Gay London Life | May '26 Edition - Magazine - Page 22
ZODIAC Is Back, And Camden’s Ready For It
Camden’s loudest queer living room has had a rebuild, and the timing couldn’t be better.
As Trans Pride and Eurovision season roll in, ZODIAC Bar & Club is back, sharper, louder, and still proudly Trans-founded.
We caught up with CEO Simon Williams, shareholder,
LGBTQ+-founded partnerships and culture group,
operator, and founder of partnerships.community, an
created as a gay founder — leads initiatives like the
LGBTQ+-founded partnerships, culture and social
Library of Curiosities and the Art & Culture Fund
enterprise group, to talk about what’s changed, what
alongside Studio19. It works in partnership with
hasn’t, and why this reopening matters.
ZODIAC but sits independently of the venue. That’s
You’re calling this ZODIAC 2.0. What does that
a big part of why I’m here.
mean?
How tough is it running an LGBTQ+ venue right
Same venue, properly rebuilt. The DNA hasn’t
now?
changed, it’s still Trans-founded by Jade Phoenix
Brutal. Costs are up across the board, and margins are
Hoskins, still unapologetically queer, still a proper
tight. You either build a loyal crowd or you don’t survive.
Camden party. But behind the scenes, everything’s
Give us your pitch for someone who’s never been.
been upgraded. Sound, lighting, layout, operations.
Camden’s loudest queer living room. Two floors,
We kept the soul and fixed the structure.
drag, DJs, karaoke, late licence. The place you end
Why step in as CEO now?
up staying way longer than planned.
I’ve been close to ZODIAC for years. By early
And for people who stopped coming?
2026, the issues were operational, not just vibes. It
We listened. We’ve fixed a lot, and we’re still improving.
needed hands-on leadership. Loving a venue isn’t
Come back and see for yourself, I’ll be there.
enough, you’ve got to run it properly.
What can we expect from opening weekend?
What’s the biggest difference people will notice?
A proper welcome back. Free entry, daytime into late,
It’ll feel calmer, but hit harder. Better sound, clearer
performances, DJs, and the full ZODIAC family in the
sightlines, faster bar. The kind of changes you actually
room. No fuss, just good energy and a packed house.
feel at 1am, not just what looks good on Instagram.
“Community-first” gets thrown around a lot.
What does it mean here?
Be There
It means leadership matters. ZODIAC is Transfounded and that isn’t just branding, it’s built into
ZODIAC reopens Saturday 9 and Sunday
how we operate. It also means real investment,
10 May, with free entry and a full weekend
over £300k raised for LGBTQ+ causes, and
of programming from noon into late.
ongoing programming that reflects the community,
Expect drag, DJs, familiar faces and a few
not just ticks a box.
surprises.
Camden’s changing, especially with venues
reopening. Where do you fit?
Head down to ZODIAC Bar & Club and see
More queer venues is a good thing. We’re not
the new space for yourself, or check out
competing with each other, we’re competing with
what’s on at www.zodiacbarlondon.com.
people staying home. ZODIAC is the late, loud,
Trans-founded option. There’s room for all of us.
If you’ve missed it, this is your moment.
How do you grow commercially without losing
And if you’ve never been, this is the one to
those roots?
start with.
The roots aren’t optional. They’re built into how we run
the business. Growth supports that, it doesn’t dilute it.
Address: 119 Hampstead Rd, London NW1 3EE
Staying open during renovations… bold move?
Nearest Tube: Euston / Euston Square
It was tough, but necessary. Venues that close don’t
always come back. Staying open kept staff paid and
the community connected.
Tell us about the charity side going forward.
It’s central. partnerships.community — my
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