It’s a buzzing Friday night in London’s Elephant & Castle, and a neon-lit crowd is howling with laughter at a joke only we would truly get. This isn’t just any comedy gig – it’s happening at the UK’s first permanent queer comedy club, Betty and Joan’s, a new venue cheekily named after comedy icons Betty White and Joan Rivers.

What began as a wild dream shared by three queer comics has not only become a bricks and mortar reality, it’s also now a 6-part docuseries ‘Building Betty & Joan’s,’ streaming right now on OUTflix!

The series is a delightful mix of renovation reality show meets queer docu-dramedy, following founders Kate Dale, David Ian and Jeremy Topp juggling “construction chaos, chatty bar staff, and their own colourful dating lives” capturing the quest to build a legacy of laughter from the ground up.

As David puts it, “We thought, why not document this craziness? If we pull it off, it’ll be one hell of a story.”

David and Kate recall a time when queer comedians were often just token acts – if they were even on the lineup to begin with! “We’d be the one queer on a lineup, if we were even invited,” David recalls.

That sparked a fiery idea, and in Kate’s own words, “if you can’t find a stage, darling, build your own!”

Betty & Joan’s fabulous founders and docu-series stars Kate Dale, David Ian & Jeremy Topp

And so, together with Jeremy Topp, they set out to open the kind of venue they wished had existed. Betty & Joan’s – affectionately known as “BJ’s” by regulars – quickly became more than just a club; it’s a place where authenticity is the norm, not a novelty, growing a thriving community haven where LGBTQ+ comics and audiences could unapologetically shine.

By late 2024, after countless laughs and a few “you can’t write this stuff!” moments, (like a misplaced shipment of pink feather boas ending up with insulation materials!), Betty & Joan’s flung open its dazzling doors in Elephant Park. The grand opening was a glittering bash, proving that despite all the chaotic creativity, they’d crafted something truly magical.

Philip Webb, the COO of OUTflix and an executive producer on the series, immediately understood its power. “A new gay bar is actually quite an event these days, especially when so many are closing down. We think they (the founders), are funny and likeable and it’s a really interesting story”, adding “I would love to have more content from UK creators!”

For OUTflix, known for spotlighting diverse LGBTQ+ experiences, this uplifting and authentic series was a perfect fit. “It’s a powerful statement of visibility, showing young queer people that achieving the impossible is absolutely within reach,” Phillip tells us.

As David says, “If one baby queer comic sees what we’ve done here and thinks, ‘Wow, I can do that too,’ then we’ve done our job.”

If you’re in London, head down to grab a “Funny Juice” beer, snag a seat for a comedy night, and witness the magic firsthand. You’ll want to say you were there – because this is hilarity and history in the making!

Building Betty & Joan’s is available now for streaming on OUTflix. Follow Betty & Joan’s on instagram for event news!