Spooky season is upon us, and Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ scene is gearing up for a jam-packed October full of events. Whether you’re into all-night dance parties, low-key social meetups, drag performances, creative workshops or karaoke singalongs, there’s something for everyone to celebrate and connect with the community this month.
If you’re looking to kick off the month on the dancefloor, Grapefruit (Thu 2 Oct) has you covered. This fruity, fun queer dance party at Foundry celebrates diversity and welcomes all. DJ Ollie will be spinning a juicy mix of chart hits, disco grooves and queer anthems – and in honour of Black History Month, they’ll spotlight Black queer artists in the mix.
For those who like their nightlife a bit kinkier, Gut Level unleashes ARMPIT (Fri 3 Oct), a sportswear-themed queer rave where activewear of all kinds is encouraged (think trackies, Lycra, Speedos – whatever makes you feel sexy). The following week, the leather crowd comes out to play at Cruise (Thu 9 Oct), a dyke-centred bar night “for the freaks”. It’s a little more low-key but no less sexy, with low-slung tunes setting the mood.
Gut Level’s calendar is packed – they’re also hosting Grind #2 (Sat 4 Oct), a BPOC-led night for over-30s queer women that will have you sweating to R&B, dancehall, UK garage, afrobeats and everything in between. And mark your diary for Silicone Carbide (Fri 10 Oct) taking over – details are still TBC, but knowing the crew, it’s bound to be another night of underground beats and unapologetic queer revelry.
Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ venues are serving up nostalgic fun and outrageous personality this month too. Dempsey’s presents an 80s vs 90s (Wed 8 Oct) retro showdown hosted by drag DJ Ivabollocoff – a midweek mash-up of throwback pop anthems that will settle the ultimate dancefloor debate between two iconic decades. That weekend, Sassy Saturday (Sat 11 Oct) returns to the Malin Bridge Inn, where DJ Brooke will keep the crowd moving with non-stop bops and hilarious one-liners all night long.
For something completely different, DiaspoRIDDIM (Fri 17 Oct) at Gut Level promises a genre-hopping celebration of migration, identity and music. The legendary DJ Ritu will be at the decks, seamlessly blending everything from Bollywood and bhangra to house and drum ’n’ bass to keep an open-minded crowd bouncing all night. And if you like your club nights on the experimental side, don’t miss SCART Live (Thu 23 Oct) – a one-off show at Gut Level showcasing eclectic electronic sounds (from hybrid trap to emo IDM) in support of a local artist’s new release. It’s the kind of offbeat, creative party that only Sheffield’s underground can serve up.
As Halloween approaches, the queer nightlife scene prepares to raise hell! The folks behind DANDY are descending on Kelham Island’s Yellow Arch Studios for Riot of the Living Dead (Fri 24 Oct), an extra-special Halloween rave bringing their trademark technicolour terror. Alongside resident DJ Adaimia, special guest spinners (IDB and Mandy&Friends) will be raising hell behind the decks into the early hours, delivering the very best in alt-dance, indie bangers, disco faves, wonky pop and queer noise. Expect everything from Lady Gaga to Rammstein – it’s LGBTQ+ clubbing for everybody and every body, with a firm “no TERFs on our turf” policy to keep the dancefloor safe.
The very next night, Studded (Sat 25 Oct) takes over the Hide Lounge Steelyard for the ultimate LGBT+ RnB/bashment/bassline party. Get ready to wine, grind and feel the bass with a bold blend of bangers all night long. Expect high vibes, low drops and a safe, sexy space to be your full fabulous self. And on Halloween night itself, the Disco Divas Sapphic Spooktacular (Fri 31 Oct) invites women and minority genders to Mandala for a devilishly good boogie. It’s a night of disco pop, dance classics and floor-fillers – with yours truly on the decks. Costumes are encouraged and proceeds go to Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ youth charity SAYiT, making this spooky soirée a party with a purpose.
Not feeling the rave scene? If belting out tunes or catching some drag magic is more your style, Sheffield’s got plenty of that as well. There’s karaoke (every Wed) at Dempsey’s with the one and only host Iva Bollocoff ensuring a wild time. And for a singalong with a twist, Dragoke (every Thu) takes over Maggie May’s, where queen Emma Maezin hosts her famous drag karaoke night. Expect an inclusive, friendly crowd and great drink deals for students and industry folks.
Emma isn’t stopping there either. She’s bringing her Drag Karaoke (Fri 10/Sat 18 Oct) to her local pub, The Ball Inn, twice this month – giving you two chances to belt out pop hits, queer anthems and classic tunes remixed with a dance twist. These drag karaoke nights are as welcoming as they are hilarious, so warm up those vocal cords and get ready to slay the mic. Everyone’s encouraged to jump in and sing their heart out.
Of course, it’s not all about partying till the early hours – Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ community also offers plenty of opportunities to connect, learn and find support. The month begins with some thought-provoking discussion: Queer Love, Life and the Law (Wed 1 Oct) at Sidney & Matilda brings together a fantastic panel of speakers to talk all things queer relationships, life and legal issues. It’s a free evening of conversation featuring activists and experts, and is a great chance to ponder and celebrate how far we’ve come – and what challenges remain – in the fight for equality.
If you’re feeling isolated or just fancy a relaxed, supportive space to meet others, Rainbow Minds (every Wed) has you covered. This LGBTQ+ café meetup runs at the Wellbeing Centre, offering a safe and friendly environment for anyone who may be lonely, dealing with mental health issues or simply wants to chat with new people. Facilitated by caring staff and volunteers, Rainbow Minds provides a warm welcome (and plenty of tea and laughs) to folks 18 and over. You can join in activities like games or crafts, or just come for the conversation and company.
There’s also an Over 50s LGBTQ+ Group (Thu 9 Oct) meeting at Weston Park Museum – a dementia- and neurodivergent-friendly peer support group led by older LGBTQ+ community members. This meetup offers a safe space for the elders of our community to share stories and support one another, proving you’re never too old to find your rainbow tribe.
Meanwhile, Sheffield’s trans community can link up at the Trans Safety Net Sheffield (Mon 6 Oct) – a trans-led grassroots harm reduction drop-in where trans folks can discuss community needs and get advice in a safer setting. And for anyone who’s been cautious about going out in crowded venues since the pandemic, the Breathe Easy (Mon 20 Oct) series is tailor-made for you. Breathe Easy is an eclectic programme of social and cultural events designed with enhanced safety measures to reduce infection risk – from smaller gatherings to mask-friendly activities.
Beyond support and advocacy, there are loads of fun socials where you can meet people over shared interests. For a more low-key start to the month, check out Gut Pleasers (Wed 1 Oct) – a communal meal night at Gut Level. Game lovers have not one but two board game meetups to look forward to. The LGBTQ+ Medics and Allies are hosting a Board Games Social (Sun 5 Oct) at the Diamond, and the monthly Rainbow Gamers (Sun 26 Oct) night returns at Treehouse Board Game Café for a friendly evening of games and chats. Both events are designed as low-pressure ways to meet new people – just grab a board game and join in.
If crafts and creativity are more your thing, Craft Social (Wed 8 Oct) at Gut Level invites you to bring along any craft, art or mending project and get creative in good company. It’s run in collaboration with Peak Queer Adventures and is open to all. There’s also a Folk Session (Tue 2 Oct) at Gut Level, welcoming musicians and singers of all experience levels for a traditional tunes jam. This inclusive folk session is led by women and LGBTQ+ folks (though everyone is welcome to join or listen) – so grab a fiddle or just your tapping feet and enjoy an evening of shared music in a judgment-free space.
There are also chances to flex your creative muscles and learn new skills. The Degenerate Art Club (Wed 15 Oct) returns at Gut Level – a trans- and non-binary-focused life drawing evening where you can sketch live models in a relaxed, no-judgement environment. And for the musically inclined, FLAW’s DJ Workshop & Social (Tue 7 Oct) is the perfect place to start your DJ journey. This event is specifically for LGBTQ+ people, women and gender minorities to learn DJ skills or just share music and hang out in a welcoming space.
Sheffield Wednesday’s LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, the Rainbow Owls, are hosting two events for the footy-inclined. They’ll be at The Pangolin for a joint Rainbow Owls Social (Sat 4 Oct) with their friends from Proud Sky Blues (the Coventry City LGBTQ+ fans group). It’s a casual matchday meet-up where fans can bond over a pint before the game. Later in the month, the Rainbow Owls are putting on Wednesday Pride (Thu 16 Oct) at Niagara Conference Centre – a free fan conference (now in its second year) bringing together Owls supporters, allies and sports professionals to discuss the current state of LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
October also brings some amazing live performances to the Steel City. Acclaimed protest singer and comedian Grace Petrie (Thu 2 Oct) hits Sheffield City Hall, combining folk music and stand-up for the first time in a show that promises equal parts laughter and catharsis. Long respected as one of the British folk scene’s funniest and sharpest voices, Grace isn’t afraid to mix satire with sincerity – expect witty takes on everything from politics to LGBTQ+ life, set to an acoustic guitar.
Later in the month, Sheffield’s pop powerhouse Self Esteem (Sat 18 Oct) returns for a huge hometown concert at the Utilita Arena. She’s fresh off releasing her new single If Not Now, It’s Soon and riding high on a wave of critical acclaim – so fans can look forward to an empowering, hit-filled spectacle.
That’s your lot for this month! Make sure to check out the latest event announcements at www.facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents. Until next time – love and rainbows,
Heather x
