Now we’re going to double back on ourselves to the R-Bar and head up Steine Street. Without going round the corner at the top, we’re going to stop for some memories. The pub on the corner at 10 Steine Street is currently Bar Broadway which opened in 2014. As the name might suggest, this place has very successfully claimed the market for those into all things musicals, showtunes etc. Back in 1990 the pub opened as the Queen’s Head, changing its sign outside to an image of Freddie Mercury the following year, to mark his passing.

You’ll have to use your imagination for the next one, as the building has been completely transformed. Right next to the mini car park is 5 Steine Street. This was at one time a diminutive, little club called Secrets. It was opened in the mid 1980s by Peter and David after they sold their gay guesthouse Tradewinds at 16 Egremont Place. The front door opened to a set of stairs that took you to the front desk to pay and sign in. Then there was a bar, then some more stairs that took you down to the dancefloor. Like all clubs at the time, licencing laws meant you had to be a member or signed in by a member to enter. This meant it was a common sight to see youngsters hanging round the entrance waiting for the older gentlemen who had the membership to get them in. I’m sure many new friendships began this way…

Almost opposite that, there is another pub at 6 Steine Street – the Plotting Parlour. This opened in 1986 as The Aquarium, and was a very popular drag bar, with a significant section of the clientele sporting the masculine clone look – short hair, tight light-blue denim jeans (often showing signs of wear around the crotch area), and the obligatory moustache.
The pub changed hands around 1989-90, but I won’t spoil the story for you by telling you what happened next…

The voices you are hearing are of:
Alfie Ordinary
Richard Harris
Sandra

Sound editing:
Olive Mondegreen
Alex Fincher

Recommended Age: 16+
Content Warning: Mention of sex, adult language, adult themes, mention of substance use and violence.