Candy Bar, Soho

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Candy Bar was a lesbian bar that was based in Carlisle Street in Soho, London.[1] It was started in 1996 by Kim Lucas who decorated the interior pink and provided lap and pole dancing.[2][3] Men were allowed into the bar if accompanied by a woman.[4]

Candy Bar, Soho
The exterior of Candy Bar in 2013
Coordinates51°30′53.64″N 0°8′0.96″W / 51.5149000°N 0.1336000°W / 51.5149000; -0.1336000
Founded1996
OwnerKim Lucas
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name4, CARLISLE STREET W1
Designated23-Nov-1978
Reference no.1066346

In 2011, the bar was sold by Lucas to Gary Henshaw, owner of the Ku chain of London gay bars. New management brought in by Henshaw toned down the bright pink decoration.[3] The bar was featured in a Channel 5 six-part fly-on-the-wall documentary series named Candy Bar Girls.[5]

The bar closed in January 2014 following an increase in rents.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Historic England. "4, CARLISLE STREET W1 (1066346)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Candy Bar". Time Out.
  3. ^ a b Margolis, Eleanor (27 October 2013). "Lesbians mourn as Soho's Candy Bar announces it will close". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Claire Gervat; Francesca Gavin (2006). Night + Day London. ASDavis Media Group. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-9766013-7-1.
  5. ^ "New reality TV show on Soho lesbian bar". Pink News. 10 February 2011.
  6. ^ Roberts, Scott (21 October 2013). "London: Lesbian hangout Candy Bar to close". Pink News.

51°30′54″N 0°08′01″W / 51.5149°N 0.1336°W / 51.5149; -0.1336