Drink.
London’s gay scene is one of the most exciting and diverse in Europe – whether you’re into old-fashioned pubs, swanky cocktail lounges, gritty basement bars, or arty cafés, London has a gay bar for you.
Although a night (or a few) in Soho is an absolute must-do for any gay visitor, you’ll need to venture beyond the West End to get a real feel for the variety on offer. Vauxhall has some of the best late-night venues, while the East End areas of Dalston, Hoxton, and Shoreditch offer the latest in edgy, anything-goes queer nightlife.
Bars start getting busy at around 8 PM – a little earlier during the week, as most bars and pubs will close at 11 or midnight on week days. People usually head out to clubs at about 1 or 2 AM.
The ultimate place for gay London bar-hopping is Soho, with dozens of amazing bars and clubs within a 15-minute radius of Leicester Square. That said, there is also some good bar-hopping to be found in areas like Dalston and Vauxhall.
Londoners, like most British people, love a pint of beer. Most bars will sell a combination of international lagers and local craft beers – look out for drinks by Camden Town Brewery, Beavertown, and The Five Points Brewery.
Of course, London also has one of the world’s most exciting cocktail scenes, with innovative creations popping up every day – when in doubt, ask the bartender what’s popular.
Filter your night
Dalston Superstore is one of the East End’s best all-day gay venues – pop in here for a bite to eat, a boozy drag brunch, or a queer art exhibition during the day, or come later for late-night drinks and dancing. It’s become a very popular spot for East End hipsters of all types, but the vibe remains decidedly queer and experimental.
Facilities: Drag Show, Bar, Free WiFi
weekday: Mon 17:00–00:00, Tue 16:00-00:00, Wed 16:00–02:00, Thu 16:00–02:30, Fri 16:00–02:30
weekend: Sat 12:00 – 04:00 Sun 12:00–01:00
This cool café/bar/restaurant in Peckham Rye serves up an excellent rotation of craft beers and pop-up kitchens. It isn’t especially gay, but it has a welcoming and inclusive vibe that makes it an ideal stop when in Peckham.
Facilities: Drag Show, Restaurant, Bar, Music
Weekday: Mon-Wed 16:00-23:00, Thu 16:00-00:00, Fri 16:00-01:00
Weekend: Sat 14:00-01:00
The Duke of Wellington is a gay London institution, having served as a relaxed, old-fashioned alternative to the glitz and glam of Soho’s trendy bars for over 20 years. During the day, this is the place for fairly-priced pints, friendly conversation, and watching some sport on the TV. At night, things get more lively with weekend DJ’s and weeknight Drag Bingo and pub quizzes.
Facilities: Drag Show, Bar, Music
Weekday: 12:00 – 00:00
Weekend: Sat 12:00 – 00:00 Sun 12:00 – 23:30
This little sister to KU Bar is a little more relaxed and intimate than its more famous counterpart, but don’t worry – the KU guys here are just as hot. It’s a good spot for a casual drink and a chat, although there is a small dance floor that gets busy on weekends.
Facilities: Drag Show, Bar, Music
Weekdays: Tue-Fri 14:00–01:00
Weekend: Sat 14:00 -01:00 Sun 14:00–22:30
Trendy bar with fun, quirky decor. Gay-friendly but with a diverse mixed crowd, sipping tasty cocktails during the day and dancing to resident DJ’s every night of the week. They also host regular drag nights – check their website or Facebook page to see what’s on.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar, Music
Weekday: Mom-Thu 16:00 – 01:00, Fri 16:00–03:00
Weekend: Sat 12:00 – 03:00; Sun 12:00 – 00:30
This is a great all-day spot in the King’s Cross area, with something going on most nights, from drag acts to karaoke and even jazz nights. Friendly and completely unpretentious, with a mixed crowd and free pool tables throughout the day.
Facilities: Karaoke, Restaurant, Bar, Live music, Music, Free WiFi
Weekdays: Mon-Thu 12:00 – 00:00, Fri 17:00–01:00
Weekends: Sat 17:00 – 01:00, Sun 17:00–00:00
VILLAGE is one of Soho’s most iconic gay bars, and a must-visit for the sexy staff alone. Choose whatever vibe you like – pop tunes and go-go boys on the main floor, techno and house in the basement, or a quieter cocktail lounge for chatting upstairs. It gets very busy on weekends, so get ready to squeeze in.
Facilities: Drag Show, Go-go show, Dancing, Karaoke, Bar, Live music, Music
Weekdays: Mon, Tue 16:00 – 02:00, Wed-Fri 16:00–03:00
Weekends: Sat 13:00–15:00, Sun 16:00–23:30
This cool mixed-arts venue hosts all types of events, from gigs to art exhibitions, club nights, and drag shows. It’s not specifically gay, but many of its events are queer-oriented. A great choice for exploring the edgier, more experimental queer scene of London’s East End.
Facilities: Dancing, Restaurant, Bar, Live music, Music
Weekday: Tue-Thu 17:00–00:00, Fri 17:00–03:30
Weekend: Sat 12:00 – 03:30
A cool and quirky basement bar – yes, those are old barbies hanging from the ceiling – with a mixed crowd of gays, lesbians, and friends. As the name indicates, the vibe is friendly and laid-back, with pop tunes playing all night.
Facilities: Bar, Music
Weekday: Mon-Thu, 16:00 – 23:30 Fri, 16:00–00:00
Weekend: Sat 16:00 – 00:00 Sun 16:00–22:30
One of the newer additions to the London gay scene, The Cock Tavern has classic upscale pub vibes with a twist, with a carefully curated “Georgian Tiki” decor. Staff are friendly, and the crowds tend to be 30+. Good for chat and drinks during the day, becoming a rowdier, anything-goes sort of place when the DJs start playing. Feeling hungry? Yard Sale Pizza will deliver directly to your table.
Facilities: Dancing, Restaurant, Bar, Live music, Music
Weekdays: Thu 17:00 – 00:00, Fri 17:00–02:00
Weekends: Sat: 17:00 – 02:00, Sun 17:00 – 00:00
Located in Charing Cross, a short walk from Soho, Halfway To Heaven is one of the best places in London to catch a cabaret or drag show. The bar upstairs is cheap, cozy, and friendly, and the daily shows never disappoint – look out for special events like karaoke and Drag Race viewing parties.
Facilities: Drag Show, Karaoke, Bar, Cabaret show, Music
Weekdays: Mon-Thu, 12:00–23:00, Fri 12:00–01:00
Weekends: Sat 12:00–01:00, Sun 12:00–20:00
Although the trendy decor and cute shirtless barmen may tempt you to stay inside, The Yard Bar’s real highlight is, well, its yard. Perfect for both warm summer evenings and chilly winter ones (hooray for heaters), this is a great place to drink, chat, and – for some – smoke the night away.
Facilities: Dancing, Bar, Music
Weekdays: Mon-Thu 15:00–23:30, Fri 14:00–00:00
Weekends: Sat 13:00–00:00, Sun 14:00–22:30
One of Soho’s original gay bars and once a secretive gay-popular hotel in the 50s, “The Grande Dame Of Old Compton Street” has been welcoming crowds of gay men for longer than most. Expect a more mature crowd sipping pints rather than the usual trendy Soho crowd.
Facilities: Dancing, Bar, Live music, Music
Weekday: Mon-Thu 12:00 – 23:30, Fri 12:00–00:00
Weekend: Saturday 11:00–00:00, Sun 12:00–22:30
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is an absolute must-visit for any gay visitor to London – this grandiose club and performance venue is beautiful on the outside and a whole lot of fun on the inside. Try to catch one of their cabaret shows if you can, or simply rock up for an epic club night with a diverse, friendly, and open-minded crowd. Other events include DILF nights, sing-alongs, and disco parties.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar, Cabaret show, Music
Weekday: Mon-Thu 19:00 – 00:00, Fri 21:00 – 04:00
Weekend: Sat 21:00 – 04:00, Sun 16:00 – 22:30
The Old Ship is a proper East End boozer with regular cabaret and drag shows, DJ’s, quizzes, and other entertainment. Cheap and friendly, with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere – that said, the occasional old-fashioned blunt service is part of the experience. Indoors there’s a large heated lounge area and outdoors is a sun terrace.
Facilities: Drag Show, Bar, Cabaret show, Music
weekdays: Mon 12:00 – 22:00, Tue, Thu 12:00–23:00, Wed.Fri 12:00–00:00
weekends: 12:00 – 00:00
Destinations
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