Steve Lee, General Manager of SubLine, Brighton’s men-only cruise bar, talks to QXMEN about why he decided to open a cruise bar in the seaside city, and tells us what you can expect to find in the basement bar, away from the glitz of Brighton’s streets above.
Since opening in 2010, SubLine has gone from strength to strength and at this year’s Golden Handbag Awards (known as Brighton’s very own gay Oscars) the bar won Favourite Small Venue, regular face Jordy Grimes scooped Favourite Bar Boy, and it also came second in three other categories!
“Brighton has historically been the premier gay destination in the UK, but over the last few years its appeal has begun to wane. London, Manchester, Bristol, and even Blackpool have offered more variety – and, dare I say, sex appeal – to visitors, Steve says.
“While I’ve no intention of being the next Suzie Krueger, it was definitely time for a venue with more of an ‘edge’ to it! I think everyone benefits from the diversity we bring!” While SubLine’s members-only door policy ensures the venue is filled with like-minded men,
“It’s a broad church,” Steve says. “While our core audience are 30-50, with an interest in leather and general fetish, the doors are open to all open-minded gay men. It’s very much a bar – not a ‘sex club’ – and in the winter months it can be a bit like Cheers… but with less lights!”
You’ll find SubLine just off St. James’ Street, Brighton’s main gay drag, and a side door and metal steps lead down into an industrial-style basement. Drinks are best described as ‘pub priced’ with members getting discounts at off-peak times and the bar area is open and chatty.
While some guys are in leather, underwear, or jocks, others are in regular casual wear… Either way, nobody bats an eyelid. Away in the darker areas, lit by slatted red neon, you’ll find the cruisier crowd, patrolling. The locker room provides an opportunity to slip into something more (un)comfortable, and there’s also a brighter, quieter seating area for chilling out too.
Spume, SubLine’s regular Foam Party (a runner-up in the Golden Handbag’s Favourite Club Night category) has gone down in local legend. DJ Nude, who also presides over their underwear parties every Sunday, mixes a “very slightly camp” as Manager Steve puts it, Hi NRG selection to get guys moving, and what goes on under the bubbles stays under the bubbles. “It does always surprise me the number of pairs of trunks we find when we’re clearing up,” Steve tells us, with a wry smile.
Each year SubLine teams up with THT South for the Mr SubLine contest. “!t’s slightly throwaway… There’s no modelling contract or huge prize at the end of it. But it is a highlight of the calendar, and great fun as well as raising funds for the Trust.” It’s also the natural choice of venue for the Sussex Beacon to hold their Bizarre Bazaar. This being Brighton, the local charity receives all sorts of donations not really appropriate for displaying in their shops! Every six months it’s sold around the bar, and an evening fetish party follows.
“We’ve largely avoided promoters and club nights.” Steve tells us. “But for the more hardcore guys we host a monthly fetish night with a more obvious ‘play area’ run by Underground123. We have our first Skin event coming up in October run by BGS (British Gay Skins), the guys behind Oi!Fest at Boltz In Birmingham, and it’s guaranteed to be a thoroughly filthy night!”
• For membership details and info on all forthcoming events, check out www.sublinebrighton.co.uk. Take along the advert in QXMEN for half-price lifetime membership – normally £10
• SubLine, 129 St James’ Street, Brighton BN2 1TH
