A city centre-based nightclub, which didn't make it past its second anniversary, has been fondly remembered as a "hidden gem" which was "full of life."
OUT!, arguably one of the most colourful clubs to grace the city, was a safe space welcoming those from all walks of life. Opening in July 2018, the LGBTQ+ venue spread across three floors and featured a showroom, multiple dance floors and bars, a games room and was even described as a venue “thrown up from Katy Perry’s California Girls video". Dotted around the venue, on Cumberland Street, were references instantly recognisable to any true drag race fan.
On Friday and Saturday nights, guests were entertained by a performance every 30 minutes from an in-house show team featuring Krissy Friday, Azzuro Penderghast and Violet Period-Pain. The bar joined the likes of Fusion, Level, SoHo, and McCooley’s as part of the Pub Invest Group and after customers were finished in OUT! they were guaranteed free entry to its sister club, Heaven, just a stone's throw away on Victoria Street.
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When it initially opened, general manager, Ryan Fanthorpe told the ECHO he wanted it to be a “gay McCooley’s or Wetherspoons, somewhere it isn’t super stressed” and somewhere anyone can go to dance the night away.
The short-lived club, which was on the site of the former Lomax club, closed its doors for the final time in August 2019 after operating for less than two years. Azzuro Penderghast, one of the club's resident performers and DJs, told the ECHO : “OUT! was a special little place tucked away on Cumberland street. It was a visual colourful spectacle overflowing with opulence and drama. A club which became a hidden gem of a safe space to many queer peoples of Liverpool. The ones who know, know. It was full of life and it was new. Feeding off the root of the iconic club that was there before, it quenched a drag race thirst we all had.”
The drag queen, originally from Belfast, explained the customer base “was wonderful and full of an amalgamation of all types of queer people”. While working alongside “bar staff who were overflowing with personality,” Azzuro treated guests to quiz nights, bingo sessions and “never shied away from the chance to do a themed show.”
She said: “It’s sad it closed and it's sad it didn’t last long either. I really think it stays in people's minds as a wonderful little moment in the city. Something new and exciting. I think it’s hard to introduce something new amongst places that have fought so hard to belong. People go where they are used to going and we were so grateful for those who came to us. The city has several amazing LGBTQ+ bars and clubs you were almost spoiled for choice. Regardless that it didn’t work I think most could agree the air was different in that place. It holds a special place in mine and so many people's hearts.”
During its time the club even welcomed a few famous faces through its door including RuPaul’s Drag Race queens, Pandora Box, Charlie Hides, Alaska, Adore Delano, and Celebrity Big Brother winner, Courtney Act. Their autographed portraits were scattered around the venue “almost as their seal of approval”, according to Azzuro.
As Azzuro entertained guests on one side of the bar, Bradley James Falcus, the club’s bar supervisor, was quenching their thirst on the other. The 26-year-old was “there from the beginning” helping paint the rooms, tables and chairs. He said seeing it all come together was “honestly amazing and the whole Pride Quarter was buzzing with excitement.”
He told the ECHO : “I'm glad I got to experience it in its opening glory. It was like you were the number one fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and you wanted to renovate your garage into the ‘werk room’ on a budget. It was every gay cliché rolled into one. A delightfully queer experience all around.”
Echoing a similar sentiment to Azzuro, Bradley explained how it never really felt like work because of the team around him. He added: “It was a complete family with jokes, arguments and laughs. Sometimes it's not great to get close to your colleagues but with the team we had, it was inevitable.
" Pride 2018 is my favourite memory. The day is such a fun and exciting time for everyone involved and as much as I think the 14 hours I worked were possibly the hardest of my life, there were just so many funny and heart warming moments throughout the shift which just kept us going.”
While the club won’t be making a return anytime soon, it continues to hold a special place in its staff's hearts. Azzuro added: “I think it was really important for the community it wasn’t like other gay clubs that already existed. Similar but different. I think more relaxed where you could grab a quiet drink and play some pool or get messy and twerk on a stage. Queer folks still need a place that is wholesomely queer, welcoming and accepting of all queer people of all ages.”
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