The Black Cap

Pub in Camden
The Black Cap image
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No longer at this address

Our records show that The Black Cap is closed.

Address
171 Camden High Street
Camden
London
NW1 7JY
Map
Region
Camden
Nearest Station
Camden Town
0.10 miles
Category
Pubs
Other Branches
Six Continents Retail

The Black Cap is a gay bar that has DJs 7 days a week playing a variety of music. They serve drinks and a selection of food. Catering for private parties of up to 250 guests is available upon request and seating on the terrace area is provided, weather permitting.

All In London Review

Camden’s only gay pub

The Black Cap has long been Camden’s only gay venue, and it looks set to continue its reign unabated. There’s been a pub on this site since at least the 1750s, however its beginnings are rather murky – it takes its name from a local witch who was suspected of killing her lovers. Mother Black Cap, as she was known, was often sighted collecting herbs and weeds, with a black cat trailing behind her and sporting a cap and shawl, an outfit that would surely make the glamorous nightly performers here quake in their stilettos.

Despite its shabby exterior the inside of this pub is polished and cosy, in particular upstairs, where the shiny wooden floors and chandeliers are at odds with its grubby black façade. This is the more laidback of the two rooms, as downstairs is where the cabaret and drag performances the venue is famed for take place until the early hours of the morning. Since the 1970s, The Black Cap has been one of London’s best known drag venues alongside the Royal Vauxhall Tavern and Molly Moggs – at one point labelling itself “the palladium of drag” – with artists like Lilly Savage having treaded its floor.

It’s not all sequins and lip-gloss however, as earlier in the evening this is the kind of neighbourhood pub that sees gay locals popping in for a pint after work, but heterosexuals will find they are welcome too. The garden, with its hanging baskets of flowers and general greenery is another unexpectedly pretty oasis bang in the middle of Camden Town.

You’ll find an average selection of beers (Carlsberg, Fosters, Corona) at around £3.50 a pint/bottle, but there are regular drinks offers in place. There is pub grub too, like fish and chips, wraps and burgers. Admission prices only kick in after 10 pm and are never more than £4, the performances usually start at midnight.

Reviewed by Leila
Published on Jul 22, 2011


User Reviews

Anonymous

Aug 11, 2009

The Black Cap is a popular bar in a good location, well situated next to the tube. It is an establishment of two halves: the upper bar and the lower dance floor/club room. The upper bar offers very good value for money; esepcially on bar food. Good deals such as burger and a drink for less than £4. The quality of the food is usually satisfactory or better. What is missing from the bar is good quality customer service. Often bar staff are rude and come across as being unprofessional. They are often short-staffed and some customers feel uncomfortable with the 'judgemental' looks and comments made by a few; including senior bar staff.
The upper bar plays good music and there is an outdoor seating area which is popular and well used. The clientele ranges; most are gay men and women but this bar is also frequented by hetrosexual guests.

The downstairs disco/club room is much better. Staff work in 'club mode' and drinks are served more professionally. DJs play excellent music and the dance floor is popular. It's friendly, welcoming atmosphere twinned with high quality music, make the downstairs a good place to be.

I think the upper bar would be better, if more staff worked in busy periods and perhaps if senior management reviewed performance of key bar staff.