Muriel Belcher

Why this artist matters now

Muriel Belcher (1908–1979) was an English nightclub owner and artist's model who founded and managed the private drinking club The Colony Room. She was described by the journalist Jeffrey Bernard as "Originally from Birmingham, a Jewish lesbian" The club opened in 1948 at 41 Dean Street, Soho, London and became known as "Muriel's". Its long term popularity amongst London's bohemians lasted for 60 years and is widely credited to the exclusivity resulting from Belcher's charisma, strong personality and daunting door policy as "a tough, sharp-tongued veteran of the Soho drinking club scene".

Source: Artsy · Trust score: 85% · Updated 1mo ago