Search

Candy Bar

4 Carlisle Street, W1D 3BJ Full details & map

Clubs

Time Out says 3 Users say 2/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Jun 18 2010

Kim Lucas, who founded this flagship lesbian venue in 1996, upped sticks in 2008 and escaped the recession, but the Candy Bar's new owners are working hard to keep the party vibe alive.

Mostly open from late afternoon only, the door policed by a uniformed lady with an ominous luminous armband ('pay in after 9pm,' she'll declare at weekends), it's a tiny venue, especially considering the publicity it has generated.

Seating space is at a premium, whether at the window or on bright pink bar stools at the counter. Beneath gaudy disco balls, reasonably priced standard cocktails are served to girls who drink fast during generous happy hours and then just keep on going.

DJ Wicked spins tunes when attention is focused on the erotic dancing: this was the first women-only bar in the UK to be granted a striptease licence (pole dancing takes place in the bijou basement).

Tags: Cocktails, Central, Soho, Dance, R&B, soul & funk, Lesbian only, Bar, DJ/Club bar, Club

Comment 3 Tweet

Candy Bar details

Address

Candy Bar

4 Carlisle Street W1D 3BJ

Transport Tottenham Court Road tube

Telephone

020 7287 5041

Candy Bar website

Open 4pm-3am Mon-Sat; 4-12.30am Sun

Admission free; £4 after 9pm Fri, Sat

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Disabled ( toilet ), Entertainment ( DJs Tue-Sun 9pm 1st and 3rd Fri of month, 1st Sat of month )

Candy Bar map

Expand the map

Restaurants & cafés near Candy Bar

See all restaurants near Candy Bar

Bars & pubs near Candy Bar

See all bars & pubs near Candy Bar

Want to eat? See Restaurants & Cafés

Share your thoughts

Name (will appear on the site) *
Email (will not appear on the site) *
Add a star rating Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.
Enter text...
Tick to receive relevant updates from Time Out including news, events, offers and competitions.

* Mandatory fields for leaving a comment

Comments & ratings 2/5 (Average of 3 ratings)

By Spamcatt - Dec 19 2011

1/5

A place that does not live up to the hype. Unfriendly atmosphere, unfriendly staff and some seriously aggressive door staff make this a miserable place to go. A shame this is one of the few places lesbians have to go as their own space in London. I'd rather stay at home.

Report

By Susan - Nov 26 2011

5/5

It may not be perfect but where is? At least you know with candy the girls are important and there'll be no leery men or the need to defend your lesbianism. Girls can just be and enjoy.

Also with the *social soirée* on a thursday night for women who want to meet other women in a relaxed environment and make friends, karaoke on a wednesday, student night on a monday and of course friday through sunday of great tunes, great DJs and more women than you could shake a stick at.

There's seating upstairs, stools and seating on the middle floor with the disabled toilet and awesome bar (cocktails...ummm...) then downstairs it's the basement for dancing and space to move.

A great place, a great vibe and great adaptability. There's comedy nights, film showings and spaces to book for more private gatherings.

*Just remember* the staff have friends too even if they don't wear badges marking them as such.

Report

By candypants - May 29 2011

1/5

The girl who worked there at the top of the stairs, was counting the people going downstairs and coming back upstairs. From my observations she was slapping femme girls' buttocks and stroking the palms of their hands.

The drunk girls on the dance floor throwing drinks on each other was in abundance. Not being a party pooper - but the floor was to slippery and dangerous to dance on- staff were aware and gave five napkins to mop the floor with.

Overall the experience was entertaining - however not for the right reasons.