Practically untouched since its April 1985 opening (with dusty boots dangling from the ceiling to prove it), John Edwards's bar The Backstreet (referred to as simply 'Backstreet') abides by its strict fetish dress code, and the pay-off for its loyal leather and rubber clientele is an unfussy, dark and atmospheric cruising space — the closest thing London has to an old-style European leather bar. Its one 21st-century addition is a candlelit and part-heated outdoor smoking zone m...
Practically untouched since its April 1985 opening (with dusty boots dangling from the ceiling to prove it), John Edwards's bar The Backstreet (referred to as simply 'Backstreet') abides by its strict fetish dress code, and the pay-off for its loyal leather and rubber clientele is an unfussy, dark and atmospheric cruising space — the closest thing London has to an old-style European leather bar. Its one 21st-century addition is a candlelit and part-heated outdoor smoking zone marked by an industrial, storage-area feel. From here you get a view of the rest of the building above, and quite aptly it resembles a ruin. Post-10pm Friday and Saturday hours enforce the dress code, while the 6–10pm slots cater to special interests including office-wear enthusiasts Gentlemen (first Tue), plus naked Unzipped (check website). In January 2014, following a period of relatively lacklustre attendance, leather/rubber/cigar aficionado Brew Hunter hit big with new night Mastery (“leather, smoke & submission”), albeit with an upped entrance fee. Mastery [see entry] has inspired other regular nights including the DJ-led Meat Rack. Online-led event Rubbermen of London (younger and shinier) launched in December 2017, with MJ Palmer's LTX from 2020. Formal-wear leather specialist org. BLUF also stages its events here, plus cigar-friendly Ignite. In short, London's finest fetish establishment, with leather waistcoats available to borrow should you arrive in only textiles. Beware very strict boot policy, though these too are available from the ever friendly and accommodating cloakroom. Naked club Buff moved from here to Bunker [see entry] in January 2019. Developers have been trying to give Backstreet the boot for many years — the rest of the building is dormant — but it appears to be chained to the premises (thanks to a sympathetic local council). In 2019 Backstreet won yet another stay of execution, with a certain fanfare in the press, but the future remains uncertain. For the record, the space originally existed in 1984 as Benjy's 2 – an underpopulated subsidiary bar linked to upstairs club Benjy’s (started late 1970s); Edwards then transformed the space in 1985. Located just a minute's walk from Mile End tube station on the District and Central lines. Re-opened 'post'-COVID on 3 September 2021. On 30 May 2022 Backstreet announced that it would be closing its doors forever on 17 July 2022. Developers Galliard will not be renewing the lease. The only hope would be for someone to buy the building from Galliard and then allow Backstreet to stay – a highly unlikely scenario. Devastating news indeed.
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