Cool gay bars london

Timeline of London Bars and Clubs

The queer scene in London has always been centred around the West End, especially Soho. In the 1980s some clubs opened up in Earls Court, where the rent was cheaper. In the 1990s, the scene reverted back to Soho, revitalised by new style bars like The Village. Vauxhallbecame the locus of gay clubs from 2000. Included in the tracking timeline are bars and clubs in Earl’s Court and Vauxhall, though they are not strictly in the West End.

1720s

The Golden Ball (Bond's Stables, off Chancery Lane).

Jenny Greensleeves' Molly House (Durham Yard, off the Strand).^[1]

Julius Caesar Taylor's Molly House (Tottenham Court Road).^[2]

Plump Nelly's Molly House (St James's Square, St James's).^[2]

Royal Oak Molly Dwelling (Giltspur Street, Smithfield)^[2]

Three Tobacco Rolls (Covent Garden).

1724Mother Clap's Molly House, closed 1726 (Holborn).

1770s

Harlequin (Nag's Head Court, Covent Garden)

1800s

1810The White Swan, Vere Street (Vere Street)

1832Admiral Duncan (54 Old Compton Avenue, Soho)

The Hundred Guineas Club (Portland Place)

1866 The Coleherne, gay from the 1950s?, closed 24 September 2008 (261 Earls Court Road, Earls C

Gay London

London is home to the most active Grindr users on the planet, meaning that if you're looking for a genuinely gay city, you can't accomplish much better. The action in London extends beyond the dating website apps, with the city boasting world-class gay clubs, a treasure trove of cultural sights, and a historical theatre scene in the West End.

It's no private that Soho is the main gay district in London, and this sizeable and central area of the capital is littered with fantastic gay clubs, bars, and gay-friendly hotels. While Soho is home to many of London's most beloved LGBTQ+ institutions, including G-A-Y @ Heaven, there are other hotspots of gender non-conforming culture spread throughout the metropolis - we love Vauxhall and Dalston for a shamelessly camp night out.

The nightclubs and bars in the gay East London hotspots of Dalston and Haggerston are decidedly edgier than those in central Soho. It’s here that you’ll find iconic names such as Dalston Superstore. If you’re craving a less high-octane evening, be sure to attend the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which wears the crown as London’s oldest gay bar.

The scene in London is not just about partying; it's about community and c

LGBTQI+ bar terraces, beer gardens and other outside spaces in London

QX has set together a list of the best London Queer gay bars with outside spaces, terraces and bear gardens. With the days ahead looking to be right scorchers they are perfect for sipping cocktails or pints of frosty bear. London comes into its own in summer and there’s space for everyone!

Ku Bar, Leicester Square

The Yard, Soho

A two storey former stables. You’d never comprehend that you were in the heart of Soho.

57 Rupert St, London W1D 7PL, United Kingdom.

Soho Square

An oldie but a goodie! At the height of summer, Soho Square harkens back to the fine old days of Soho, London’s former queer hub. Drag queens stumble across sprinklers, queens called Carlos wave and pout, cans of Tesco pr

Sink a cocktail in one of London's finest LGBTQ+ bars and pubs and you'll be drinking in more than just some watered down booze: these spots are LGBTQ+ landmarks in their own right, places where you can find people, kinship, and drag-fuelled mayhem. Beats billiards in your local.

Once upon a occasion, having a lgbtq+ old time in London meant hotfooting it straight to Soho. But now, the city's queer centre of gravity has shifted east, with edgier spots pulling crowds to Dalston when night falls, while some of the city's most storied LGBTQ+ venues have taken up residence in Vauxhall. So whether you're after a flamboyant brunch, a burlesque show or just a quiet pint, here's a comprehensive list of the capital's gay and queer-friendly bars and pubs, from the epic G-A-Y to lesbian-centric She Soho to sing-yer-heart-out special The Karaoke Hole.

RECOMMENDED: Retain the party going at London's best LGBTQ+ clubs.

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