3: Lyons Corner House - "The Lily Pond"

1900s to 1930s

At the corner of Rupert Street and Coventry Street, in what is now Bubba Gump Shrimp and the Trocadero

Lyons Corner House had a particular section which waiting staff reserved just for Queer clientele.

The section became known as the Lily Pond and was at the end of the room where there were tables at a slightly higher level. The staff were instrumental in managing the boundaries between the different clientele, and Queer patrons were expected to observe a certain behaviour to not draw attention to themselves.