Our Values

“Safe space” only means something if it is backed up by action.

We want Oculist to be a place where women, LGBTQ+ people, trans people, non-binary people, queer people, and anyone who has ever had to scan a room before relaxing can feel considered from the start.

That means our team pays attention. It means we take concerns seriously. It means we would rather step in early than wait for something to escalate. It means we care more about protecting the atmosphere of the room than protecting someone’s ego.

Everyone is welcome here, but not every behaviour is.

Respect people’s bodies, identities, space and boundaries.

Do not touch anyone without consent. Do not follow, corner, pressure, stare at, film, photograph, grope, intimidate, insult, misgender, fetishise, or harass anyone.

Do not assume someone’s gender, sexuality, pronouns, availability, interest, or comfort level.

Do not make comments about someone’s body, race, gender, sexuality, disability, appearance, clothing, accent, religion, or background.

Do not bring hate into the room. Racism, misogyny, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, classism, or any other discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

Do not make someone explain why your behaviour made them uncomfortable. If someone asks you to stop, stop.

Harassment has no place at Oculist.

If someone makes you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, pressured, watched, followed, touched without consent, spoken to aggressively, or targeted in any way, please speak to a member of staff, security, bar staff, or management as soon as you can.

You do not need to prove anything before coming to us. You do not need to handle it alone. You do not need to wait until it gets worse.

Our team may respond by checking in, separating people, warning someone, removing someone from the venue, refusing service, banning someone, or contacting further support where necessary.

If you are told that your behaviour is making someone uncomfortable, listen and stop. Arguing, escalating, mocking, following, or retaliating will be treated seriously.

We would rather lose one person causing harm than lose the trust of the room.

Oculist’s bathrooms are gender neutral.

Use the bathroom that feels right for you. Our toilets are not operated as single-sex spaces, and we do not expect anyone to justify, explain or defend which bathroom they use.

Oculist supports trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Nobody in our venue should be challenged, questioned, mocked, filmed, followed, stared at, intimidated or policed because of the bathroom they use.

If you have a concern about someone’s behaviour in or around the bathrooms, bring it to staff. Do not confront them yourself. Our team will deal with it discreetly and seriously.

Bathrooms should be practical, private and safe. That applies to everyone.

Consent is not a grey area. It is not something you push for, negotiate, joke around, or try to win.

Consent must be clear, mutual, ongoing and freely given.

Good nightlife depends on people feeling free. That freedom only exists when boundaries are respected.

Oculist is a venue, but it is also a shared space. The atmosphere belongs to everyone in the room.

Check on your friends. Give people room to move. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something that does not feel right, tell staff. If someone looks uncomfortable, lost, unwell, isolated, or under pressure, check in if it is safe to do so, or let us know.

Care is not the opposite of a good night out. It is what makes a good night out possible.