Our Story – Colchester’s LGBTQ+ Creative Hub

Founded in 2023 by Jo and Dan (aka Tracey Paper), The Dragonfly Lounge was created to give Colchester a dedicated LGBTQ+ venue celebrating drag, cabaret, and live performance. With support from local artists, businesses, and the wider community, their vision became a vibrant home for creativity and inclusion.

Our stage showcases emerging and established talent through cabarets, residencies, and community events, including live music, drag showcases, bingo nights, and themed socials.

In 2026, we’ll launch The Dragonfly School of Drag, offering workshops and mentoring for anyone looking to explore or refine their performance skills.

The Dragonfly Lounge continues to grow as Colchester’s hub for drag, cabaret, and LGBTQ+ culture — a space where everyone is welcome and creativity thrives.

Our Venue

The Dragonfly Lounge – Colchester’s LGBTQ+ Entertainment Venue

The Dragonfly Lounge is your destination for fabulous drag shows, cabarets, live music, and LGBTQ+ entertainment in Colchester. Our stage celebrates creativity, diversity, and performers from all backgrounds.

We also offer venue hire for private events, parties, and celebrations, with an inclusive, welcoming space designed for everyone to enjoy.

Seating

We hold up to 200 guests, with different arrangements for every kind of event.

Bar

Our fully stocked bar offers the best variety of spirits, drinks and cocktails in Colchester!

Our large cabaret stage means that you can take the spotlight and unleash your inner diva

Stage

If you'd like to talk to us about hosting your dream event with added flair, get in touch with us below.

House Rules and FAQs

Are there any age restrictions?

Do you have to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ Community to come in?

What's the dress code?

We do allow dogs to our venue but we would suggest making sure the event you want them to bring them along to is suitable for your dog's behaviour and personality. Pets will not be allowed to enter on high capacity nights where noise levels would be unsuitable.

Is The Dragonfly Lounge accessible?

Our lounge is fully accessible and thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming, comfortable environment for guests with additional needs. If you may require assistance during an evacuation, please make yourself known to a member of our management team.

Our dress code is simple — anything goes! Just be yourself, wear what makes you comfortable, and enjoy your time with us.

You don’t have to be gay to come in — everyone is welcome! Our lounge is an inclusive space open to all who are respectful, kind, and ready to enjoy good company.

Are dogs allowed?

Children are welcome in our venue when accompanied by a responsible adult. However, parents and carers should be aware that some content may be unsuitable for younger audiences, and most of our shows—unless specifically billed as family-friendly—are recommended for ages 14 and over. Please speak with our staff if you’d like advice on the suitability of a particular event. Under-18s will not be served alcohol, and all guests may be asked to provide valid ID in line with our Challenge 25 policy.

Do you tip the artists?

We don’t have a tipping system for our artists, but if you’d like to show your appreciation, you’re very welcome to buy them a drink — just let our bar staff know, and we’ll add it to their tab for you.

What sorts of shows do you have?

We host a diverse mix of shows, including live music, drag, comedy, spoken word, cabaret, craft events, and community markets — there’s always something vibrant and unique to enjoy! We'd love to hear any suggestions for events you'd like us to put on. Check out our What's On Page for more details.

We reserve the right to refuse service at the bar to anyone behaving inappropriately or appearing intoxicated, and we operate a strict zero-tolerance policy on drugs within the venue.

We’re a vibrant show bar hosting a wide range of events driven by customer demand — from live music and drag to comedy, spoken word, and more. Many of our shows are free, and for ticketed events, you can purchase tickets online or at the door. We’re committed to keeping things affordable and are proud that so many of our guests tell us how safe and comfortable they feel here. Your enjoyment, safety, and comfort are our top priorities — we want you to have a fantastic time every time you visit!

FAQs