AMBI Club Nights, Bromley’s trailblazing queer venue, has unveiled a new Drag Race competition celebrating diverse local drag talent. With a focus on bi, pan, trans+, and queer performers, this initiative marks a significant step in creating an inclusive, grassroots nightlife space outside central London.
Bromley’s pioneering queer venue, AMBI, has recently unveiled an ambitious Drag Race competition, reinforcing its pivotal role in London’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. Opened in May 2025 at Cocktail Akademia, AMBI Club Nights has reshaped expectations of local nightlife in one of the city’s most overlooked boroughs. Co-founded by South London locals Nicola, DJ Kaspa, and Steve, AMBI was established with a clear purpose: to create an unapologetically queer, diverse, and inclusive space, specifically catering to the needs of bi, pan, trans+, and queer individuals, fostering a sense of belonging in a community often overlooked by mainstream venues.
Building on its early success, AMBI’s Drag Race is set to ignite the local drag scene, offering a platform where both emerging and established talents can shine. The competition will take place at Seven Seas Bar and Lounge, Bromley’s recently refurbished accessible venue, and is open to all drag artists—queens, kings, non-binary performers, and gender-defying artists—allowing for a vibrant display of creativity and talent that exemplifies London’s diverse drag culture.
AMBI’s initiative reflects a broader mission to challenge the homogenisation of nightlife. Co-founder Steve articulated this sentiment, stating, “When you’re working class and queer, you often don’t see yourself reflected in many venues. When you’re bi, you never see yourself reflected in any venues.” The need for representation has never been more pressing, and AMBI aims to centre the experiences of those often sidelined by commercialised events. Unlike many venues that import high-profile acts, AMBI prioritises homegrown talent, focusing on local performers and grassroots efforts that push the boundaries of gender and art, often without significant institutional support.
For the Drag Race winner, the rewards include a £500 prize and a three-month residency at AMBI Drag Nights, which will continue monthly at Seven Seas Bar. All semi-finalists will receive a goodwill payment in recognition of their contributions, a decision made in collaboration with the performing arts union, Equity. The initiative highlights AMBI’s commitment not only to performance but also to the welfare of its artists.
In addition to the Drag Race, AMBI will host a special Pride warm-up party on 4 July, promising an evening filled with queer joy and celebration ahead of the Pride in London weekend. Designed to foster a safe and inclusive atmosphere, the party aims to attract a diverse crowd, embodying the spirit of Pride and its radical origins. Taking place at Cocktail Akademia in Bromley, AMBI Nights is dedicated to redefining the reputation of the area as a queer destination, offering an alternative to the predominant scenes concentrated in central London.
AMBI emerged from a recognition of the gaps in London’s queer nightlife. Conversations among co-founders revealed a pressing absence of spaces that genuinely catered to queer women, bi/pan individuals, and people of colour, leading to the venue’s establishment. The last dedicated LGBTQ+ venue in Bromley closed over a decade ago, leaving a void that AMBI is determined to fill. Through its programming, the venue strives to uplift marginalized voices and create an inclusive atmosphere where all can feel seen and celebrated.
The arrival of AMBI in Bromley not only serves as a cultural reset but also challenges the prevailing barriers to nightlife access, particularly in a climate marked by rising commercial rents and evolving licensing policies. In the face of increasing threats to LGBTQ+ rights, especially for trans and non-binary communities, AMBI represents a proactive stand against marginalisation, ensuring that its local LGBTQ+ population has a venue to call home.
As AMBI prepares for the Drag Race competition, applications are now open, with auditions set for 27 June and the first semi-final on 10 July. The team invites interested performers to get involved and contribute to this vital cultural landscape, asserting that Bromley deserves a vibrant community space where joy and self-expression flourish.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/06/14/ambi-nights-drag-race/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://ambi-nights.com/ – AMBI Club Nights is a new LGBTQ+ venue in Bromley, South London, offering a diverse and inclusive nightlife experience. Opened in May 2025 at Cocktail Akademia, it aims to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, featuring events like drag performances and themed parties. The venue is committed to challenging mainstream nightlife norms by focusing on community engagement and representation, ensuring that individuals from various backgrounds feel seen and celebrated.
- https://www.qxmagazine.com/area/best-lgbtq-gay-parties-in-london-clubs-june-2024/ – QX Magazine’s article highlights the best LGBTQIA+ parties and club nights in London for June 2024. It features a variety of events, including ‘The Boy Is Mine’ R&B night, ‘Cheer Up Ultimate Party’ with live performances by Tina Cousins and Kym Sims, and ‘Traffic Light Twi-Night’ tailored for lesbian and LGBTQ women. The piece provides details on event dates, venues, ticket prices, and social media links, offering readers a comprehensive guide to London’s vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife scene.
- https://www.outsavvy.com/guide – OutSavvy is an event guide dedicated to inclusive and diverse LGBTQ+ events across the UK. The platform offers a comprehensive list of upcoming events, including drag brunches, cabaret shows, and themed parties. Users can filter events by location, date, and type, ensuring they find activities that suit their interests. The guide also provides options to purchase tickets directly through the platform, making it a convenient resource for discovering and attending LGBTQ+ events nationwide.
- https://www.qxmagazine.com/area/lgbtqia-gay-bars-clubs-in-london-june-2024/ – QX Magazine’s article provides an overview of LGBTQIA+ bars and clubs in London as of June 2024. It features venues like Zodiac Bar, a trans-owned establishment near Camden offering a safe space for the trans community, and Dalston Superstore, a late-night queer bar and club in Dalston. The piece highlights the diverse nightlife options available to the LGBTQ+ community in London, emphasizing inclusivity and representation across various venues.
- https://www.gaytravel4u.com/event/beyond-after-hours-london-special/ – Beyond After Hours is a new safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in Camden, London, offering drag shows, performances, and DJs. The venue operates with varying hours throughout the week, providing a vibrant atmosphere for patrons seeking late-night entertainment. With its commitment to inclusivity and diverse programming, Beyond After Hours aims to become a staple in London’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, offering a welcoming environment for all.
- https://www.skiddle.com/inspire-me/lgbtq-events-club-nights – Skiddle’s LGBTQ+ events and club nights section offers a curated list of upcoming events across the UK. The platform features a range of activities, including drag performances, themed parties, and music festivals. Users can browse events by location, date, and genre, ensuring they find activities that align with their interests. Skiddle also provides ticket purchasing options, making it a convenient resource for discovering and attending LGBTQ+ events nationwide.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no prior publications found. The earliest known publication date is June 14, 2025. The event is scheduled for June 27, 2025, indicating timely reporting. The narrative includes updated data, such as the £500 prize and three-month residency, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from co-founder Steve, “When you’re working class and queer, you often don’t see yourself reflected in many venues. When you’re bi, you never see yourself reflected in any venues,” appears to be original, with no prior usage found.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Canary, a publication known for its independent journalism. While it has a reputation for progressive reporting, it is not as widely recognised as mainstream outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The venue, AMBI, is a new establishment in Bromley, and its co-founders, Nicola, DJ Kaspa, and Steve, have limited online presence, making verification challenging. The Seven Seas Bar and Lounge is a recently refurbished venue in Bromley, but detailed information is scarce.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about AMBI’s mission to create an inclusive space for bi, pan, trans+, and queer individuals align with broader trends in London’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. The £500 prize and three-month residency for the Drag Race winner are plausible incentives. However, the lack of extensive online information about AMBI and its co-founders raises questions about the venue’s establishment and operations. The tone and language used are consistent with community-focused event promotions.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely and original report on AMBI’s upcoming Drag Race competition in Bromley. While the event details are plausible and the direct quote appears original, the limited online presence of AMBI and its co-founders, along with the publication’s independent nature, make full verification challenging. Further confirmation from additional reputable sources is recommended to ensure the narrative’s accuracy.
