Dublin Drag Queen Davina Devine shares her memories of The George as it turns 40. Celebrating the venue that held LGBTQ+ Ireland through four decades of change.
"I started working in The George when I was 19, that's more than half my life," Davina Devine tells me over the phone.
The Dublin native has made a name for herself as one of Ireland's most famous Drag Queens, performing as a singer, model, DJ and brand ambassador, but is likely best known as the weekly host and headliner at The George.
"The George is so much more than a nightclub," she continues. "I was only saying the other day, it's a bit like Coronation Street, do you know that way? It's this static thing in our lives; we've had it for so long. It's almost like a small community, with players that come and go, and I sometimes feel like Rita or Ken Barlow!"
When we speak, the LGBTQ+ venue is gearing up to celebrate 40 years in business. No small feat for any late-night space in Dublin, but particularly one that was going against the grain from the day it was founded.
First established in 1985, The George opened its doors when same-sex sexual activity was still illegal in Ireland (it was eventually decriminalized in 1993).
A constant presence through some of the most important social changes in modern Irish history, the city centre venue quickly became a "home away from home" for the LGBTQ+ community.
"People have met the loves of their lives there," Davina muses. "People have got married there, they've got engaged there, they've made their friends there. It's been so pivotal in so many people's lives. It's been so much more than bricks and mortar."
Reflecting on her own time in the hallowed walls, Davina says she has been letting loose on the dancefloor from the second her ID checked out.
"I went there for my 18th birthday because, back then, The George was really hard to get into," she laughs. "It was a Monday night, and it looked like Dracula's lair with all these candelabras. At that time, it was run by Liam O'Dwyer, and he had this really gaudy taste."
Quickly becoming a regular, it was here that Davina took in her first ever Drag Show and was immediately drawn to the stage. She started working there soon after, and the rest, as they say, is history.
"I know The George inside out, I know every corner," she insists. "I don't know what it is to be a normal punter of The George. I feel like I'm literally part of the features and fitting."
As well as being a safe space for the queer community during Ireland's most historic moments, The George has cemented itself as a key part of Dublin's nightlife scene.
From Drag Queen Bingo to live performances from the likes of The Saturdays, The Venga Boys, and Samantha Mumba, the dancefloor is regularly heaving.
"People throw around the word iconic, but it actually is iconic," says Davina. "I know it sounds really corny, but it's the heart of it, that's why people come back in. There's a sense of familiarity."
Part of that familiarity is undoubtedly the performers who have made their name in the venue. Over the 40-years, Ireland's most famous Drag Queens have gathered together to dress, perform, and gag the crowd.
"There's a tiny little room in the top of that building, about six floors up, and the amount of blood, sweat and tears that have been in that room," she laughs. "Now I mean, literally: blood, sweat and tears."
"We've been through deaths together, we've been through celebrations together," she says. "I can't put into words how much that fundamentally changes you. That's family."
With so much history, the milestone celebration can be difficult to distil. How is it possible to pay tribute to the generations of performers, staff, campaigners, artists, activists, regulars and first timers who have passed through its doors?
For Davina, the answer is to deliver joy to those who need it.
"I live my life as part of The George, and I think every day in there is a celebration," she insists.
"Being able to come together with people and make them smile and give them entertainment - that's celebration. It's celebrating what's passed and what's to come. It's not just for one day."
