Published: October 7, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

A PIONEERING gay café praised as one of the first venues of its kind will close when its lease expires later this month.

First Out, in St Giles High Street, off Tottenham Court Road, opened in 1986 and was inspired by Amsterdam’s enlightened café culture. It has hosted exhibitions and other cultural events and is cherished by many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as a low-key hangout.

Its co-owner, Maria Tejada, said business had fallen off because of “upheaval” in the area and changes in London’s gay scene. And she said there were no plans to relocate.

“This was the first openly gay establishment for daytime trade,” said Ms Tejada.

“Before there had just been nightclubs.

“We have been affected by the Crossrail redevelopment and the whole area has seen a lot of changes. The Astoria and the Ghetto Club have gone.

“There has been a lot of upheaval, which has had an impact on us, but at the end of the day we have made a lot of friends and created a place where people can be themselves. For that we are very proud.”

Writer Jonathan Kemp, whose debut novel London Triptych examined the world of Oscar Wilde’s rent boys, said: “First Out was significant in that it opened in the 1980s at a time when a commercial scene was emerging. It wasn’t just a café, it was a gallery, a club space and a meeting place for a whole community. This is just another indication of how independent businesses in central London are disappearing.”

Former staff at the café have included TV presenter and former Camden Mayoress Amy Lamé.

It was out of this world

LASBIANS, lattes and lentils was what I pictured iconic gay café First Out to be like. What’s the big deal, I thought, just another whole foods café serving eight-figure cappuccinos with beans imported from Saturn but which is also gay friendly.

Then I went inside and had a drink. Then I came back again and again. The rest is history.

It is heartbreaking news that First Out is closing at the end of this month. Because of redevelopment in Soho, along with rising shop rents, many independent businesses have already disappeared. Soon the only sense of commun­ity you will find in the area will be when someone in the queue at Starbucks heroically passes you a straw in silence.

First Out is one of a kind. Opening in the mid-1980s with a salute to Amsterdam café culture, it was the first place to merge the gay scene with something that wasn’t a nightclub. It literally was the first out.

In the past 25 years it has been the mothership to London’s gay and lesbian commun­ity. Under one roof there are exhibitions, live DJ nights, homemade vegetarian and vegan food and even a weekly book club. Organic lasagnes aside it’s in the name. It’s the place people go to come out, the place people go for first dates (and last dates). I for one have happily lingered over many a glass of sangria there while bent over a dying candle flame.
DAISY STENHAM