The Black Cap will make a grand entrance on March 21 after being lovingly restored as a drag pub and cabaret venue in a £2 million makeover.
First look photos reveal neon artwork, red velvet seating and glamorous lighting – along with heritage posters and artefacts referencing the pub’s past.
The original Black Cap pub sign is on display in the bar, and the widower of Paul O’Grady – aka Lily Savage – has loaned treasured artefacts from the star’s career which included early performances at the pub.
A state-of-the-art sound and lighting system has been installed, and outside lighting will announce its return to Camden High Street.
Since closing is doors in 2015 the LGBTQ+ venue has been through trials and tribulations with squatters, weather damage, and a threat to turn it into flats.
But a heartfelt campaign by activists – which included weekly vigils outside pub – helped to secure its future under new owners LT Management.
The refurb reflects the LGBTQ+ community and Camden Council’s desire to celebrate its cultural heritage as an alternative venue where drag acts such as Lily Savage, Regina Fong and Mrs Shufflewick performed from the 1950s onwards.
The pub offered a haven where the community could gather and express themselves freely.
The all-ticket opening event will relaunch The Black Cap as the ‘Palladium of Drag’ – a queer performance space celebrating cabaret and live entertainment.
Star acts due to appear in the coming months, include Aidan Sandler – described as the ‘Demonic David Bowie’ – Welsh drag queen Anita Fag, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Baga Chipz, and musical theatre drag artist Tiana Biscuit.
The pub itself dates back more than 250 years and the name derives from either a witch named Jenny Bingham or the black cap worn by judges when passing the death sentence.
Jean-Charles Sibille from LT Management said: “We have been very mindful of the venue’s history and have worked hard to preserve its character while giving it a new lease of life.
“The refurbishment includes a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system inspired by leading Ibiza venues, and the building will feature vibrant external lighting designed to make it a landmark once again on Camden High Street.
“Most importantly, the reopening will create 36 new jobs, and we are proud to be welcoming a diverse team of staff to run this historic venue.”
The venue will be managed by Rafa Motycki, who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and a former performer with connections to Camden’s music and entertainment scene.
Drag performer and Black Cap campaigner Alex Green said: “We are so happy that The Black Cap has been saved and sympathetically restored to celebrate its history. It will finally reopen as a safe and fabulous venue for our community.
“It has taken more than a decade of campaigning, and I’m hugely proud of the campaign team, Camden Council and the new investors for doing the right thing.
“But most of all I’m proud of the LGBTQ+ and local community for standing firm and saving this iconic and historically important landmark.”
