On the insistence of Susie, she cajoled me (well that wasn’t very difficult) into going to the BNO at Pink Punters last week. I thought that because I had never been before and there were limited reviews of the event I thought I would give you my own personal experience of the evening which I have to say ranks in my top 5 nights out as Tara.

 

The crowd consisted of Susie  Emma Jessica and Tara. We all stayed at the Campanile hotel opposite this barn of a place. The hotel is absolutely average but it is 100yds to the club and if all you want is to get your head down after a few drinks and clubbing them this is fine. Cost £69 + breakfast for a double room.  We being the alikadoos we are stayed in the bar there until 11pm before negotiating the grass bank down to the club. I wish there was a footpath and I tell you now if its been raining take the stroll along the road to the club.

The BNO is held on the second Friday of every month as it has been at this mad family owned club. The place is not like any nightclub I have been to. The Rainbow signage with Gay Lesbian Bi Transgendered  emblazoned across the frontage makes no mistake, you cannot miss it! You enter through an up and down subterranean passageway that is obviously geared for large volumes of people with plenty of friendly bouncers and  sturdy railings. I estimate the club can take about 2000 people all up but as this was the week of the storms I reckon at its peak no more than 500 were there. All guests said it was very quiet that night.

As you finally rise to the club entrance you are met by the sight of a wall of security cameras (they say 200) for your protection. You pay your entrance fee (£6 before midnight) and have to check your coat. If you are broad shouldered like me then take something light to cover them as that little leather jacket will have to go!

On entry there is long, long room about 40 yds in length and 30 feet wide that is open to the elements on one side and a bar to the left. There are also 3 roaring open fires to keep you warm as you approach the business end of the nightclub. At the end of this room are two noise proof fire doors that lead either on to,  down to (open later) or up to a variety of dancefloors each with a variety of music styles and more dry ice than you could put into the Albert Hall. Up through a narrow staircase is the top quieter bar where most of the trannies start their evening. Its a nice comfortable place to sit meet and enjoy the calm girlie time. There are smaller nooks and crannies but that is the basic layout. They have thought of so many things. Mixed loos, bright makeup rooms and a nice looking (we ate before) restaurant. All in all a top end barn of a club!

The night is based around fun and meeting. Its not a sex or play club! The clientèle varies over the evening with the early crowd 9pm-1am strongly Trannie dominated. After the bars and pubs have closed a different younger crowd arrives to dance and party. They are not necessarily gay just out to have a good time at a place where the staff make the evening. All seemed to be having a good time and the party goes on until 5am! Its relaxed and the girls really do try to dress up for the night. So do make an effort if you are going. They are of all persuasions and nobody, absolutely nobody is phased by a TV. I was stopped by a group of Americans (50+) who were intrigued by Trannies and wanted to know more. For half an hour I explained what it did for me.  45 minutes later and one of the guys was back dressed by his wife on their first night out. They just needed someone to give them the excuse.

If you are reading this and would love to get out for a first time then this is probably the best place I have been to to start. Listen we have all had to go out on our first date (mine was to the much lamented Philbeach) and I have to say this is a better venue, though the Thai food at the Philly was amazing! But if your male side likes the fun of risk then make this place a start. There is nothing more exciting in realising that you can go out without anyone annoying you. Everyone is there to help you and they know how nervous you are.

Pictures of the night can be found at Pink Punters Gallery and this gives you a flavour for what goes on. Its just fun and as probably the oldest one there that night I did not feel out of place. Everyone talks to everyone. There are loads of ‘girls’ there who are on their own and just out to meet and chat. Rumours have it that the Campanile becomes a knocking shop after midnight but others will have to confirm that. For me it was such a brilliant party night that you will see me back there on 11th April

PS Sorry to all those who saw an inebriated ageing tranny falling back down the muddy grassy bank by the Campanile…I really should know better!