“Palladium of Drag”, The Black Cap, returns to Camden after decade-long community campaign

One of London’s most iconic LGBTQ+ cabaret venues will reopen its doors on 21 March 2026 for an all-ticket event, marking the return of the historic Camden pub after more than a decade.

Closed since 2015, the landmark venue on Camden High Street has been lovingly restored following a long campaign by LGBTQ+ activists, local residents and Camden Council to protect the site and preserve its cultural heritage.

Now under new ownership and operated by LT Management, the venue has undergone a £2 million refurbishment and will relaunch as a vibrant queer performance space celebrating drag, cabaret and live entertainment.

A number of star acts will feature in a line-up of drag performers over the coming months, including: Aidan Sandler – described as an “absolute tornado of a cabaret star” and the “Demonic David Bowie; Anita Fag – Welsh drag queen and live entertainer from Swansea; Me The Drag Queen – London-based drag performer celebrated for their camp, flamboyant style and lip-sync performances; Baga Chipz – English drag queen and TV personality best known from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK; Sophia Stardust – UK drag performer known for high-energy comedy on stages and at Pride events; and Tiana Biscuit – South London drag artist and singer with musical theatre flair.

Billed as the “Palladium of Drag”, The Black Cap will once again take its place in Camden’s alternative cultural scene. In the 1950s and 1960s, when gay life was still socially difficult in Britain, the pub provided a haven where people could gather and express themselves freely. 

The venue hosted trailblazing drag stars such as Mrs Shufflewick, Regina Fong and Lily Savage, the late Paul O’Grady, whose widower has loaned treasured artefacts from the performer’s career to the new venue, and the original Black Cap sign will also be on display in the bar. 

The Black Cap itself dates back more than 250 years. While some believe its name came from a witch named Jenny Bingham, others suggest it refers to the black cap traditionally worn by judges when passing the death sentence.

Jean-Charles Sibille from LT Management said: “There has been huge interest in the reopening of The Black Cap. 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 long-standing connections to Camden’s music and entertainment scene.

Drag performer and campaigner Alex Green said: “We are so happy that The Black Cap has been saved and sympathetically restored to celebrate its LGBTQ+ and drag performance 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.”