On a cold Monday night in Falmouth, I found myself sat with many others gathered, listening to poetry performed by those around. Usually Monday nights in town are eerie and empty as most are wrapped up warm watching the tele, but on this night, pint in hand, I was sat enjoying the ambience of the new bar. A space which invited my friends and I in, to be a part of a university society event, whilst offering affordable drinks in a comfortable setting. The lights were dimmed and moody, creating a quirky but soulful atmosphere. We sat as Amber Coultham performed with emotion and desire, connecting me to the moment I was in; immersed in the powerful words which left her mouth.
Small ships decided to sail away after 7 years as one of Falmouth’s drinking hot spots. Fear not, the rustic bar along the main high street decided to rebrand, with new owners naming it The Black Cat.
On Halloween night the new radical bar opened its doors welcoming the public with pink neon lights and plant-based cocktails. The bar is open for business once again and intends to “introduce inclusivity and diversity into the heart of Falmouth.”
You might even recognise Em, one of the new owners of The Black Cat, from their other business in town; The Bean Hive By The Sea. Their bright pink shop sells a range of products which show support for the LGBTQ+ community, whilst also commenting on societal issues.
Amber Coultham performing at The Undead Poets society night taken by Scarlett Stone
The Black Cats opening was a success with the new drinks and cocktails introduced. We await the weeks to come; to see how the business grows and how it handles criticism.
The Bean hive by the Sea has faced controversy before as some customers feel the items the store sells are ‘disrespectful’. To combat this the owners printed the negative reviews and comments and displayed them on posters on the front windows.
However, after speaking to Em and Cal, they talked about their intentions for the bar. They believed that ‘Falmouth was lacking two essential things: a cocktail bar which focused on quality, but not at hotel price and an LGBTQ+ inclusive space.’ They didn’t intend to label the establishment as a ‘gay bar’, but connotations followed as they aimed for a radical and inclusive space for all, whilst focusing on the LGBTQ+ community. “We wanted to avoid calling ourselves a Gay bar as the mind instantly rushes to clubs in Soho which are sweaty, loud and fun.”
Falmouth offers a range of different bars and pubs already, with a lot of plat-based restraints to accompany them. As the traditional Small Ships establishment set sail, it left a gap in the high street. However, Falmouth has pubs such as Finn’s, The Mariners and The Chainlocker, which are all examples of traditional local pubs. Hence why the question was proposed by the new owners: what was Falmouth missing? As a town full of pride and inclusivity it is, definitely short of spaces which advertise inclusivity predominantly aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, until now that is.
The option of buying the bar off a close friend came up and they jumped at the opportunity to create a space people could go to after work to ‘de-stress’. With the combination of Em’s marketing knowledge and Cal’s years of experience running bars upcountry, the pair have started their journey to create a place which is fun and safe whilst serving the highest quality drinks. They intend to keep an atmosphere that is welcoming and extensive.
Quay Street, Falmouth