LGBTQ+ bar Common Counter to open in London's Brick Lane

Common Counter bar is set to launch in London's Brick Lane in late January, described as a "community-focused, LGBTQ+ driven space".

Based within the Glass House LGBTQIA+ multidisciplinary venue alongside Common Press bookshop and café and the Commons multimedia events space, the bar will serve locally-brewed beers and spirits with a commitment to "affordability, accessibility and inclusivity", alongside alcohol-free beer, mocktails and freshly baked goods.

The bar menu has been designed by general manager Oliver Thomlinson as a celebration of queer history with each cocktail inspired by stories of queer figures, events or folklore, priced at £9.50.

In-house cocktails will include ‘Dance of the Forty One', made with Ilegal mezcal, Sacred Sweet vermouth, nitro cold brew, xocolatl syrup and mole bitters. The drink references a 1901 police raid in Mexico City, where 42 high society men were arrested for wearing ballgowns and engaging in what was seen to be an illicit, opulent affair, an event that has become a symbol of defiance and defining moment in the culture of queer Mexicans.

A rotating beer bottle bar will work with the Queer Brewing Project and wines will be provided by GRAFT, which holds a selection of keg wines. Spirits will include Cold & Blac Coffee Liqueur Dalston, East London Liquor and Victory London Distillery.

There will be a 0% menu and its offering will also be on rotation, priced at £7.50. Drinks will include ‘Failure may be your style', a Seedlip Spice-based drink made with grapefruit juice and nitro cold brew, inspired by writer and raconteur Quentin Crisp.

The walls of the space will be adorned with bold line art pieces from the Line Girl, a queer multidisciplinary artist.

The bar will also host events including weekly ‘Voguing' dance classes, LGBTQ+ fundraisers, book club-style discussions and poetry nights.