends do cute stuff at Ridley Road Market Bar -- it has a jazzy soul vibe.

An LGBT+ space which is a club, cafe and gallery. A great meeting spot for friends and having a night out.

Rye Wax is one of the favourite spots, definitely a place I’d pass by if I’m in Peckham just to see what’s going on.

This is an indoor spot just off Rye Lane, you can get amazing food. Any food stalls that aren't dressed up -- those are the ones you wanna go into as that's really where you find the best food.

Vegan and run by Rastas. I love it! I get a bit of everything when I go there. Love the tofu.

They've got bangin' cocktails, natural wines, they do coffee in the day time. The staff they've got there are wonderful.

Another Black-owned venue. It's in Hackney Wick, there's a lot of amazing people who play in there. Amazing staff, security, everything! Has a great sound system and is a wonderful programme.

VSource is another vegan Jamaican place opposite Brockwell park.

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Shy One's Favourite Places To Experience Culture in London

Ryan Lanji and Sheerah Ravindren are both prominent figures within London’s queer community; both are working towards making the city become a more inclusive space for queer people of colour.

Multi-hyphenate is a word that can truly be applied to Lanji, who founded the South Asian collective and queer Bollywood club night Hungama. Aside from this, he works as a TV personality, an art and fashion curator, and founded NDY (Not Dead Yet) – an initiative that's turning queer club nights into fitness classes. Furthermore, he’s the winner of Netflix's reality series 

Sheerah Ravindren is a model and force to be reckoned with. A vocal and respected activist and advocate for the South Asian Tamil community, Ravindren consistently uses their platform to speak up against systems of oppression. Last year, they graced the cover of 

Together, Lanji and Ravindren have teamed up for a list of spots to hit up in east London. “Sheerah and I believe that all spaces should be for queer people and queer South Asian people,” Lanji said. “As two queer South Asian-identifying people we wanted to support independent and alternative places that embrace us and allow us to not feel our skin colour.” Scroll down for their list of independent spots, and head 

 to listen to an accompanying Buy Music Club playlist, entitled The People's Places.

Independent coffee shops are where you should be spending your time and your money. The eponymous cafe is a place of eclectic trinkets, amazing coffee and a hub for the east London cool cats who actually have something to say and contribute.

Waste is a radically independent punk/lifestyle store collaborating with artists and most importantly upcycling garments. The store itself is a visceral mosaic of subculture references, amazing finds and, as Sheerah mentions, a manifestation of what lives in her head rent free.

Aurum recently opened in Netil Markets community and is a women-owned and run shop providing people with pure gold piercing. The shop itself is stunning and Karly is such a dream. Aurum buys your gold, resells pure gold and its beautiful aesthetic of vintage gold is stun.

Across of Aurum is one of the market's most well-curated designer vintage shops. An industrial display of fashion house finds and rave culture mixed with some of the most important artefacts from culture is second to none. Also hang out for a bit to get to know the owner; she lives and loves her items as much as we love culture.

When in doubt, always stop for oysters. Fin & Flounder is a family-run fishmonger and they are so sweet to keep our oyster addiction at bay. Get it... oyster bay?!

Okko is a Broadway Markets iconic sushi and Japanese restaurant whose chile margaritas are like that spicy nice taste of summer. If you are there for a short while grab some tacos, but if you have some time try the incredible rolls and fusion treats.

Sheerah has been meaning to stop by here for ages and it’s a treasure trove of belts, buckles and S&M NRG. We raided the place and got ourselves bespoke belts made on the spot and fell in love with the owners and staff.

This new hot spot on Well Street in E9 was recommended by our mate Shimmy. Irish and Punjabi is a combo I never thought I’d hear, but it’s a taste you’ll forever crave. They had Irish oyster remixed Panjabi MC-style and the cauliflower cheese paratha was heaven in a mouthful. You must try it!

Exploring East London’s Independent Spots With Ryan Lanji and Sheerah Ravindren

Picture Notting Hill Carnival meets London Pride and you’ve got the vibe that club night Queer Bruk is going for. In the same way that Queer Bruk provides a space for freedom and escapism through sweating it out on the dancefloor, swimming has been able to provide the same by day for founder Akeil.

“I think that in the Black community and queer community there can be a feeling that every day is political, a struggle, something else that they're having to contend with. And so I think that bodies of water can act as an oasis or escape.”

Deep dive into Akeil’s guide to his favourite spots near the capital to switch off, bring the carnival vibe with you, or just take time out and meditate. Brought to you by 

 and Trippin as a part of Open Waters, helping people of all backgrounds navigate the waters.

Incredible beach with an amazingly (and somewhat surprisingly) diverse and safe atmosphere. Margate is rich with culture that is slowly but surely becoming more diverse, making it a great place for people of colour and LGBTQ+ people. 


Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: Lifeguard 

Stanborough Park is a 126 acre plot of land that has two lakes that are beautiful. While swimming isn’t allowed, it’s an amazing place to take part in canoeing, kayaking and other water sports - Welwyn is still relatively close to London, also!

Swim Level: Not for Swimming 

Public Transport: Yes

Facilities: Yes
