Louise's

ABOUT

Louise's was a basement club at 61 Poland Street, Soho, which opened in 1973 as one of the first lesbian clubs in Soho, run by a Frenchwoman known as Madame Louise. In 1976 it became a hangout for London's early punks. The building is now an invitation-only venue called House Party Soho.

SIGNIFICANCE

Historic England records that in 1976 the Bromley Contingent, including Siouxsie Sioux, were regulars, along with members of the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Slits. The photographer Bob Gruen recalled Malcolm McLaren taking him there in late 1976 and finding the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Billy Idol and Siouxsie and the Banshees drinking in the basement.

MUSIC & CHARACTER

SOURCES

Details compiled from public sources. Run this venue? Get in touch to confirm or correct the listing.

1. https://historicengland.org.uk/campaigns/visit/walking-tours/queer-soho-walking-tour/club-louise/ (official website)Supports: Louise's opened at 61 Poland Street in 1973 as one of the first lesbian clubs in Soho, run by a Frenchwoman known as Madame Louise.
2. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/oct/05/sid-vicious-sex-pistols-paul-dacre-bob-gruens-best-photograph (news article)Supports: Malcolm McLaren took the photographer Bob Gruen to Louise's in late 1976, where the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Billy Idol and Siouxsie and the Banshees were drinking in the basement.