MUNCH Vol 1: Kicking Off Our Sapphic Revolution in Ōtautahi
200 beautiful queer people packed into a cozy bar in Ōtautahi. Late May, and an electric, sing along & shake ass energy. MUNCH was just a pipedream at the start of 2025, when my partner Emma and I were in the park with our dog (Sasha, Black Lab) dreaming of a sapphic event in Christchurch.
On the 24th of May, it became a reality with our first event - MUNCH Club Night 1.
When Emma and I moved to Christchurch from Tāmaki Makaurau in 2023, we struggled to find queer spaces that felt like ours. Making friends as an adult is hard - especially when LGBTQIA+ nightlife in Ōtautahi is so rare. After seeing the success of our friends at Sapphic Sounds and Gingers Lesbian Pop-Ups, we knew we needed more of that energy here.
The Vibe: Sapphic Nightlife Comes Alive in Ōtautahi
MUNCH isn’t just a party - it’s where sapphic nightlife meets real community. Club Night 1 sold out in just 7 days, proving how hungry Christchurch’’s queer community is for spaces like this.
The night itself was everything we dreamed. A melting pot of sparkly energy, open hearts and full-belly laughs as the community came together.
Our performers were the heart of the night, representing the big town queer talent that lives in the Ōtautahi arts scene.
Tony Chestnut: Drag Daddy MC
Tony had the entire crowd going from the second he stepped on stage in his fabulous middle-aged divorcé gettup until the last note of The Tambourine Song (their drag number) was played.
Tucker Inn: Tuckering us out before tucking us in
Tuck rose to the occasion in full force - performing an iconic horse jockey inspired number to a mash up of Ride Wit Me and (ofc) Pony. Complete with riding crop and hobby horse. Enough said.
Carina Nebula: She kissed a girl & she liked it
Carina brought the glitz and glamour with a stunning number to I Kissed A Girl x If You Seek Amy - full-blown makeout sesh and all. The gays and theys were not prepared!
The music? Legendary. DJs Your Girl Richard and Maraschino Mommy kept the crowd screaming lyrics and dancing to queer pop and R&B bangers all night. Exactly the sapphic party soundtrack Christchurch has been waiting for.
I don’t think I could sum up the impact this event had on us even if I tried. It was one of those nights that lowkey changed us on a cellular level. The queer joy in that bar felt like coming home - and that’s exactly what queer spaces in Aotearoa should feel like.
When we asked our community to share their experience with us, this is what they said:
To everyone who came to Club Night 1, we can’t thank you enough. History was made in that bar and we have so many plans lined up that we can’t wait to share with you.
To everyone who came to Club Night 1, we can’t thank you enough. You made history with us, and this is only the beginning of our queer events in Christchurch. Join MUNCH Mail to stay up to date, and we’ll see you at the next one ❤️🔥
Love,
Caitlin & Emma xx