2016
XXL renews it’s sponsorship deals with the Kings Cross Steelers and the London Titans. Paul Morrell joins the XXL Dj team on the main floor joining Alex Logan. Dj Pagano joins the XXL team as a new monthly resident Dj and bringing his iconic tribal beats to the main floor. Guest appearances from the Hoxton Whores and Moto Blanco. XXL teams up with DEIS3L Madrid and Bear Necessities Amsterdam with Dj exchanges and cross promotion to unite European Bears. XXL donates £2500 to the Albert Kennedy trust.
2015
XXL teams up with the Ben Cohen foundation to raise awareness and funds for his charity to help combat bullying – and donate a total of £10,000 for the charity. XXL teams up with the London Titans soccer team and the Kings Cross Steelers Rugby team to be sponsors for the clubs. XXL raises £4500 for GMFA. Hoxton Whores and Moto Blanco.
2014
XXL donates £4,500 for world Aids Day – XXL raises money and awareness for the Peter Thatchell foundation and donate £4,000 from our London Pride party – XXL donates £4,500 for world Aids Day
2013
XXL does a soft launch of its social networking app – www.appxxl.com – XXL donates £4,000 for World Aids Day to Mild May and £3,000 to the Albert Kennedy Trust.
2012
XXL moves to its new home PULSE adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge on the Southbank. After committing to the purchase of the new premises in 2010 and the XXL team designing and building the new premises all with a view to take the ever expanding and popular event to a Bigger Better and Bolder home. With the announcement that Arcadia was unfit due to structural problems in the arches with the overhead rail line we were given two weeks notice to vacate and integrate everything with Pulse. Manic time – yes – but XXL just jumped into one of the biggest and most technically advanced clubs in London – on a footing to compete with venues like Ministry of Sound and Fabric. XXL performs the opening event at Provincetown Bear week.
2011
XXL Birmingham moves to The Core – and exciting new venue in the heart of the gay village in Birmingham. XXL continues to grow with packed to the rafters Saturday nights and key dates having queues round the block for entry. £2000 is donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust.
2010
The XXL Team finalise the deal for Pulse and start on site late November to build what will be one of London’s iconic gay venues. £2,000 is donated to Mild May
2009
XXL continues to grow – with the venue packed to capacity each week Mark decides to look for a larger venue. Dave Aude plays for XXL Fusion for XXL Bear Pride. XXL donates £2,000 to the Albert Kennedy Trust.
2008
XXL Announced Dates for Bear Pride 2008. XXL throws another amazing Fusion Party with the Freemasons headlining. It was a road-block event! XXL Birmingham wins ‘Best One Nighter’ for the 4th year in a row. XXL secures international DJ StoneBridge to DJ at Fusion on 25th May, Heloise & the Savoir Faire to headline at XXL NYC Pride Ball on 29th June
2007
XXL Announced Dates for Bear Pride 2007. XXL joins forces with Major US clubs to support Bear Pride. XXL Birmingham goes twice monthly. XXL London adds new arch and arched garden area to already massive London venue. XXL Hosts the 5th Bear Pride Weekend. It was an international success! XXL launches a monthly fetish and leather night called XXL XtremeXXL Launches FUSION with the first London gay gig by the FREEMASONS. XXL Launches Dedicated US Website www.xxl-nyc.com FUSION’s second appearance was headlined by the Soul Avengerz & Paul Emanuel XXL Celebrates 7 sensational years with the XXL7 – ‘Licensed To Thrill’ Party
2006
XXL expands ‘Bear Pride’ once again, to include the leather community. ‘Bear & Leather Pride’ is born. XXL Brighton gets a new home. XXL is the title sponsor of the 2006 Bingham Cup. XXL invades America, and launches it’s first US club night in the New York City. XXL participates in the 2006 Manchester ManFest XXL London Celebrates 6 Sexy Years with a party that was the biggest in it’s 6 year history. The Arches (Home of XXL London) gets a 300k lighting redesign. Taking the London Club to a whole new level.XXL London hosts most successful New Years Eve Party in our 6 Year history.
2005
XXL hosts parties in Barcelona & Stiges. FunkyHunks after-hours parties are launched.
2004
XXL expands the scope of “BEAR NECESSITIES” into a bigger event and renames it ‘Bear Pride’
2002
XXL purchased it’s first London home – The Arches at London Bridge. XXL establish a monthly night in Birmingham – XXL launches “Bear Necessities” London’s first Bear Pride event in association with Bear Hug.
2001
XXL establish a monthly night in Brighton.
2000
Mark Ames got a bit bored with the gay club scene in London – having recently been out on the Amsterdam clubbing scene and hearing people be derogatory about the London scene he decided to jump in headfirst into the club scene and open XXL – London’s first and foremost Bears night.