Dalston Superstore is the kind of spot in East London where the queer vibe is as vibrant as a rainbow after a summer rain. It's not just a bar, it's like that cool friend's house where everyone hangs out. By day, it's this laid-back café vibe where you can chill with a coffee or grab a bite. But as the sun sets, oh boy, it transforms! We're talking about a dance floor that gets your heart racing and your feet moving.
The Superstore is all about the community. It's like a melting pot of everything queer and fabulous. You’ve got nights like Body Swap, where the trans community shines, and parties like Fèmme Fraîche and Club Tantrum that are just off the hook. And let's not forget the go-go dancers – they're the cherry on top, bringing that extra sparkle.
What’s cool about this place is it's not trying to be something it’s not. The staff? Absolute sweethearts. The crowd? Diverse and totally welcoming. Whether you're there to show off your latest dance moves, soak up some queer art, or just hang with friends, it's the place to be.
In short, Dalston Superstore is more than a bar or a club. It's a slice of East London's queer heart, beating loud and proud. It's where you go to be yourself, to meet your tribe, and just have a blast. Totally worth checking out if you’re in the area and want to experience the real deal of London's LGBTQIA+ scene.
Best drag brunch experience ever! Even if it was a holiday and not too energetic, the hosts and staff kept up the great vibes. Plus the food and drinks were fairly priced. Y'all should definitely go!
Aggressive bouncers. Was told we couldn’t enter as it was full- fair enough. We left the queue and started looking on our phone as the side of the road to work out our barings and had a horrible bouncer come up to us and said we couldn’t stand there! I’m sorry but last time I checked it is perfectly legal to stand on the side of the road!
Been coming to superstore for years but the bouncer tonight was genuinely hostile and aggressive. I don’t understand the attitude. One of my favourite clubs but not sure I would come again now - what has happened?!
I had SUCH a fun night, on a Sunday no less. Vibes were high, great people, the only thing that tainted the experience was the incredibly rude security guard on the way out. My friends and I were patiently waiting for a cab and - as I always am friendly and appreciative of security staff outside venues - was so with the guard outside who refused to say anything and looked at me and my friends like absolute scum. This has no place in an inclusive LGBTQ+ friendly bar, hence why I’m leaving a review. The vibes inside should match the exit.
Went here recently for a birthday and had such a great evening. Really great staff, vibes off the chart and felt like a very lovely fun and safe place to be. Very queer friendly!
Used to have nice staff on the door and at the bar. Now smartass says it shuts either 1 or 2. I know it's going to shut at 1 because I can see there's no one inside! I'm a trans person going blind and never had any help from anyone but you want me to pay £5 to get in for 1 drink when there's literally no-one in the place. Then I have to show my ID to get in and the guy spends 5 minutes staring at it like it's a fake id.
Lively, and fun atmosphere. But the most disgusting toilets I have seen in decades. They seem to have plenty of turnover and be making lots of money so, Why??? We far preferred the vibe in nearby Nelson’s.
Sorry superstores! We’ve been coming to you for years, so I hate leaving a bad review but your security is awful. We decided to not enter, as your rude security with a power complex decided to poke his camera and threaten us for no reason. We go to the Rio and then for a nightcap most weeks and usually feel safe and welcome. Shame as we want to support our queer spaces but having unwelcoming staff has moved us along elsewhere successfully. We feel as a Lesbian couple that this is a big problem and needs addressing as our safe spaces are limited. I guess superstore are either desperate or they do not care how staff greet their customers who already experience these issues in the majority of other places we have to go.
A place where the manager and the security doesn’t care about the safety of the client.I have had a very unpleasant experience in the bar.A random guy stole my drink at the bar, I went straight to the security to address my experience, the staff (security and the manager) allowed the guy to stay at the bar offering me another drink, just few minutes later the same guy came over, touched me with no consent, I had addressed the matter but no action was taken. I’ve decided to leave the place as I was very uncomfortable. Before leaving I had told the security about my decision to leave as I couldn’t stay in a place where stealing and touching with no consent is allowed and the only answer has been “this was the manager decision!” I still can’t believe what happened to me! Seriously! I feel so horrified by such attitude from ppl, and from staff members who should have taken action against this! Horrible! Hope this doesn’t happen to anyone again!
The brunch performer singled us out for being straight and made me feel awful. They were very intimidating, rude and horrible. I was not in the best place emotionally and this was hard to take. We went to support our gay friends but won't go again. The wait staff on the other hand were lovely. Food was ok.
The guy with the clipboard at the door was extremely rude to us for no reason, making up excuses to not let us in….Before entering the queue I asked one of the security guards if we are allowed to finish our canned drinks while waiting in the queue. She said that we had to drink outside of the queue, I said okay, and then we were also told to step a few feet away from the club, and we immediately did so. A few minutes later we returned to the queue and the clipboard guy did not let us in because apparently my friends and I were “disrespectful”? I told him that we followed the instructions of the security guards, but he lied and said that we were aggressive and didn’t listen????We were all completely sober and respectful at all times. This is ridiculous, very disappointed 🙁
I only popped in for an hour before they closed the drag brunch but it will be one of the highlights of my trip! A much needed friendly, hilarious queer space. Lots of love from Aotearoa NZ 💚🏳️🌈
As soon as we arrived they asked us if we were queer and then gave us a lecture about how to behave in a club which was incredibly patronising. Then security started picking on my boyfriend saying he was too drunk for no reason whatsoever because he wasn’t even drunk! The whole process was super unnecessary and just made us feel uncomfortable - won’t be coming back and recommend you save your time and don’t go either.
Cool party. Cool People. Great music. Great venue. Everyone was nice including staff and guests. Drag queens were dancing the entire night!No place to chill. Smoking area was crowded as hell.Had a great night.
Door staff need reminding about what their responsibilities actually are...It's not their responsibility to make people do catwalks to decide who is 'cool enough' to enter the queue (see video 1).Instead, it is their responsibility is to provide adequate first aid. That doesn't involve, when someone is collapsed, propping them up in splits with all their weight resting through their neck (see video 2). Glad you managed to sell her every drink you could though...Message for the managers; remind your door staff it is a condition of their SIA licensed status to wear the licence where the front can be seen at all times when engaging in the licensable activity. Equally, employing someone to do those activities who isn't licensed is an equally reportable offence. Shape up because it's being watched.
Horrific bar, we saw rats 🐀 running through the downstairs and they weren’t the miserable door staff. I’m shocked how this place has a licence to produce food and even more the structure of the building feels like it’s about to crumble. I’d avoid it as I feel like it’s highly likely to be the origin of the next plague!
Tho the ever-extendable acronym makes me cautious, sometimes I call in here in the daytimes. The beer seems well kept and the place bright and airy. Food was fine on the one time I tried it also.
They have a new stupid policy. If you're a group bigger than 4 just pretend you are not together or they'll kick you out. Silly I know... They're thick. Not sure what goes on in their mind and how this makes sense, but be aware and pretend! We live in silky times! 😉
Another ‘queer’ space that is unwelcoming to fem presenting queer women. Such a shame as I’ve really wanted to enjoy Superstore but have been made to feel unaccepted every time I’ve visited for events.. Not too bad as a bar though. Queer spaces need to work on accepting ‘straight looking’ women
My siblings and I went to have some brunch and a couple of drinks. We had fun and food was okey, except for a very rude bartender that treated us very bad, talking to us un respectfully, but that’s not a prob because we are open minded even with “divas” 🫶🏼🏳️🌈
Super friendly, super queer. Great vibes.Unfortunately tonight (a Thursday) was bit of a super young (18-21) crowd, not that there was anything annoying with them, I just felt like the old monster on the hill by comparison. But apparently weekends are better for late 20s/early 30s people. Will have to go back on a Friday/Saturday.
So many of the bad reviews here I have to question a bit - Superstore is one of my favorite spots in London, and they let in plenty of people who aren't over the top queer. When I've seen them turn away people who really just don't vibe right, they're always very kind about it. As a community, queer people deserve spaces to be free to exist - not objects for others to look at us. To this extent, Superstore has always been a place I've felt very comfy.My friends and I have had two bad nights in the last few months and welfare went over the top to check on us - the first time emailing us, and the second time finding us on the dance floor just to check we were okay. I wish that they had more than vibes to go on, and I understand - especially for newbies to the queer scene - the fear of having to vibe right is hard, but Superstore is _very_ inclusive for queer people, the few times I've seen people turned away, I had seriously bad vibes from them too.I've seen reviews saying they're ageist, but there was a 59 year old there this Friday night and she was _awesome_ and very wanted. She fit the vibe so well; and helped me find myself and my new name. Superstore is small, chaotic, and not a place for everyone by any means. But it's a place for us and our community, and the staff are friendly, kind, and always do their very best for the community. Don't be put off by the other reviews if you're looking to find yourself, and let yourself be free. Come with love, respect, and a desire to let go of everything. Especially on a Friday or Saturday night, the basement really is the basement of dreams.
It’s a hard find: Brazilian food (Great quality too), vegan (but properly made), queer friendly, and fun. I love it. The exhibitions are also very nice. Sometimes I wish the music wasn’t as loud, so we could chat to friends too.
We spent around 5:00 p.m., which is generally closed in the area, and they took great care of us. Incredibly beautiful, the attention, the atmosphere and the excellent vegan dishes. we will definitely be back 🫰🏻
Wasn't a fan of the drag show, could have been better but the place itself was great. The decorations and music were nice , the waitress were very kind and attentive, and most importantly the food was very good.
We were touristing London and found the bar online. The bar has a really nice atmosphere and super friendly staff! But of course it was the two queens that hosted the drag show (free booking!) who stole the show. It's a truly remarkable bar, a safe space for all lgbtq, and we felt really welcome. Best moments: when Karma climbed the "stage" and the beginning of Inga Rock's singing career:-)
Horrid security, do avoid. I was trying to enter with previously bought tickets and wasn't let it. The reason? One of the girls from the group (loosely put, she was just there for a meet up predrinks, not someone I know at all) had some substances on her that I didn't know about and had no intention of consuming. I politely asked the security member for a refund for my ticket, offered them my bag to confirm that I had nothing on me and the male security guard very rudely informed me that I will be deported because drugs are illegal in the UK (just because I don't speak in English accent). Manager was much nicer, but I had to insist to speak to them for solid 15 minutes. Let's see whether they end up refunding me.
A sick and sexy atmosphere at 12 in the afternoon 😉 the staff and queen were lovely and tried to get to know all at a personal level and not be robots. The staff was honest with wait times but the food was worth it. The performance was not as frequent with half hour breaks between, so in an hour and a half sitting we heard 3 songs, but again, with no reservation charge and good food, it was fab.
Rudest place and unfriendliest staff ever in London (black woman at the door profiling people based on their appearance, with a clear intention to discriminate). Please be careful for your own safety. DO NOT GO HERE if you don't want to have an unpleasant experience.
Loved this Club, music was great, bar staff were great, performers were great. I had a brilliant night!The security out from were so friendly last night, complimented my outfit too which made me feel good!The venue is quite small, and we couldn’t find a place to put our jackets which was annoying, so we lost a jacket.Overall I had a really really good night here and I definitely 100% would come again!
Very rude woman at the door, questioning and judging people on their “vibe”. Created an uncomfortable atmosphere in the queue whilst changing price of entry depending on their “vibe”. Overall a very strange and creepy experience for a place that’s meant to be one of the most inclusive spots in east London. If you’re coming here make sure to assess your “vibe” and memorise who’s playing that night.
Rudest door staff i have ever encountered. They told us to to tell half of our group to just go home because they don’t let groups larger than 4 in. It is despicable of a so called queer venue to force local LGBTQ people to separate themselves from their chosen family simply to enter a second rate club. Strongly recommend against visiting and will not be returning.
Queued for 2 hours, shouldn't admit people to the queue if its that long a wait - or at least be upfront. Charged more than advertised (despite entry 30 minutes before music stopped). Security were rude but staff of the venue were nicer including door attendant. Only 1 toilet despite size of venue (very grim) and overpriced cloakroom.Inaccessible lower floor. Would love to comment on atmosphere if we hadn't been admitted 30 minutes before music stopped (which was 40 minutes before advertised end of night).
Me and two friends tried to go here last night and were told by staff that the queue was closed for 20 minutes. We had no issue with this, went somewhere else for a little while, then came back. We were then told, despite being super polite and doing as told, that the place 'wasn't for us' and we would not be admitted, no matter what. We are three creative, laid-back people, I am a woman of colour and my friend is bisexual, we were dressed very 'East London' whatever that means, we were not at all drunk, so we were merely confused as to what exactly about us was not qualifying for entry, as we could see swathes of scruffily dressed straight men being let in. As soon as we (politely!) asked what about us was wrong for the venue, we were told we were 'entitled' and that is why we weren't being let in, which was a bizarre conclusion and rather horrible thing to say to a group of people whose lives you know nothing of and you have just met. I can only assume they were making strange conclusions based on what some might perceive to be our 'posh' accents. My friend who is bisexual was especially upset and brought to tears by our treatment here.If we had been told that there were too many straight people, or something else concrete, we'd have understood, but maybe would have been stunned at them making such an assumption. But to turn us away because we 'seemed entitled' feels like a horrible, baseless reason.Not a safe space. Horrible staff. Do not give them your business.
Really nice drinks and the crowd is cool - But the speakers/sound are so bad, my ears started ringing after 30 mins in there. There was no bass and the highs were just unpleasant to listen to. Turn the volume down, guys. What’s the point to turn it up if one’s ears start hurting?
We were a group of gay and bi people. Went here with my friend who recently came out. We went here so that our friend could experience his first ever gay bar. Queued up as a group for over half an hour just to be turned away because we weren’t “regulars”. For a community that promotes inclusivity this place was pretty much the opposite of that. If it’s your first time here, I wouldn’t recommend - go out somewhere more welcoming.
Door staff are the worst I have ever come across. Incredibly un-professional and discriminatory towards me. Me and my friends queuing up to get in, was told that I "didn't look gay or part of the community" . Funnily enough, this is not the first time this has happened to me at this venue! Managers dont care that there staff are destroying the thing Dalston Superdtore is trying to do, with it being a "safe-space" for people of the community.Nothing safe about this place.I have reported this event to two London based LGBTQIA+ chairities and organisations that my friends work for, so you can get your door staff educated better...
Hit and miss for queer groups. If you are less than 3 people crack on, but a larger group (we were 6) looking for a safe space to dance be prepared to be denied entry. We didn't fit the aesthetic vibe of the night and were refused entry. Have previously enjoyed many a great night here which makes the change in entry policy ever more noticeable. Doesn't feel like a safe space for "average" queer community anymore.
Was refused entry as not Gay absolutely stunned was excited to visit. To be told Limited space for their own kind... other way round would be chastised so disappointed.
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE PLACE TO GO. DO NOT RECOMMEND. The general manager Perry the Platypus, I mean Perrin was a total narc! I requested a cup of water and he spit in it because I asked for ice as well. The bathroom has poop everywhere and roaches washing their hands. 0/0 if I could
i’ve spoken to sen on the door twice now and he absolutely made my night both times - so friendly and lovelyim editing after coming here even more!! toby was on the door and he was so kind and made me feel so comfortable before i even got in!in terms of security, kevin and chrissy were both so lovely and really made sure to look after me and my friends! the staff here are really aware of the LGBTQ community and are always ready to care for you!
Went there for brunch, Drag Brunch, veggie/vegan dishesI took a “Full Brazilian” and an iced latte, and I shared a vegan board with my group…it came at ~20£ for my partIt was very fun and I loved also the performance of the Queen, dancing and singingI know they do some “events” (like quizzes) every now and then during brunch
The fact that you’re taking up 3/4 of the pavement then have the audacity to move people off of the remaining 1/4 pavement you so kindly left. So ducking ableist you’re taking up so much of the pavement in the first place - what if someone needs mobility aids.
Awful place. Bouncers are knobs and didn’t let me and my two friends in for seemingly not being gay. Understandable however there a couple and felt very upset after that they weren’t valued members of the community and just based on appearance shunned away. So the bouncer with the dead whispy beard do one
Fun ambiance, very welcoming and entertaining drag queen shows, highly recommend for brunch! Nice cocktails like mimosas and bloody Marys, lattes and hot chocolates! Loved the art/prints photos and the vegan food with a Brazilian hint: the chickpeas pancakes were surprisingly tasty
Bouncers separated me from my friends in the queue, would not explain why and expected me to leave on my own at 1am in the morning. Continued to harass me outside while I waited for my friends to collect me. Staff clearly have no regard for the safety of women. I've never had such a stressful scary and negative club experience before. Would not recommend going here if you care about your safety.
Bouncers harrassed me, singled me out then expected me to leave on my own as a woman in London at 1am. No reason given. No regard for the safety of their...
We were told that we couldn't enter as we were a group of 6, 30 people in the queue behind us. Fake reason....Very rude! Going she bar, only place that is accepting of women. Hate having men being rude and derogatory to Women. Bouncers were the worst and just singled us out for no reason. Never had any issues in the past. We were very respectable.
I won’t be spending my money at any lgbtq+ Venues that require some kind of digital health IDs or whatever you want to call it. They’re pretending to care about health while half of their regulars are in the bathroom lines for other kind of lines LOL. Showing useless covid passports won’t change the scientific facts unfriendly, extremely woke that they’re blinded. Spend £10 on a drink somewhere else you can enjoy your night out folks!
I've been here several times, daytime they serve food and it's nothing amazing. Their drinks are pricey for what they offer anyway. I'll be boycotting any...
Absolutely fabulous bar! The staff brought such a fabulous atmosphere, max was delightful!Shame they have rude security, I witness a woman bouncer being so rude and aggressive towards a young lady, it was uncalled for and she looked like she was going to cry bless her, sort door people out but still 5 stars for how fantastic staff was!
Great service and covid management. The staff are really friendly and happy to assist where possible. Such a good atmosphere, look forward to visiting post restrictions
The title sums this review up. The atmosphere is great. The food is atrocious. I opted for the burger. It was inedible, perhaps the worst I have ever tasted. The staff were rude and forgot part of our order. However, I would consider returning for cocktails, they were delicious. Just don't expect friendly staff or decent food.
Very sensible social distancing implementation. Excellent cocktail service. Although I'm afraid I must knock a star off as I found the drink ordering app really hard and confusing to use at first ☹️☹️☹️ My favourite moment of the evening was when a drag queen was doing a performance involving crawling across the bar, it was IMMEDIATELY blasted with disinfectant by particularly diligent member of staff. It was the most 2020 thing I'd seen all day.
In spite of Covid, there was a great atmosphere. Generally impressed at how clear the expectations of the experience were communicated. Naturally customers were restricted to tables, but we're offered entertainment and staff were permanently present. They were well informed and understood the seriousness of the changes due to covid.Systems in place for paying remotely and the service was still quick. There was virtually no wait for drinks.Stunning example of somewhere taking things seriously while keeping everyone safe. Clear instructions on how to move around the bar - following arrows to toilet etc. Brilliant atmosphere, highly recommended.
The weekend brunch is amaazing! The Basic Brunch is as delicious and beautiful as the people serving - you just don't know what you want to eat! Its like an island of relief between Upper Street and Stokey, one of the best spots to be fed and entertained in the area
Other than it having too few toilets (resulting in lengthy queues even if folk double up) this plays host to a pleasantly crowded and utterly random night...
Saturday's mornings are made for my laundry, a bit of house cleaning and catching up on TV. Sometimes there is even room in there for nursing a hangover...
So I won't lie, I was slightly blurry when I went here on Friday but I don't think that's just because of the alcohol. The place itself is a blur of noise,...
I'm so sorry to do this to you guys but you just let me down. This place is a Jekyll and Hyde venue, posing as a cafe/restaurant by day and a gay bar by...
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