Bint Bash gives Muslim women a space to let loose
The London-based promoters have carved out their own special niche, throwing events that combine DJs, dancing and intimate house party vibes
Tucked away on a side street buzzing with restaurants and bars, I almost missed the venue of the latest Bint Bash party. Then a volunteer beckoned me over. Inside, I climbed two flights of stairs and stepped into a loft-style space, where I was met by two hosts. They took my phone, zipped it inside a plastic wallet and handed me a token that would ensure I got it back at the end of the night.
Founded by three friends, Maryam Al-Mahtot and sisters Tooba and Bia Kazmi, Bint Bash hosts women-only, alcohol-free parties that give Muslim women a space to dance and explore new music.
I made my way inside to explore. In the first room, a bartender offered me popcorn and a raspberry-flavoured slushie. Next door, groups of women were playing table football, retro arcade games and ping-pong — the latter of which later turned into halal beer pong. In the third and final room, more than 30 women were sitting around on cushions, beanbags and chairs watching some fellow attendees belt out No Scrubs by TLC on the karaoke machine.
Before long, a delivery from Pizza Pilgrims next door arrived. I sank into a beanbag and my neighbours, two sisters from east London, offered me a slice. I soon learned they are devoted pop music fans, excitedly waiting for the DJ sets to kick off.
Al-Mahtot and the Kazmi sisters came up with the idea of Bint Bash after Bia, who is also a DJ, began organising house parties for her friends. “We were thinking about how the three of us love to party and dance, and we felt there was a need that wasn’t fulfilled for Muslim women,” says Al-Mahtot.
So far, they have hosted three events. The first, held in August 2025, was a dance party themed around Notting Hill Carnival. The second, a paint party in November, was inspired by the music and fashion of the early 2000s. While all the events have been in London so far, the group plans to expand across the UK.
“I think what people are looking for when they come to our events is a space to dance and let loose,” says Toobah.
The group’s third event, the one I attended, was a nod to the intimate vibe of a good house party. It was held at the Moot Club in Queensway, central London. The ticket price was £37 and included more than four hours of dancing, drinks, games, karaoke and food.
One attendee, Merna Dabis, told me it was her third Bint Bash party. “It’s liberating,” she said. “I’ll be out there, twerking, jumping around and anything will go. It’s a judgment-free zone.”
For Dabis, the parties provide a safe space that otherwise wouldn’t exist. “It fills a gap for us. I’m a Muslim hijabi woman, so I wouldn’t go into a mixed space and dance. Usually, the only time I get to dance like that is at a hen do or something. It’s a side of me not many people get to see, but it’s a side I really enjoy.”
Another attendee, Sarah Lalouche, had also come back for a third time. “In London, you struggle to find a place that is culturally relevant, safe for women and not centred around alcohol,” she said. She also enjoys the themes of each event. “It gives you something to dress up for and a chance to be outside the box than you’d usually be in.”
For Bint Bash’s organisers, a significant part of hosting the parties is finding the right venue. “We have to be quite specific because of the privacy element. So, not all halls or cafes are suitable,” says Toobah. The Moot Club, set inside a loft, already felt tucked away from curious passers-by, but to ensure extra discretion, all the windows were covered with sheets of card.
The events vary in size. The first was attended by 150 women. In line with the house party theme, the night I attended had approximately 70 guests.
One of Bint Bash’s proudest achievements is the welcoming atmosphere its founders have created. Over the course of the evening, I met women from a variety of cultural backgrounds and age groups. While playing a game of table football, one told me she’s a mother of two children. Most guests were in their late 20s to mid-30s, but Al-Mahtot notes that they’ve also welcomed guests in their 50s.
The women behind the parties are also delighted that their parties have become places where real friendships can be built.
“For some people in the Muslim community, there haven’t been many opportunities for them to meet other Muslim girls. For them to come to Bint Bash and make those friends has been really nice to see,” says Toobah.
While Bia performs at most events, Bint Bash also provides a platform for emerging DJs.
“It brings global sounds to a new audience that perhaps won’t be able to access this otherwise, because they don’t go to clubs, or DJ nights,” says Toobah. “It’s also a great opportunity for DJs who want to perform in alcohol-free environments.”
At Moot Club, the first to perform was Arooza Iqbal. Iqbal started DJing just six months ago after receiving lessons as a birthday present.
Speaking ahead of her set, she said that her style includes R&B, hip-hop, UK grime and house, along with some guilty pleasures, such as the Jonas Brothers. Having attended Bint Bash parties before, she was especially excited to perform for a receptive and fun audience.
“There isn’t a space like this anywhere,” she said. “The moves you see in there are amazing. People go crazy.”
Just six months on from its first event, Bint Bash has already created a loyal and enthusiastic community. With plans to host more parties in 2026, the founders say they would love to welcome more non-Muslim women to attend their events too.
As Al-Mahtot said: “It’s for women who don’t want to be surveyed, who want to be in a place without alcohol and men, people who have the desire to feel beautiful, to enjoy dance and music in a comfortable space.”
The next Bint Bash event, with a theme of Arab and desi music, will be held on 3 May at Rich Mix in east London.
