Both Copenhagen and London, two very cultural cities, only one have prominent Lesbian bar in each of their cities. This puzzles me, especially spending time in Copenhagen where you cannot walk down a street without seeing a gay flag announcing a bar, or dildos in the window of a sex shop, or even finding yourself in the red light district. However, even with the accepting sex and lifestyle scene here, only one bar aimed directly towards lesbians: Vela. The same goes for London, apparently Candy Bar is the only major lesbian bar. I'm not going to do a cultural analysis of why there would only be one major lesbian bar in each of the cities, but instead I am going to review them to give you all an idea of the worldly lesbian bar scene. I'll break the comparisons up into the major aspects of the bars and experiences:
First off, the bars are extremely different in one major aspect: Their sizes.
Coincidentally, the sizes of the bar fit perfectly with the sizes of the city they are in. Vela, in the small city of Copenhagen, is very small itself. One floor, a Foosball table, a few booths and other small tables, and a very small bar. All in all, on a Friday night, it feels very full and crowded. The full feel does not feel very claustrophobic, however, but almost the Danish 'hygge' cozy, intimate feeling.
Candy Bar, on the other hand, represents London's much larger size as a three story bar and dance club. When you walk in, you are greeted by a large room filled with woman and a very large bar that wraps around the first floor. There is plenty of seating along the walls, but most women find themselves upstairs or downstairs from the main floor. The downstairs provides a packed dance floor with a smaller bar but tons of women in the medium sized area dancing with one another around a DJ. The top floor of the bar has a very cozy feeling, quieter music provided by two televisions on the wall with music videos, and a handful of very comfortable couches arranged in areas for groups to sit together. All in all, the bar's size creates much more of a club feeling in comparison to Vela's bar scene and Foosball table.
The music/dancing: If you are looking to dance, Vela is not really the place to go. The music is usually quieter and chill, but sometimes very goofy-backstreet boys or other random American throwbacks. Sometimes when a popular enough song comes on, people do dance along. Perhaps that is why there is only one lesbian specific bar, if lesbians really want to dance- they will go to one of Copenhagen's gay (male) clubs. I'll withhold from stereotypes as to why this would be an obvious idea. Candy Bar, however, providing the downstairs DJ, dance floor, and awesome music is a great place to go to dance with some girls.
The appearance: Vela is themed to the Orient, as all of the reviews and the bar's history will tell you. There is lots of red, wood paneling, and themed art on the walls. The bar is located in the red light district, and used to be a strip club. Candy Bar boasts flashy lights, blue glows, and dark colors to set the mood.
The ladies: I actually have to say, quite similar. At both bars, I have been approached by women. They seem to be outgoing and friendly in both cities and interested in meeting new people. I would imagine, with only one bar, the lesbian scene must be similar to Smith: you kind of know everyone, and if you don't know them, you still probably know their business. I like to think my fresh new face is a positive addition to my overall good looks and charm. I can feel you all rolling your eyes from the states.
SO, the two bars provide very different aspects of lesbian culture and going out. Vela, more personal and laid back, while Candy Bar's loud music and dance scene is less personal- although they do provide quieter areas if you find someone you are actually interested in talking to. Overall, it seems that while the Danish girls are playing Foosball and chatting, the ladies at Candy Bar have their hands full in other ways. I give both bars a big, plaid, lesbian thumbs up!
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