Campaigning for Camden’s LGBTQ+ history and future

A group of smiling supporters with banners and flags standing around the building of the Black Cap in Camden London

Welcome

Welcome to the campaign to re-open and protect the Black Cap, north London’s legendary LGBTQ+ pub, club, cabaret, and community space!

The Black Cap, a Camden landmark for over 250 years and one of London’s biggest and most famous LGBTQ+ spaces for more than 50 years, was closed abruptly in April 2015 by its previous owners. They planned to redevelop the building into luxury flats – but they didn’t count on the community’s resistance.

The #WeAreTheBlackCap campaign, led by the community benefit society, Black Cap Community, has been campaigning since then to save the Black Cap given its place as one of the few remaining landmarks of historical, cultural, and artistic importance for the LGBTQ+ community, and ensure it is re-opened as a safe, vibrant place of entertainment once again.

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Black Cap Community

WE DID IT!

We are excited, and proud, to announce that the Black Cap finally re-opened on Saturday 21 March 2026!

After nearly eleven years of grassroots campaigning, we have achieved our primary goal. The owners, with input from us, have lovingly refurbished and revitalized north London’s most famous LGBTQ+ venue. The Black Cap is now open!

Note that we are not involved in running the Black Cap. After the campaign’s success, we are resting and considering what role, if any, our structures and resources should serve in the future.

For up-to-date information on the Black Cap, including opening times, drag and cabaret shows, &c., please see the Cap’s official website: https://blackcapcamden.co.uk/

You can also follow the Black Cap on Instagram and on Facebook.

Once the Black Cap is open again, we will be taking a little break to enjoy our success, and then we’ll start having conversations within the community about what, if anything, our campaign group should do next.