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.
Check out Kylie Condon's travel journal exploring the lesbian culture in London.
Lez Explore: London
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 a 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 premier 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, public houses, 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!
London Gay Scene
Come experience London the home to Europe’s largest population of gays and lesbians, and the city’s gay scene is as fickle and ever-changing as gays themselves. Beautiful gay-friendly hotels, restaurants and clubs are all LGBTQ welcoming.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gay-Friendly Dining
Check out some of these gay-friendly restaurants and eateries located all over London.
Balans
Balans is not only a great place for a gay-friendly meal with friends, but it is also one of the few places that stay open super late on weekends (like 6 am late) so you can get a solid meal to soak up all those pints!
Gay-Friendly Nightlife
Planning on heading over to Soho? Here are just a few of the many gay bars and clubs we think you will enjoy.
The Joiners Arms
If you happen to be in Shoreditch while in London, stop by The Joiners Arms for a crowd of partially pretty boys, partially alternative hipsters. The drinks are cheap for London standards, and they spun some great music ranging from pop to 90s hip-hop/R&B to 80s rock.
Rupert Street draws the professional and business, gay male. The staff is very friendly, the people are surprisingly friendly and the location is awesome. The affluent and beautiful pack Rupert Street every night. Have a great time, meet really nice professional guys, and grab a pint at Rupert Street.
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