Gay scene in london
Timeline of London Bars and Clubs
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 House (Giltspur Street, Smithfield)[2]
Three Tobacco Rolls (Covent Garden).
1724Mother Clap's Molly Home, closed 1726 (Holborn).
1770s
Harlequin (Nag's Head Court, Covent Garden)
1800s
1810The White Swan, Vere Street (Vere Street)
1832Admiral Duncan (54 Antique Compton Street, Soho)
The Hundred Guineas Club (Portland Place)
1866 The Coleherne, gay from the 1950s?, closed 24 September 2008 (261 Earls Court Thoroughfare, Earls C
Heaven’s attractions may acquire been its song and lights, but its prime purpose was for cruising and Norman was determined to hinder straight punters from taking over, enforcing a rigorous male lover men-only door policy. His concerns were justified by the excitement Heaven’s launch created. The London Evening Standard, proofreading Heaven’s opening evening, deliberated: “Heaven’s biggest headache could be in deterring London’s non-gay discophiles who could end up trying to move beyond for gay to get past the elegant bouncers at the disco’s matched of the Pearly Gates.”
Heaven’s arrival coincided with new guide in disco. The beats got faster, mixing became necessary and electronics replaced live instruments. Queer disco, Boystown or hi-energy (named after Evelyn Thomas’s strike of the similar name), became the soundtrack to the clone scene that took over Heaven and gay Earls Court. Adams in Leicester Square became Subway in 1981, claiming to suggest London’s first American-style cruise club. Musically, it offered a progressive mix provided by John Richards (the Hot Trax remix of Yoko Ono’s “Walking on Thin Ice” existence a favourite). With its strict over-21s, men-only policy, it also had a backroom
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 group, kinship, and drag-fuelled mayhem. Beats billiards in your local.
Once upon a moment, having a same-sex attracted 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 performative 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: Maintain the party going at London's best LGBTQ+ clubs.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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London Gay Travel Guide 2025
Upcoming Events in London
About London and its gay life
With a population of 8 million, London is the second largest metropolis in Europe. London extends over 44 kilometers along the Thames river and has a moderate climate with its summers not too hot and the winters not too cold.
Throughout its history London has always been a center of attraction for different cultures and religions whether it be Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs or Buddhists. At the beginning of the 20th century, mainly Irish, Poles, Italians and Eastern European Jews came to London, while starting around 1950 the majority of immigrants comes from former British colonies such as India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Today, the cultural, ethnic, religious and economic background of London's population is one of the most diverse worldwide.
London has a flourishing artistic, theater and music scene. Just think of the West End with its numerous musical theaters or the many world-famous London-based bands and musicians, such as the Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen with Freddie Mercury, The Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Culture Club with Boy George, the Pet Shop Boys,