Welcome to Club Are, one of the most interesting queer parties in London. But labelling it ‘a party’ would be limiting; its founders, Mika Kailes and Abdula Jama, don’t want a place “to get wasted and disappear,” instead, they aim to create “something with substance and intention.” And you know what they say: if you want something done, you better do it yourself.
The dancefloor has been a place of communion and community since its invention. It’s helped bring people together, strengthened relationships, and created new, unexpected links with likeminded party-goers. That rings especially true within LGBTQ+ folk, who have often found solace, refuge, and help on the dancefloor. With Club Are, Mika and Abdula bring something else to the table: artistic installations that radically transform the space, extremely well curated lineups, and an atmosphere built with care. Ahead of their new summer edition this upcoming July 26th, where they’ll also fundraise money to support London’s Trans Pride, we speak with the founders about queer nightlife, community building, and next steps.
Hey guys, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. First of all, who’s behind Club Are?
Club Are is run by the two of us, Mika Kailes and Abdula Jama. Mika comes from a background in fashion and fine art, and Abdula has worked across hospitality and community-focused spaces. We’ve both been part of London’s creative and queer nightlife scenes for years, and Club Are grew out of a shared desire to bring all of those worlds together –music, art, fashion, and performance– in a way that feels intentional and rooted in community.
Partying and clubbing is something we’ve been doing since our teenage years. What sparked your interest in getting behind the scenes and organise your own thing?
We’ve both grown up on the dancefloors, but over time we started to feel like a lot of nights weren’t giving us what we were looking for: something with substance and intention, and grounded in queer culture. We didn’t just want a place to get wasted and disappear, we wanted a space where people could actually feel something, dance, and be part of something creative. Club Are came from that, a night where music, visuals, and performance are all part of one shared atmosphere, built with care.
Club Are goes beyond a party or club; it’s a cultural movement, a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, and a place for community. Could you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind this?
At its core, Club Are is about creating a space for queer expression in all its forms. We work with DJs, artists, and performers from within the community, and treat each event as something shared — not just a club night, but a platform. Safety and inclusivity aren’t something we add on top, they’re part of every decision, from who’s involved to how we shape the space and communicate with our crowd. Club Are is just as much about care as it is about energy.
Earlier in June, you organised your biggest event yet, with two stages, lots of DJs, and art installations. How was it?
It was our most ambitious one so far, and it really felt like a step forward. We had two rooms, a full day-to-night programme, and installations from Kalman Pool and Nicole Gordon. The whole thing came together through a big crew of artists, DJs, performers, and friends. It wasn’t just about doing more, it was about creating something that would challenge what we’re trying to achieve. People really responded to the energy and the thought we put into it.
Your next event is July 26th. What can people expect this time?
This one feels really special: a full twelve-hour edition from 6pm to 6am at Archives in North London. It lands on Trans Pride weekend, which makes it especially important. The night will carry the same Club Are spirit: strong visual direction, progressive hard house sound, a lineup that moves through different chapters. It’s going to be sweaty, emotional, high-energy, and celebratory in every sense. Once again the space will be transformed by a featured artist, and we’ve got a very exciting collective coming over from Berlin to collaborate.
This next event will also fundraise money for London’s Trans Pride. It’s a great initiative, especially now that transphobia is on the rise worldwide, and more especially with the new rulings in the UK. Why do you feel it’s important to support the cause?
Club Are wouldn’t exist without trans artists, dancers, and the wider community. Supporting Trans Pride felt like the most natural thing, especially now, when trans rights are under constant attack globally. It’s about more than statements, it’s about showing up with real support. The dolls give the most, on the dancefloor, in the community, through joy, care and resistance, so it’s only right that we give back however we can.
“We started to feel like a lot of nights weren’t giving us what we were looking for. We didn’t just want a place to get wasted and disappear, we wanted a space where people could actually feel something, dance, and be part of something creative.”
How do you build your lineups?
It always starts with the atmosphere, the energy we want the night to hold and the story of that particular edition. From there, we think about the artists who can bring that to life sonically. Our music programming leans toward high-energy sounds: progressive house, hard house, techy and percussive rhythms, always uplifting, but with depth and intention. We love working with producers, as they tend to have a strong sense of sound and artistry behind it, and often deliver something distinctive that fits to the vision we’re building. The aim is to create a cohesive journey, not just a lineup, but an experience where each set adds a new layer to the night.
Taking a quick trip down memory lane, do you remember the most remarkable, memorable party (outside of your own Club Are) that you’ve attended? Or some anecdote that’s still vivid in your memory?
There have been many, but it’s always those early morning hours — when the energy softens and something more intimate opens up. One that stands out was an afterhours at a friend’s loft apartment, a small, creative crowd, decks in the living room, friends playing spontaneous b2b sets. The atmosphere was loose but focused, with a real sense of connection and presence. That kind of setting –unpolished, communal, and full of intention– has definitely shaped how we think about space and energy at Club Are. And in London, the afterparty often ends up being the part that stays with you.
There is a lot of conversation around clubs and the dancefloor as a sacred space for community, especially among LGBTQ+ folk. How do you ensure Club Are helps build community, relationships, and is truly a safe haven for minorities?
We build the night with people we know and trust: collaborators, artists, crew, and people who share the values behind it. We’re intentional with everything: how the space is lit, how it flows, who’s in the room. It’s not about policing, but about setting the tone clearly. We want people to feel free, held, and invited into something real. The foundation is respect, expression, and care — that’s what makes it feel safe.
What’s your take on London nightlife right now?
There’s no question that it’s harder, spaces are disappearing, costs are rising, and club nights are under pressure. But the underground feels alive. There are so many self-led initiatives, new nights, and creative collectives pushing through. The mainstream might be struggling, but the energy on the ground is still strong. The scene’s evolving, and that comes with its own kind of excitement.
How do you hope Club Are contributes to queer nightlife in London?
We want Club Are to show that you can do things differently, that you can build something collaborative, inclusive, and high-quality without losing the soul of it. That you can hold space for experimentation, community, and care, while still delivering something visually and sonically strong. We hope it becomes a reference point, not just for the way it looks or sounds, but for how it feels.
What’s next for Club Are?
We want to keep growing, but in ways that feel intentional. That doesn’t mean scaling up for the sake of it, it means deepening collaborations, exploring new formats, and building relationships with festivals and institutions that share our values. One of our long-term goals is to create a dedicated Club Are space, where we can bring everything together, from performance and nightlife to cultural programming. We also hope to bring Club Are abroad and connect with other cities and communities. We're ambitious, but always grounded in purpose. Wherever it goes, Club Are will remain rooted in connection, creativity, and care, that’s what drives us forward.
