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XXL HISTORY
2000 – Mark Ames, frustrated by the sameness of the London gay club scene, launches XXL — London’s first and foremost men-only Bear night, inspired by the inclusive energy of Amsterdam’s club culture. The XXL movement begins.
2001 – A monthly night in Brighton follows, expanding the XXL brotherhood.
2002 – XXL purchases The Arches at London Bridge as its first permanent home, alongside a monthly Birmingham event. The first Bear Necessities — London’s Bear Pride — is born.
2003–2004 – XXL grows rapidly, with Bear Pride rebranded as Bear Pride UK, and international events in Barcelonaand Sitges.
2005–2006 – XXL explodes onto the global stage with XXL Bear Pride and Leather Pride, plus its first US club night in New York City. London’s Arches gets a £300k lighting redesign, cementing XXL as one of the capital’s most advanced clubs.
2007–2009 – XXL collaborates with major US clubs to create transatlantic Bear Pride events, launches XXL Fusion, and hosts international DJs including the Freemasons, Stonebridge, and Dave Audé. XXL Birmingham wins “Best One Nighter” four years running.
2010–2012 – With capacity crowds and queues around the block, XXL seals the deal for its new home: Pulse at Blackfriars. The venue opens in 2012 — one of London’s most technically ambitious clubs, rivaling Ministry of Sound and Fabric. XXL also debuts at Provincetown Bear Week, strengthening its global reach.
2013–2014 – XXL launches its own social app and begins an era of major expansion. Events roll out to The Arches Glasgow, and the club undergoes major improvements — “Bigger, Better, and Bolder.”
2015 – The playful and body-positive Fat Fighters campaign launches, championing the right to be Fat, Funky, and Furry, with monthly pre-clubbing socials: Buffet, Booze, and Bearlesque.
2016–2017 – New resident DJs Paul Morrell and Alex Logan join the team, with Pagano’s tribal residency and guests Hoxton Whores and Moto Blanco. XXL teams up with DEIS3L Madrid and Bear Necessities Amsterdam, uniting Europe’s Bear scene. Construction and Leather nights grow, and the club celebrates its 17th Birthday in style.
2018 – The first XXL Album is released on Apple Music, mixed by Paul Morrell and founder Mark Ames — bringing the XXL sound to fans worldwide.
2019 – In September 2019, XXL dances its last night at Pulse, as the venue closes to make way for an office development. The global Bear community celebrates an emotional finale — a chapter closes.
2020–2022 – The world changes. The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath reshape nightlife, but the XXL spirit endures. Behind the scenes, plans for a rebirth begin.
2025 – XXL returns — relaunching at Club 360 London, a vast new 1,500m² industrial venue in Tottenham Hale.
With three bars, two main dance floors, and a massive outdoor terrace, XXL rises again — stronger, sexier, and louder than ever.