Royal Vauxhall Tavern future hangs in the balance after row over Eurovision boycott

'In simple terms, we’re a gay bar, not a political venue. People come here to get away from talk of wars.'

A prominent London gay bar has been put up for sale following arguments involving showing this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern came under fire recently resulting in a walk-out by drag and cabaret performers when it announced it would air this year’s Eurovision contest.

Older patrons wanted to watch Eurovision, but younger ones supported a boycott of the event this year due to Israel’s involvement.

The pub ultimately decided to shut their doors, before announcing this week it would be put up for sale.

The pub’s owner James Lindsay told the Irish Times last week: ‘Until a week ago, I’d have told you we were the most iconic gay venue in London.

‘Now, I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re split between young and old, and that’s not a good place to be. This has the potential to really affect us.

‘None of us support what Israel is doing in Gaza, but there has to be a distinction made between the Israeli state and its people.

‘I don’t want to say my older crowd doesn’t care about the issue, but they don’t quite get the history of it in the same way. In simple terms, we’re a gay bar, not a political venue. People come here to get away from talk of wars.’

Online critics said it was ‘unconscionable that a queer venue would breach’ a Eurovision boycott. The pub instead closed its doors, before making the announcement that it was for sale.

RVT added at the time: ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next couple of weeks.

‘I am not sure I’ll get the younger midweek promoters back, but we won’t survive without our weekend older business.’

The announcement of the sale has prompted a flurry of online reactions.

Mr Lindsay made the announcement about the pub’s sale online days after the backlash.

It read: ‘After 20 years of stabilising and growing The RVT, it is with a very heavy heart, John and I have made the decision that we are not the right people to continue running The RVT.

‘We have decided to sell our business interest and have instructed agents to make this happen. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, particularly our invaluable team.’

The RVT has been contacted for comment.

A venue with a rich history

The iconic venue has seen celebrities flock to it over the years – one rumour claims that Freddie Mercury took Princess Diana to the establishment in disguise.

Paul O’Grady also performed at the venue four times a week as the legendary drag queen Lily Savage – who famously began a riot at the club.

But the history dates far back – the building was first made around 1865, but the current site was built after World War II – and used as a meeting place for returning servicemen and local gay men.

Beginning in the 1950s, drag performers began to use the tavern as a performance space, utilising the long bar which ran through the middle of the ground bar floor.

But in the 1980s, the venue entered its heyday, after rough patches in the 1970s which saw members of The National Front enter, and a police raid.

In the 21st century, it’s played host to acts including Belinda Carlisle, Kim Wilde, Mutya Buena, Bucks Fizz, Liberty X, The Three Degrees, Sonia and Gabrielle.

In 2015, the building was designated as a Grade II-listed building.

But the pub did encounter multiple financial difficulties in 2005, 2014 and 2018 – each time, with the community rallying around them to save the venue.

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