Max HeyraudIn a city where queer spaces still fight for permanence, Belfast’s MINCE has carved out something rare a sweaty, chaotic, joy-fuelled sanctuary where being yourself is not just welcomed, but celebrated.
MINCE has become a true safe haven for Belfast’s queer club community, a place to get “hot and sweaty with your mates”, to lose the head for a few hours, and to let go. It’s a home for those who need to breathe, dance, and be completely themselves. In an increasingly polarised and turbulent world, Mince feels like it’s more than just a party, it’s a release. It’s not trying to be political, yet its very existence is. For one night, you don’t have to worry about who you are the rest of the week.
The name itself, MINCE, is a reclaimed slur, once used to mock femininity in queer men, now redefined and owned by the collective. It’s a celebration of queerness in all its messy, unapologetic forms. It’s about shaping your own identity and inviting everyone else along for the ride. As they say, “we don’t take ourselves too seriously”, and they really don’t. It’s loud, loving, chaotic, and rooted in the fun side of the club culture canon.
While the night stands as a bastion of freedom and self-expression in Belfast, inherently political in what it offers, Mince gently encourages you to leave your politics at the door. There’s enough of that everywhere else. Here, it’s about the craic. About fun. About the sweat, the music, the messiness of a proper night out.
Sometimes club nights get so caught up in their own “ethos” that they forget what a party is supposed to be. Not Mince. This is a party, in the truest, wildest, most beautiful sense of the word.
What’s Belfast’s queer club scene like at the moment, and where does Mince fit into it?
The queer club scene in Belfast is still relatively small but seems to have a real fire under its bum recently. With more underground parties popping up all the time and staples of the queer scene Ponyhawke going from strength to strength. With our traditional queer clubs becoming more mainstream and often queers not feeling as safe as they once did in them, everyone needs somewhere to feel safe to be their authentic self without judgment. Mince brings a grittier sound to the scene with a mixture of house, electro and a generous smattering of techno. It’s a place to get hot and sweaty with your mates & lose yourself in the music. Everyone needs that.
Banana Block has become the home for Mince as of late. How important is that venue to the crew and the overall vibe of the party?
Alas, we are no longer in Banana Block. We started our Mince in there and we absolutely adored it. The building itself is so special with its vast space and industrial style, as is what it does for the local community, but sadly, due to rising costs on our side, safety concerns, and it being a bit out of the way for our revellers, we decided to Mince on to new pastures. Taking up residence in the iconic Lavery’s Belfast, where we couldn’t be happier. From class management, staff & security, they couldn’t be more helpful and have a genuine interest in the night’s growth. We are situated in Toms in Lavery’s, which is perfectly suited to Mince, with its low ceilings and dark dancefloor making us all want to get hot & sweaty and dance the night away.
What’s the story behind the name “Mince”? Is there a deeper meaning or just a bit of fun?
The name Mince comes from an old slur a few of us queer men used to get – “Mincing” which describes actions that a man (gay or straight) might make which give the impression of femininity or effeminence. Most likely derived from “mincing,” the act of cutting items into small pieces, the phrase came to be synonymous with taking small, dainty steps or speaking in an overly dainty or elegant manner. So we thought, let’s take back ownership of that “Let’s all go to Mince for a Mince!”. That and we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and thought it was a bit of craic.
Your lineups are known for being eclectic. How do you approach curating who plays Mince?
I think the eclectic approach comes from all of us Mince Collective family having varying tastes in music genres. When one of us is excited about an upcoming DJ or something an established DJ is doing we chat about it and all kinda get on board, which usually leads to who we book. We have been really lucky to have been joined by Venus Dupree, Michael Corr & Mount Palomar, which were banging nights. We have a few really exciting collaborations coming in the next while, and we are really excited to share that and show the direction Mince will be taking in the next 12 months. But that’s a secret for now. This month we have the crazy talented TAILTIU joining us on the 28th June.
Why is it important to build up local and resident DJs, not just rely on big names?
We wholeheartedly believe in giving local talent a space to show their art, whether that be DJs, drag queens, photographers, or graphic designers, they all get their moment to shine. Something as small as a tag on socials can cast a great light on creatives, and we think more people should do it. When it comes to DJs, we think giving local talent the chance to shine and get a few quid while doing it is not only important, but it creates excitement, keeps things moving, so things don’t go stagnant. We want to always be evolving, getting better and having more fun, and local talent will always be a big part of that. When it comes to big names, don’t get us wrong,g we would love to have the money to blow the budget and go mad sometime as a one-off off but for now, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Your next party falls during Pride Month. Do you have any standout Pride memories from past Mince parties over the years?
Yesss, we are lucky enough to have one of our parties fall within the official Pride month this year. This, of course, falls outside of Belfast Pride week (silly N.Iron parade’s commission), with that being the last week in July. Last year, we had the pleasure of taking over Room2 in the Belfast Telegraph building with our resident DJs THOM & CHANTY at the helm with a clatter of local drag kings & queens taking to the stage for some iconic performances. The room was banging, and the energy was absolutely electric. This year, we are at home in Laverys with our doors opening early and a night of back-to-back local DJ talent. We will be collaborating with ClippedHQ, bringing 7 DJs, drag queens and a whole load of class vibes. It’s shaping up to be one to remember.
Are there any standout moments from past Mince parties in general that really stuck with you?
There have been a few really class moments from past parties, but generally for us it always comes back to the energy in the room. Beautiful folk living their best, exchanging love, questionable dance moves and making memories. When everyone gets on that train, it’s unbelievably beautiful to be a part of. It makes us feel very fortunate & lucky to be a part of it.
What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting to run these events?
That it’s not easy!! We were under no illusion going into this that it was going to be a walk in the park with a few of us running other events, but “jaysus blesses” with changing venues, increasing costs, changing nightlife habits and not to forget the state of nightlife in general. We aren’t going to sugar coat it and make out that it’s been a “Mince” in the park, as it hasn’t. Though truthfully, we wouldn’t change the journey for the world. Do we think the council & government should be doing more to help the night economy…Yes, we absolutely do…with bells on! Sooner rather than later. For now, we will keep chugging on where we can & keep everyone dancing.
And finally, if someone wanted to start a queer club night in their own town, what advice would you give them?
GO FOR IT!!!! We need more. More spaces, more variety, more music, more dancing!! Get your solid plan together, don’t overthink it, follow your gut and create something special.
In an ever-changing/scary world, we can’t lose our dancefloors as it’s the best medicine for a busy brain, so get creative and hopefully we will see you on the dancefloor.
You can purchase tickets to MINCE’s next gig here.
