Information about London specific events, from Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3) and Master Thomas (33). Most BLUF London events take place at The Backstreet in Mile End, but many members also regularly attend the London Leather Social and meetings of London Leathermen. We also organise a presence at the London Pride Parade.
After having twice had their proposals thrown out by the Strategic Development Committee, it was inevitable that developers would have to think a little harder about how they altered the proposal, and the future of The Backstreet.
Thanks to letters from supporters and - I like to think - my speeches at the planning meetings, we persuaded the Committee that it was essential to preserve the club, and that a relocation strategy needed to be put in place. As things stand, at the April meeting undertakings were given that the club would have twelve month's notice of work starting on site, and a contribution of £10,000 towards relocation costs. While an improvement on the original offer, that could still spell the end of The Backstreet, given the expense of property in the UK.
And now, they're back. To be honest, I hoped it would take them a bit longer to come up with a new plan. But I never expected this...
The latest revision to the plans, discussed with John and the Backstreet team, provides a far better relocation deal than expected. The club will be moving - but only to the basement. The revised plans provide a space of 243sq metres in the basement, comparable to the size of the existing club.
Entrance will be still be through a ground floor door on Wentworth Mews, a couple of metres from the current doors, and then down the stairs - a lift will also be provided - to the bar itself.
If the plans are agreed - expect them to come before the Committee in August or more likely September - then The Backstreet as we know it will continue for at least another twelve months, and then close shortly before work commences on the new building. We don't know how long that will take, but London could be without a leather bar for up to a year, before the new premises are safe to access and have been fitted out - a topic on which I hope I'll be able to say more over coming months.
The Backstreet's John Edwards has written a letter to the Strategic Development Committee, confirming he is "very pleased with the proposal." In the light of that, I shan't be objecting to it myself, nor do I recommend that others do so this time.
To all intents and purposes, as far as saving The Backstreet goes, I think it's fair to say "We won."
London's oldest leather bar will be reborn as its newest one.
Categories: venues
Thursday 13 July, Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3). Updated 13 Jul, 12:46 by Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3)
The photos in this gallery were taken by Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3) during the London Pride Parade 2017. Principally of BLUF and London Leathermen, it also includes a few other general shots of Pride. Click the photo to launch the gallery, and click the link below a photo to view it on Flickr.
…Published 14 Jul 2017 • Read more
Thanks to Longshot (2710) for this collection of photos of the BLUF/LLM group in the London Pride Parade
…Published 10 Jul 2017 • Read more
The photos in the gallery on this page were taken by a variety of people during the 2017 London Pride Parade, and show the BLUF / London Leathermen group. To view full details of each photo on Flickr, click the link below each picture.
…Published 10 Jul 2017 • Read more
The photos in this collection were taken by John, aka nettyjohn (2553) on the Pride Parade, and follow the BLUF and London Leathermen group from our rendezvous at the King's Arms through the march. Click the photo to start viewing the gallery of over 200 images, or view them on [Flickr](https://
…Published 09 Jul 2017 • Read more
Last night, at a meeting of the Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee, the future of London's only leather bar was secured - for the time being at least.
Backstreet is the only part of a large building that's still in use. It occupies the back of a
…Published 17 Feb 2017 • Read more
Once again this year, BLUF took part in the London Pride Parade, and we formed a joint group with London Leathermen (formerly MSC London).
With around 80 people taking part, we think this is the biggest ever leather turnout for the parade. Thanks very much to Paul Turner of LLM
…Published 27 Jun 2016 • Read more
You don't know what you've got till it's gone, sang Joni Mitchell and sadly that's all too often been the case with leather bars, which is one of the reasons we started the BLUF 12x12 pledge back at the beginning of
…Published 20 Dec 2015 • Read more
On Saturday 27th June, London had its biggest ever Pride parade, and as in recent years, we had an official BLUF walking group.
It was our biggest turnout for the march so far, with thirty people making up our group, please the BLUF and leather flags.
We enjoyed a great
…Published 30 Jun 2015 • Read more
View image | gettyimages.com
The images in the photo gallery below are public photos from Flickr that show the BLUF group on the London Pride Parade.
If you find more photos of us, please send an email to pride @ bluf.com
Click on a photo to view it on Flickr.
…Published 29 Jun 2015 • Read more
The photos below are the highlights from over 100 that I shot on the London Pride march in 2014, and show members of BLUF and MSC London in our joint walking group.
Click on a photo to view it on Flickr, where you'll also find all the other photos
…Published 13 Aug 2014 • Read more
More photos from the London Pride Parade, taken by leather bln (1879)
…Published 02 Jul 2014 • Read more
Thanks to Longshot (2710) for this set of photos showing the BLUF and MSC group in the London Pride Parade.
…Published 01 Jul 2014 • Read more
This Flickr gallery shows photos from the BLUF and MSC marching group in the London Pride parade; click on a photo to view it on Flickr.
…Published 01 Jul 2014 • Read more
This Flickr gallery shows photos from the BLUF and MSC marching group in the London Pride parade; click on a photo to view it on Flickr.
…Published 01 Jul 2014 • Read more
Although not a BLUF event, the London Leather Social is well attended by BLUF guys, along with a good selection of men into all the different sorts of leather.
It's a friendly event which takes place in the upstairs bar at Comptons on the first Sunday of every month -
…Published 06 May 2014 • Read more
These photos were taken during the Pride Parade by ManFetishes, aka Steve (2663)
Click an image to view it on Flickr
…Published 13 Jul 2013 • Read more
2013 marked the second year that BLUF was registered as an official participant on the London Pride Parade. We were joined in our walking group by members of MSC London as well, and had a total of around thirty people present on the day.
The photos here were taken by
…Published 09 Jul 2013 • Read more
Around 30 people took part in the Pride March for BLUF and MSC London. The photos on this page were submitted to us by FllLthr (1386)
…Published 05 Jul 2013 • Read more
BLUF is once again taking place in the London Pride parade, which this year is on Saturday 29th of June 2013. We'll be marching towards the front of the parade, hopefully with a fair few people in full leather gear.
If you're into leather, and you'd like
…Published 29 May 2013 • Read more
Here are some more photos from the BLUF group marching in London's World Pride Parade, July 7th 2012.
These photos have been kindly contributed from a number of sources. The first four were kindly sent to us by Polari Magazine, followed by three from Recon user 'Evilgrin'
The next
…Published 01 Aug 2012 • Read more
For World Pride 2012 in London, and since BLUF will be fifteen this year, we arranged a marching group in the parade. These photos, taken by Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3), show the group - which numbered around 25 by the time we finished - plus some of the other sights from the march.
I'm
…Published 11 Jul 2012 • Read more
This collection of photos is from various users on Flickr who took photos of BLUF members as we passed by in the parade on 7th July.
In spite of the weather and the change to the start time, we had around 25 people marching with us by the end of
…Published 09 Jul 2012 • Read more
Pride is upon as and, for the first time, BLUF is registered as a group to march in the parade in London. Amongst all the outpourings of emotion and anger that have been caused by the poor organisation and near collapse of the event, there are also some familiar themes,
…Published 06 Jul 2012 • Read more
BLUF is a registered group in the World Pride march on 7th July 2012, and we welcome those who want to come and join us with the BLUF and leather flags, whether you're in gear or not.
The start time for the march has been rescheduled, and it now
…Published 03 Jul 2012 • Read more
Gentle Breeze, broken clouds, light rain
BLUF at Pride 2015
London Leather Social
The monthly London get-together for guys in leather. Meet upstairs in Comptons, from 5pm onwards. No dresscode.
Comptons, Old Compton Street, London W1, United Kingdom
Fetish Bound
London's monthly male bondage club in the Underground Club at Central Station. A friendly no attitude play space to meet play and socialise in, for all levels from the new to the experienced. More info: Dave, aka Tieemup (917)
The Underground Club, Central Station, 37 Wharfedale Road, King's Cross, London N1 9SD, United Kingdom
London Leathermen
London Leathermen's monthly Club Night Social with Men.inc at the Eagle London from 9pm... free entrance, beer specials, secure clothes check, changing area, pool table, great music, outside private smoking terrace & bar, free (BBQ or buffet weather dependent) - great company so gear up and join us.
Eagle London, 349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY, UK, London, United Kingdom
IGNITE
IGNITE: The night for men who smoke and their admirers. Join us at The Backstreet, where you can relax with a cigar or pipe in the private outdoor smoking area. Normal Backstreet dresscode and entrance charges apply. More info: Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3)
The Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, London, United Kingdom
London Leather Social
The monthly London get-together for guys in leather. Meet upstairs in Comptons, from 5pm onwards. No dresscode.
Comptons, Old Compton Street, London W1, United Kingdom
Fetish Bound
London's monthly male bondage club in the Underground Club at Central Station. A friendly no attitude play space to meet play and socialise in, for all levels from the new to the experienced. More info: Dave, aka Tieemup (917)
The Underground Club, Central Station, 37 Wharfedale Road, King's Cross, London N1 9SD, United Kingdom
London Leathermen
London Leathermen's monthly Club Night Social with Men.inc at the Eagle London from 9pm... free entrance, beer specials, secure clothes check, changing area, pool table, great music, outside private smoking terrace & bar, free (BBQ or buffet weather dependent) - great company so gear up and join us.
Eagle London, 349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY, UK, London, United Kingdom
London Leather Social
The monthly London get-together for guys in leather. Meet upstairs in Comptons, from 5pm onwards. No dresscode.
Comptons, Old Compton Street, London W1, United Kingdom
Fetish Bound - Samhain Special
London's monthly male bondage club in the Underground Club at Central Station. A friendly no attitude play space to meet play and socialise in, for all levels from the new to the experienced. More info: Dave, aka Tieemup (917)
The Underground Club, Central Station, 37 Wharfedale Road, King's Cross, London N1 9SD, United Kingdom
London Leather Weekend
Thursday 19 October -> 22 Sunday Oct 17
Join London Leathermen for a weekend of events. Full details to follow, but the weekend will include a joint BLUF / London Leathermen social, a Mastery night, and BLUF's 20th birthday bash, plus more
Various venues, London, UK
BLUF's 20th Birthday Bash
BLUF is 20 this year! Our official birthday is on November 18th, and we're kicking off the celebrations with BLUF's Birthday Bash at The Backstreet, London's leather bar. The club is opening specially for us on Thursday 19th, and we hope to see many members in attendance - there may be a few surprises too. And if you can't get to London, we'll be having celebratory events in many other cities, too. This event is also part of the London Leather Weekend, so there are plenty of good reasons to head to London. Dresscode: BLUF Please note this event is for BLUF members and their guests only. More details will be available shortly. Info: Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3)
The Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, London, United Kingdom
London Leathermen
London Leathermen's monthly Club Night Social with Men.inc at the Eagle London from 9pm... free entrance, beer specials, secure clothes check, changing area, pool table, great music, outside private smoking terrace & bar, free (BBQ or buffet weather dependent) - great company so gear up and join us.
Eagle London, 349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY, UK, London, United Kingdom
London Leather Social
The monthly London get-together for guys in leather. Meet upstairs in Comptons, from 5pm onwards. No dresscode.
Comptons, Old Compton Street, London W1, United Kingdom
Fetish Bound - 8th Birthday Party
London's monthly male bondage club in the Underground Club at Central Station. A friendly no attitude play space to meet play and socialise in, for all levels from the new to the experienced. More info: Dave, aka Tieemup (917)
The Underground Club, Central Station, 37 Wharfedale Road, King's Cross, London N1 9SD, United Kingdom
London Leathermen
London Leathermen's monthly Club Night Social with Men.inc at the Eagle London from 9pm... free entrance, beer specials, secure clothes check, changing area, pool table, great music, outside private smoking terrace & bar, free (BBQ or buffet weather dependent) - great company so gear up and join us.
Eagle London, 349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY, UK, London, United Kingdom
BLUF at Backstreet
Join us at Backstreet for the final BLUF event of 2017. Dig out your best gear, and come out for the last time before the holiday break. Normal Backstreet entrance charges apply. More info: Nigel, aka LondonSubNigel (3)
The Backstreet, Wentworth Mews, Mile End, London, United Kingdom
London Leather Social
The monthly London get-together for guys in leather. Meet upstairs in Comptons, from 5pm onwards. No dresscode.
Comptons, Old Compton Street, London W1, United Kingdom
Fetish Bound - Yule Party
London's monthly male bondage club in the Underground Club at Central Station. A friendly no attitude play space to meet play and socialise in, for all levels from the new to the experienced. More info: Dave, aka Tieemup (917)
The Underground Club, Central Station, 37 Wharfedale Road, King's Cross, London N1 9SD, United Kingdom
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