Gay venues 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 Property (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 Lane, Soho)
The Hundred Guineas Club (Portland Place)
1866 The Coleherne, gay from the 1950s?, closed 24 September 2008 (261 Earls Court Road, Earls C
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,
Gay London
London is home to the most active Grindr users on the space body, meaning that if you're looking for a genuinely gay city, you can't do much better. The action in London extends beyond the dating 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 covert 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 house to many of London's most beloved LGBTQ+ institutions, including G-A-Y @ Heaven, there are other hotspots of queer culture spread throughout the city - 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 visit 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
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 hour, having a queer 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 famous G-A-Y to lesbian-centric She Soho to sing-yer-heart-out special The Karaoke Hole.
RECOMMENDED: Store the party going at London's best LGBTQ+ clubs.
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