171 Camden High Street,
Camden,
London,
NW1 7JY
0872 261 0052
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
The self-appointed Palladium of Drag brings a touch of glamour to Camden Town.
The Venue
From the outside, you’d have no idea what awaits within. A three-story townhouse on Camden High Street, the Black Cap is classic, if a little funereal. A black nameplate embossed with gold lettering makes it look for all the world like a smart, traditional pub.
The first indication that it’s something more colourful comes with the chandelier and bold striped wallpaper adorning the ground floor reception area - it’s too decorous, too feminine for a standard boozer. Ascend the stairs and you’re confronted by a vista of high camp: leopard print wallpaper, filigree-framed photos of drag acts, and gold and red studded leather pews. It sounds garish, but offset by a polished wood floor, an ageless dark oak bar and yet more resplendent chandeliers, it’s actually done in exquisite taste. Out the back is a roof terrace that, with it’s hanging baskets and clematis, must be a contender for the prettiest beer garden in inner London. And the final coup de grace is down in the basement - a cabaret bar complete with stage and red curtain.
The Atmosphere
At the risk of sounding ingenuous, the Black Cap is best summarised as gay and proud. The bar area contains a library of gay literature, and as sponsors of Leftfooters FC lesbian and gay football teams the pub plays an active part in the gay community. No surprises then that it’s populated by men who make Colin and Justin look butch, but a very friendly welcome is extended to straight guys and gals, too.
Whilst the upstairs bar and garden are employed for leisurely drinking and socialising, the cabaret bar is home to more raucous behaviour. Hosting late night DJs and drag acts throughout the week, the Black Cap has built up a reputation as a formidable entertainment venue over the last forty or so years, helping break acts such as Lily Savage. A more recent brainchild of theirs is Drag Idol, and coming soon is the annual kitsch Eurovision Night.
The Food
The Black Cap is a fantastic value for this part of town; you can enjoy hake and chips for £3.99 or the most expensive item on the menu - ham hock with Scrumpy cider sauce for just £7.25. For those watching their waistlines, there are plenty of light bites such as wraps and jacket potatoes on the deli menu. And for those who like their meat (Frankie Howerd would be proud!) there are gourmet burger and grill menus.
The Drink
Neither the biggest nor the best stocked bar around, you’ll find the standard beers such as Fosters and Kronenburg on tap. Decent wines are also in fairly short supply although, as with the food, prices are reasonable and as long as you can find something cold and wet you should be content enough in the beer garden, sipping away on a hot summer’s day.
The Last Word
As long as you’re comfortable in an overtly gay environment, the Black Cap is an unexpected pleasure with plenty of glitz and a fabulous outdoor space.