What we’re about
We are a safe, friendly, social environment for bisexual, biromantic, pansexual/romantic, polysexual, queer, fluid or other non-monosexual people (aka. m-spec, bi+). Bi-curious / questioning people and supportive partners, friends, allies also welcome: but please learn & understand (at least) the basics - don't ask the same biphobic questions we get outside this safer space or make equivalent assumptions of anyone here.
Come make bi+ friends, hang out, chat, have fun; see, learn and take part in some bi / LGBT+ culture, history, and activism; and feel part of a community in a (usually) free-to-attend, casual informal environment.
🟣 What do we do?
* Events
Most are social informal chatty hangouts on weekday evenings. We've always had monthly pub drinks evening in Soho on the same fourth Thursday (18+ age limit). Online events replace in-person when necessary (via Zoom/our Discord) without the age limit; the link is set as the location (sometimes in the event description).
Turnout is strong - reliably 40 or more for the in-person monthly bar socials pre-pandemic, usually 10-30ish for most other official meets, online socials tend to be smaller.
Others include clubbing nights, or regular cultural events (usually run by others but listed here for us to go to as a group) - e.g. cabaret/comedy/plays. In summer, picnics and walks, and we want to get back to the occasional dinner out too.
Several regular events are shared here from other London bi groups/organisers, e.g. Bi Underground, Bi Coffee, Opening Doors' Bi the Way meets, and (less-regular) the BiCHE dance club night & CaBiRet.
Members can suggest events too (but we'll remove+ban spammers of irrelevant commercial events; ask first) - either you can run them or an organiser may help if they have time/motivation. We prefer you've previously attended our own events, so we both know what to expect.
We also publicise, attend, and run groups / sessions at the largest local/national bi events and Prides like BiCon, Pride in London, London BiFest, Croydon and other local Prides (10 of them in 2019 including London, Croydon, Para Pride, Black Pride and Trans Pride).
We now have a Discord server under the group's name for text chat/updates between events (the Discord invite link is in your introduction email when you join, sometimes in event descriptions, or ask the organisers).
* Merch!
We support bi creators through our/their merch in our online shop.
🟣 Join in / Support Us!
Join and RSVP to try us out!
Besides our meetups, we invite you to follow and engage with our social network accounts for other discussions and what the organiser gets up to outside the group, plus wider community things (if you partake)!
See links page (bottom of): https://campsite.bio/londonbi
* Shop
Consider buying bi+/trans/pride/intersecting-identity supporting products (merch) or donating at our shop: https://londonbisexualsmeetup.sumup.link/
Organiser John produces the high quality, well-loved bi & trans pride full-size umbrellas ☂ (limited stock, no bi ones for now); via shop (above).
* Donations
Organiser John covers Meetup/other service fees out-of-pocket (can afford to); but appreciates help for extra costs (e.g. pride stalls often need insurance, travel/material/equipment/volunteer costs) – donate via cash/card at our pub socials/some other events, via ko-fi online; or even PayPal directly, by request.
🟣 Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility
People of all abilities, religions, sexualities, ethnicities and genders welcome as long as you respect other members, their identities, and appearance. Some regular events require ability to use stairs and will have background music/noise.
🟣 Rules
• Keep your main profile picture for this group 'family-friendly' or you will be removed or (for repeated/unfixed offences) banned; we are not a swingers or nudists group. You get one warning ever (by private message), ~ 1 week to fix it (and offers of help if needed).
• Don't be a dick! ie. Respect others, especially their privacy, at all times. e.g. get permission for photos, & what you'll do with them; don't "out" anyone without permission; try to assume good intent – you don't know what (else) is going on in people's lives. Disabilities & mental health struggles are not always visible/obvious.
• Abuse at events or via Meetup messages/actions will not be tolerated (organisers may need to be notified, they cannot see your private messages). Infractions will lead to the perpetrator's removal from the event+group, possibly a ban; reports presumed honest until evidence otherwise. Trivial first instances (level decided by target of abuse or representative if available) may be warned instead. Meetup also has ways to block/report users in messages or via profiles.
🟣 Final Notes & Conventions
80% of getting anything out of being a member is about showing up and taking part, so turn up to a few events (or offer to run one - anything social, the main organiser John/others may offer help). You're sure to have fun! No need to be nervous about anything sexual, as its a regular social group; report and block anyone who is behaving inappropriately.
* Commercial event to advertise? - talk to the organiser first. Spam not tolerated - we block & remove it a.s.a.p.
* Show/researcher/casting agent wanting people? We have a Discord channel for that, or discuss with the organiser / post to our FB page.
* Member stars! Some members have 1-2 star(s) '★' under their name (in their title), they celebrate our best contributing and reliable members (who've run great events/are an activist here or externally); or a black mark '∎' hints of a failure to respect the group - e.g. not turning up for a limited-space ticketed event without letting us know or apologies, and shouldn't be relied on as much. Black marked members will not have guaranteed space at any limited-ticket event until they redeem themselves (getting the mark removed) by showing up enough, and would not be trusted to run events.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Bi The Way Group (50+ yrs) [other group]London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, London
Bi the Way is a regular social group for bi and pan people (or other bi+ identities) who are over 50. Once run by Opening Doors London, an LGBT charity for 50+, the group now continues independently thanks to 2 lovely hosts.
This month's event has moved to Sunday 20th at the same time as usual, but note (past &) future events are usually on the FOURTH Monday of each month, at the London LGBTQ Community Centre. There is often a visiting speaker to talk on a relevant topic or a themed discussion planned for the first part.
⚫Accessibility:
- Closest station: Blackfriars (southeast exit of mainline station) which is step-free - centre is next to the Tate-side exit
- Bus Routes: Blackfriars Road Stop SM - 381, N343, N381; Black Friars station South Entrance Stop D - 40, 63, N63, N89.
- Accessible Toilets: No - suggest using Tate Modern (until 6.00 pm) or the Founders arms pub opposite (if after 6.00 pm Mon-Thu) which has a ramp and disabled toilet
- Disabled Car Parking: Yes, Blue badge parking space near venue; click here for more details
- Car Parking: Street parking on Hopton Street; max stay 2 hours £6.50 per hour
- Induction Loop: No
- BSL service: No
- Step Free access: Yes
- Wheel Chair Access: Yes
⚫ Tickets/Registration? You can register at the eventbrite (I think optionally, but following the host there is another way to keep up with events):
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bi-the-way-over-50s-tickets-964878506587⚫ More Info:
To keep up to date with what's happening with the group, please email: sophiebtwgroup@gmail.comThe old Bi the Way event details at Opening Doors London website (while the website is still up):
https://www.openingdoorslondon.org.uk/bi-the-way-meetupVenue website: londonlgbtqcentre.org
- Bi Coffee [other group]Caffè Nero, London
Hot Bi Beverages! The Bi Coffee group (a separate group) meets at 3–6.30pm on the first Saturday of every month. The old Leon venue is permanently closed, so the group now meets in a Caffè Nero near Tottenham Court Road/Shaftesbury Avenue.
The venue: Caffè Nero, the Central Saint Giles one; at the bottom (south end) of Earnshaw Street, at the corner with Shaftesbury Avenue (a big junction); round the corner from Tottenham Court Road Station.
Address: 1a St. Giles High St, London WC2H 8AGVicki is running Bi Coffee each month, come and go as you please. Find us by looking for our little purple unicorn and sign.
Respect each other. Newcomers and quiet people are most welcome. There are regulars from outside our group (but in the general London bi community) so even if there's no-one else listed from here you'll be in a friendly and safe group.But do please note this is a separate group from our meetup group and for most reliable updates check out the facebook page. Its run enthusiastically by upstanding bi community member(s) and heartily recommended if more relaxed and quiet hanging out in a café is more your thing.
🟣 Accessibility:
The cafe is ground floor and claims disabled toilet and access, baby changing facilities, wifi, and air conditioning (only one toilet though, which can occasionally mean a longer queue for that than for service).The cafe is opposite Tottenham Court Road bus stop S (busses 14, 176). It is on the junction so taxis will need to stop outside it.
🟣 More Info:
Facebook group: facebook.com/bicoffeelondon/
Old Bi Coffee website (ignore the outdated location,map): bi.tocotox.org/bicoffeelondon/
Venue: website / tel:02072407412. - Play: Can't Wait To Leave (daily 5-9, £15/13)The Jack Studio Theatre, London
The play Can't Wait To Leave is back again (we listed its first run's London showings in February 2023), on a new run of shows around the country. It plays in London 5-9 November. Written and directed by Stephen Leach, its about a bisexual 19 year old school drop-out and turkey sandwich enthusiast named Ryan. He's new in town and just wants to check out; but needs an exit plan. When that falls apart, he must survive for 6 months in a new and unfamiliar city with no money, no rules. Then he meets Richard...
Expect some laughs, tears - it reaches into some quite dark places; one early review was "bleak but relatable". But Ryan faces the world with a smile and can still crack jokes when its rough. Starring Zach Hawkins as Ryan, the protagonist; and featuring the vocal talents of Zoey Alexis Boyd (@ZoeyAlexisBoyd) and Joeldris Roberts (@JoeldrisRoberts).
Centre Stage (a theatre-focused blog) had a chat with the writer/director (link is to text of interview) about the inspiration for the show, the process of producing it, and the current state of theatre. Theatre and Tonic also reviewed it.
Showings are daily from Tues-Sun; there are only 2 events posted here to avoid overwhelming the group's meetup listings.
🟣 Travel:
🚗free parking outside theatre and in side streets (near A2 & South Circular A205).
🚂Overground to Honor Oak Park (8 mins walk, 10 mins to London Bridge). Or Crofton Park is 3 minutes walk & 15 minutes by train from Blackfriars station, also stop at St. Pancras, West Hampstead, Kent.
🚌122, 172, 171, P4, N171 (all stop directly outside the theatre).🟣 Accessibility / Content:
Warning: This production contains strong language, adult themes, and references to intoxication, violence, and sexual abuse. 16+.Running time is approx. 75 mins with NO interval; no latecomers admitted.
Summary of rest of info from the theatre's about-us page:
(Only) the showing on 6 November is BSL interpreted (recommended to book right hand side seats). There is a ground floor accessible toilet with grab-rails in the pub.
Carer tickets are free - request them by [email](mailto:admin@brockleyjack.co.uk?subject=Carer ticket). Theatre and Brockley Jack Public House have "full wheelchair access".Contact the venue (see below) for any other access requirements.
🟣 Tickets:
Showings are daily during the week, Tuesday - Saturday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 4pm (no latecomers admitted, so arrive on time; open from 7.15pm for arrival/seating).
Cost: £15 / £13 Concessions (full-time students, over 65s, registered unwaged, under 18s and Equity Members).
On-the-door ticket sales only accept (contactless) card payment, if seats remain.Buy in advance here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/brockleyjackstudio/can-t-wait-to-leave-by-stephen-leach/e-jbdmle🟣 More Info:
Presented by 1912 Productions. The London Venue is the Jack Studio, in SE London; a Winner of London Pub Theatre of the Year 2023 and of Most Welcoming Theatre (south east) in the Off West End Awards 2013, 2015, 2016 & 2017.- website (and the play's page)
- Social media: BrocJackTheatre (X/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube)
- tel: 0333 666 3366 (box office)
- email: admin@brockleyjack.co.uk
It also plays in Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Helston, Liverpool, Manchester, Newport, Penzance, St. Austell, and Winchester for one to three days each (links page to theatres and social media)
Event cover photo by Maxim at Infinity Focus (@FocusInfinity)
- website (and the play's page)