London gay pubs

Timeline of London Bars and Clubs

The gay 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 lgbtq+ clubs from 2000. Included in the following 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 House (Giltspur Street, Smithfield)[2]

Three Tobacco Rolls (Covent Garden).

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

1770s

Harlequin (Nag's Head Court, Covent Garden)

1800s

1810The White Swan, Vere Street (Vere Street)

1832Admiral Duncan (54 Former Compton Street, Soho)

The Hundred Guineas Club (Portland Place)

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

Gay London

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

It's no confidential that Soho is the main same-sex attracted 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 Queer institutions, including G-A-Y @ Heaven, there are other hotspots of queer customs spread throughout the city - we love Vauxhall and Dalston for a shamelessly camp late hours out. 

The nightclubs and bars in the gay East London hotspots of Dalston and Haggerston are decidedly edgier than those in pivotal Soho. It’s here that you’ll uncover iconic names such as Dalston Superstore. If you’re hunger 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 identify community, kinship, and drag-fuelled mayhem. Beats billiards in your local.

Once upon a time, having a gay old time in London meant hotfooting it straight to Soho. But now, the city's gender non-conforming centre of gravity has shifted east, with edgier spots pulling crowds to Dalston when bedtime falls, while some of the city's most storied LGBTQ+ venues have taken up residence in Vauxhall. So whether you're after a drag 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 legendary G-A-Y to lesbian-centric She Soho to sing-yer-heart-out special The Karaoke Hole.

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

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Gay Bars and Pubs in London

London has countless male lover bars. To maintain this page usable for travellers not all of these bars have been listed here (particularly those of interest mainly for locals).

Admiral Duncan

Monday-Thursday 13:00 – 23:30;Friday, Saturday 12:00 – 24:00;Sunday 12:00 – 22:30

Traditional London gay pub in Soho. With drag shows and karaoke.

admiral-duncan.co.uk

@ 54 Ancient Compton Street
London W1D 4UD

Subway: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road

+44 20 7437 5300

Arch Clapham

Tuesday-Thursday 16:00 – 24:00;Friday 16:00 – 01:00/02:00;Saturday 14:00 – 02:00;Sunday 14:00 – 22:00

LGBTQ cocktail exclude in the south of London.
Themed evenings with DJs, karaoke, kingly bingo and more.

archclapham.co.uk

@ Voltaire Road (Arch 642)
London SW4 6DH

Subway: Clapham North

City of Quebec

Monday, Tuesday 11:00 – 00:30;Wednesday 11:00 – 02:00;Thursday-Saturday 11:00 – 03:00;Sunday 12:00 – 01:00

One of the oldest gay bars in London (sinc