The Queer Line Dance Club at Walthamstow Trades Hall is drawing in fans of line dancing from across East London, writes Halimah Choudhry
Hiding away in the innocuous Walthamstow Trades Hall, the faint sounds of stomping boots and country music spill out onto the street. I’ve come to the Queer Line Dance Club which draws in fans of line dancing from across East London.
Inside, I watch heels stamp in unison on the wooden floor, laughter cutting through the music, as attendees move in synchrony. The idea of a line dance in East London in 2026, much less as an LGBTQ+ event, could seem unlikely. But, it’s a trend gaining momentum worldwide, with roots linking queer communities to line dancing as far back as the 1980s.
I ask Billi and Sinead, who run the sessions together, why they think that is.
“Over the last few years, there’s been a huge resurgence in country, especially amongst queer people,” says Billie.
The pair point to groups like the Australian Saddle Club and the US-based Stud Country, and explain how the Queer Line Dance Club was brought to London by Canadian Nessie Nankivell.
But the appeal isn’t just because it’s become a trend, it’s what the space offers. For the queer community “to feel comfortable in their body, to learn something new, to not be judged is incredibly important”, Sinead tells me. “We get to make a space where people feel invited.”
“Can you tell we love it?” Billi asks, laughing, and I can. Their passion is clear, and infectious – which shows in their teaching. The sessions have quickly proved their appeal, drawing a mix of regulars and newcomers. For many, it’s the feeling that stands out. “I love laughing, I love getting it wrong – it’s the energy,” one attendee tells me.
The classes are designed to be open and flexible, welcoming people regardless of experience. “That’s why people love it — you can drink or not drink, stay for ten minutes or the whole night. There’s no pressure to join in, or to be good,” they explain.
In a space free from judgement, people are encouraged to take part at their own pace, and the moves are broken down so simply that even the dance illiterate like me can follow along.
But these spaces are becoming harder to find. Venues like the Trades Hall are “disappearing” across London, Billi says, and especially ones with a traditional wooden dance floor.
“People love this venue, it feels authentic, and charming,” Sinead tells me. “We want to be a part of keeping it alive.”
I can understand the sentiment; the space is beautiful, and harkens back to a time when social dances and community gatherings were far more commonplace. But, on a Thursday evening like this, the Walthamstow Trades Hall certainly feels alive.
The Queer Line Dance Club is held at Walthamstow Trades Hall on alternating Mondays and Thursdays, 7-11pm, see @queerlinedanceclub on Instagram for upcoming dates.
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