When G-A-Y Bar closed last October, London lost a slightly tired LGBTQ+ landmark that many of us took for granted. Owner Jeremy Joseph blamed the steady gentrification of Soho, claiming the area had “lost that LGBT identity”, and said the decision would enable him to focus on running queer superclub Heaven – a task he has shouldered for well over a decade. But earlier this year, a big gay phoenix rose from the ashes when Coven: Headquarters opened at the same Soho location: 30 Old Compton Street.
This enormous multi-purpose queer venue is the brainchild of Matthew Jacobs-Morgan, an actor, writer and director who recently popped up in Charli XCX's mockumentary film The Moment. Jacobs-Morgan readily admits that Coven: Headquarters is currently a rough-and-ready “work-in-progress”, but he has grand plans for a space that’s even more sprawling than G-A-Y regulars probably remember. He wants to welcome four separate clothing concessions on the ground floor – one has moved in already – and tells Broadsheet that he intends to turn the first floor into “a kind of co-working/coffee shop members’ space”. The latter could make 30 Old Compton Street into a real daytime destination – as any freelancer will know, Soho isn’t exactly teeming with spots where you feel comfortable getting your laptop out.
Meanwhile, Jacobs-Morgan is also midway through “activating the building’s upper floors” – including one that’s currently home to an industrial kitchen that hasn’t been used in years. The aim, in time, is to transform Coven: Headquarters into a flexible, five-storey LGBTQ+ community hub that can host an album launch party at the same time as a regular queer club night. Jacobs-Morgan knows he needs serious money to implement his vision – he's already put out an open call for investors – but once he gets the ball rolling, he sees no reason “why we can't be here for 20 years or longer”.
Jacobs-Morgan, who first launched Coven as an east London club night in June 2025, says he wants punters from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum to feel comfortable at his new Soho hub. He's particularly keen to create a safe space for trans people at a time when the mainstream media seems intent on using their very existence as a convenient political football. “On opening night, we had dolls on every floor. I was like, ‘Take the decks, take the reins, make it happen. You guys are the creators of the culture in Soho,’” he says.
In fact, Jacobs-Morgan is now running regular open decks nights on Wednesdays (would any self-respecting queer Londoner turn down the chance to take the aux at 30 Old Compton Street?). He's also launched a broad range of themed ragers including Before 11, a queer student club night every Monday, and an upcoming Play Rave for FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans and Agender) people co-hosted by FLINTA-only events crew, Pxssycat Club. “I wanted to take over this building because I wanted to protect it,” he says. “I think a lot of queer people feel a sense of ownership over this space because it’s been here for so long. For many of us, it was the first queer venue we ever visited. I want to make sure it stays that way for the next generation.”
Coven: Headquarters
30 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UR
Hours:
See website for events schedule
