Gay London - London is groovy man, and not just because of the mod ‘70s! London abides even after more than two millennia, maintaining its international importance as a commercial and cultural center. Gay London has also quietly developed a robust and visible LGBT community centered around the busy SoHo District. At one time the center of queer partying and clubbing, this London locality has bloomed into a gentler, more balanced alternative to the overindulgences of other hardcore gay party areas like the Vauxhall Gay Village. The historical perviness of Soho has also been toned down in recent times with the closing of the Soho Revue bar, making it the end of night terminus of Central London pets after a difficult day on the job.
You can’t get any more international than London. Over 300 languages are spoken locally, and more visitors pop through London than any other city in the world, visiting Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and all the royal in-betweens. There are more theaters than New York, and many of the world-class museums – such as the wonderful Tate Modern – are free.
Weather is of course gray and gloomy, with a touch of fog – but mostly for the dark winter months. Bask in more sun and not-so-cold temperatures from April to October, and enjoy the summer months where the average high is only 73º F. London is wet, but doesn’t receive much heavy rain, so waterproof outer layers should do the trick.
You can’t get any more international than London. Over 300 languages are spoken locally, and more visitors pop through London than any other city in the world, visiting Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and all the royal in-betweens. There are more theaters than New York, and many of the world-class museums – such as the wonderful Tate Modern – are free.
Weather is of course gray and gloomy, with a touch of fog – but mostly for the dark winter months. Bask in more sun and not-so-cold temperatures from April to October, and enjoy the summer months where the average high is only 73º F. London is wet, but doesn’t receive much heavy rain, so waterproof outer layers should do the trick.
In the last 20 years, London's gay community has bravely and proudly stepped out of back alleys and clandestine barrooms into the mainstream streets, making London one of the world's leading city to visit for gay and lesbian travellers.
When you visit London, we think you should visit the main strip, Old Compton St. In London, plays walkway to uninhibited cruising and periodic exorbitance that the greater majority of folks have come to anticipate from the region. And if the handily central Soho has replaced Earls Court as London's premiere gay mecca, then south-of-the-river Vauxhall pictures itself as giving gay Soho a run for its money. But gay Vauxhall is preponderantly nocturnal, with prominent sweaty dance clubs, publics house and leather and fetish lairs pumping life into an otherwise unwelcoming region of London. As in any sprawling city, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Late at night, it’s advised to stay in groups or take a cab. The English love to drink, and where there’s booze, there can be trouble!
1. Rupert Street Bar
Rupert Street Bar is a local gay favorite, situated right in the heart of the Soho district. Its convenient location in this incredible neighborhood is one of the many things that makes Rupert Street Bar a hit in the gay community here- and the characters you will see at the bar will prove it! Whether you come for the great drink deals or incredible flavor there is no better place to launch right in to the London gay scene.
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When you visit London, we think you should visit the main strip, Old Compton St. In London, plays walkway to uninhibited cruising and periodic exorbitance that the greater majority of folks have come to anticipate from the region. And if the handily central Soho has replaced Earls Court as London's premiere gay mecca, then south-of-the-river Vauxhall pictures itself as giving gay Soho a run for its money. But gay Vauxhall is preponderantly nocturnal, with prominent sweaty dance clubs, publics house and leather and fetish lairs pumping life into an otherwise unwelcoming region of London. As in any sprawling city, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Late at night, it’s advised to stay in groups or take a cab. The English love to drink, and where there’s booze, there can be trouble!
Top Gay Bars in London
1. Rupert Street Bar
Rupert Street Bar is a local gay favorite, situated right in the heart of the Soho district. Its convenient location in this incredible neighborhood is one of the many things that makes Rupert Street Bar a hit in the gay community here- and the characters you will see at the bar will prove it! Whether you come for the great drink deals or incredible flavor there is no better place to launch right in to the London gay scene.
2. The Joiners Arms
This intimate venue is legendary as a prime spot to hear the best of current music, from both locally and abroad. The Joiners has been around since 1968 and has witnessed extreme boasts of artistic pride throughout the decades since. The list of headliners who have played this venue will leave you thirsty for a once in a lifetime experience here of your very own!
This intimate venue is legendary as a prime spot to hear the best of current music, from both locally and abroad. The Joiners has been around since 1968 and has witnessed extreme boasts of artistic pride throughout the decades since. The list of headliners who have played this venue will leave you thirsty for a once in a lifetime experience here of your very own!
3. Miabella Night Club
Miabella is located right on London's Greek Street and draws in legendary crowds of characters. This extremely breathtaking venue offers visitors beautiful architecture, design, and celebrity flavor that will leave you begging for more! The wow-factor of Miabella will draw you in to its seductive atmosphere complete with stunning visual effects and invigorating people around every corner. Come get your sexy London fix.
4. Blush
Blush offers the London gay community a breath of fresh air, with a casual energy that gets to the heart of what London stands for as a timeless home away from home! Incredible drink deals and a mouth watering menu draw you in to Blush- but the entertaining quiz nights, specials, and clientele will keep you coming back! Blush is known as one of the best Lesbian bars around, but visitors of all backgrounds are welcome among these fabulous surroundings.
4. Blush
Blush offers the London gay community a breath of fresh air, with a casual energy that gets to the heart of what London stands for as a timeless home away from home! Incredible drink deals and a mouth watering menu draw you in to Blush- but the entertaining quiz nights, specials, and clientele will keep you coming back! Blush is known as one of the best Lesbian bars around, but visitors of all backgrounds are welcome among these fabulous surroundings.
5. Absolut Icebar
Yep that's right- this bar is literally made of ice and kept at 5 degrees Celsius all year round! Brought to you by the same people who do ice hotels in Sweden and London, Absolut Icebar offers visitors a once in a lifetime experience among some of the most memorable conditions you can imagine! A favorite feature is the various art instillations that pass through the venue, which is just icing on this incredible nightlife cake!
Yep that's right- this bar is literally made of ice and kept at 5 degrees Celsius all year round! Brought to you by the same people who do ice hotels in Sweden and London, Absolut Icebar offers visitors a once in a lifetime experience among some of the most memorable conditions you can imagine! A favorite feature is the various art instillations that pass through the venue, which is just icing on this incredible nightlife cake!
Gay Scene in London
Located in central London, Soho is the home of the majority of London’s gay bars and pubs. To get there, jump on the tube and head for Leicester Square, walk up Charing Cross Road and before you know it, you’ll be in the heart of Soho - the rainbow flags will welcome you in style.
Located in central London, Soho is the home of the majority of London’s gay bars and pubs. To get there, jump on the tube and head for Leicester Square, walk up Charing Cross Road and before you know it, you’ll be in the heart of Soho - the rainbow flags will welcome you in style.
Camden
Just 15 minutes north of Soho is Camden Lock. This part of London closely resembles New York's East Village - punk, grunge, and out-alternative. Every weekend in Camden you’ll find young, gay emo-esque scenesters shopping at vintage clothing stores and hanging out just to see and be seen.
Soho
Like many gayborhoods before it, Soho once was a village in decline, a hangout for disreputable sorts, music and misfits. In the 1950s, bohemians, beatniks, and other rejecters of mainstream culture moved in, eventually leading the way for gays and lesbians - most notably in the 1980s. Evidence of Soho’s gayness is everywhere on Old Compton Street, the main drag. Sex shops, gay and lesbian bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs line the narrow streets, which are often overcrowded. Don’t be surprised if you see public displays of affection here, often verging on indecency. Soho is the ideal village to hang your hat while visiting London because it’s convenient to other London attractions, including Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square.
Hampstead
Much like its name, Hampstead’s gay scene is subdued, a little stuffier than nearby Camden. Hampstead is home to one of London’s oldest gay bars - William IV. It’s also in Hampstead where gay men and lesbians come to swim in the men and women’s pond and trek the heath, London’s largest park and highest point.
Just 15 minutes north of Soho is Camden Lock. This part of London closely resembles New York's East Village - punk, grunge, and out-alternative. Every weekend in Camden you’ll find young, gay emo-esque scenesters shopping at vintage clothing stores and hanging out just to see and be seen.
Soho
Like many gayborhoods before it, Soho once was a village in decline, a hangout for disreputable sorts, music and misfits. In the 1950s, bohemians, beatniks, and other rejecters of mainstream culture moved in, eventually leading the way for gays and lesbians - most notably in the 1980s. Evidence of Soho’s gayness is everywhere on Old Compton Street, the main drag. Sex shops, gay and lesbian bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs line the narrow streets, which are often overcrowded. Don’t be surprised if you see public displays of affection here, often verging on indecency. Soho is the ideal village to hang your hat while visiting London because it’s convenient to other London attractions, including Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square.
Hampstead
Much like its name, Hampstead’s gay scene is subdued, a little stuffier than nearby Camden. Hampstead is home to one of London’s oldest gay bars - William IV. It’s also in Hampstead where gay men and lesbians come to swim in the men and women’s pond and trek the heath, London’s largest park and highest point.
Brixton
Located in south London, Brixton is just a short cab ride from Vauxhall. A well-known neighborhood for gays, Brixton lost some of its homo attraction when Vauxhall exploded on the scene. Now it’s slowly regaining its footing with polished-off clubs Fridge and Nsomnia.
Clapham
Some Londoners claim that two of the city’s best gay bars are in Clapham, which is located south of the river. Two Brewers is unassuming on the outside, but inside it plays host to some of London’s best drag cabaret. The Kazbar is more of a funky disco bar for clubbers, but more laid-back than the Vauxhall thumper clubs.
Islington
Small in size, this Northeast London village is jam-packed with gay clubs and bars, rivaling Soho in sheer numbers. Most businesses are centered along Upper Street and Essex Road. You will find more gay men than lesbians in Islington, but more and more attractions for chicks are popping up, including Y Bar on Thursday nights. The arts scene is thriving here. Check out the Chickens Theatre at Highbury Corner, a pub-slash-venue for live music, comedy and live theater. Islington is also home to London’s very first farmers market, which is bustling every Sunday.
Stoke Newington
Commonly referred to as Stokey, Stoke Newington is situated in Northeast London adjacent to Islington. Stokey is more of a destination than a place to stay during your trip to London given it is slightly off the beaten track. Once you’re here, though, there is plenty to keep you occupied. It is more of a hangout for lesbians who converge on Stokey’s Church Street for shopping, vegetarian dining, and holistic therapy sessions. Women bars in Stokey are numerous and range from alternative hangouts like WANC Café (Women’s Anarchist Nuisance Café ) to karaoke/drag show clubs like Tonic. The mainstay for lesbians in Stokey is Blush, however. The local art scene is highlighted each June during StokeFest, and live music of all genres is alive and well here.
Vauxhall
Known as the gay village, Vauxhall is the spot for after-hours clubbing and cabaret. It’s frequented by gay men looking to cruise and party all night, akin to the warehouse district of New York. There wasn’t much to Vauxhall before Crash hit the scene. It grew a loyal following and competition followed. Vauxhall is filled with after-hours and after-after-hours clubs open round-the-clock well into late Tuesday morning - meaning it’s possible to start the party on a Friday night and literally party until Tuesday.
Located in south London, Brixton is just a short cab ride from Vauxhall. A well-known neighborhood for gays, Brixton lost some of its homo attraction when Vauxhall exploded on the scene. Now it’s slowly regaining its footing with polished-off clubs Fridge and Nsomnia.
Clapham
Some Londoners claim that two of the city’s best gay bars are in Clapham, which is located south of the river. Two Brewers is unassuming on the outside, but inside it plays host to some of London’s best drag cabaret. The Kazbar is more of a funky disco bar for clubbers, but more laid-back than the Vauxhall thumper clubs.
Islington
Small in size, this Northeast London village is jam-packed with gay clubs and bars, rivaling Soho in sheer numbers. Most businesses are centered along Upper Street and Essex Road. You will find more gay men than lesbians in Islington, but more and more attractions for chicks are popping up, including Y Bar on Thursday nights. The arts scene is thriving here. Check out the Chickens Theatre at Highbury Corner, a pub-slash-venue for live music, comedy and live theater. Islington is also home to London’s very first farmers market, which is bustling every Sunday.
Stoke Newington
Commonly referred to as Stokey, Stoke Newington is situated in Northeast London adjacent to Islington. Stokey is more of a destination than a place to stay during your trip to London given it is slightly off the beaten track. Once you’re here, though, there is plenty to keep you occupied. It is more of a hangout for lesbians who converge on Stokey’s Church Street for shopping, vegetarian dining, and holistic therapy sessions. Women bars in Stokey are numerous and range from alternative hangouts like WANC Café (Women’s Anarchist Nuisance Café ) to karaoke/drag show clubs like Tonic. The mainstay for lesbians in Stokey is Blush, however. The local art scene is highlighted each June during StokeFest, and live music of all genres is alive and well here.
Vauxhall
Known as the gay village, Vauxhall is the spot for after-hours clubbing and cabaret. It’s frequented by gay men looking to cruise and party all night, akin to the warehouse district of New York. There wasn’t much to Vauxhall before Crash hit the scene. It grew a loyal following and competition followed. Vauxhall is filled with after-hours and after-after-hours clubs open round-the-clock well into late Tuesday morning - meaning it’s possible to start the party on a Friday night and literally party until Tuesday.
Gay-Friendly Hotels in London
London is home to a variety of gay-friendly hotels, boutiques, and other affordable accommodations that provide great service and comfort.
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