London Gay Bars

Dalston Superstore is one of the East End’s best all-day gay venues – pop in here for a bite to eat, a boozy drag brunch, or a queer art exhibition during the day, or come later for late-night drinks and dancing. It’s become a very popular spot for East End hipsters of all types, but the vibe remains decidedly queer and experimental.

This cool café/bar/restaurant in Peckham Rye serves up an excellent rotation of craft beers and pop-up kitchens. It isn’t especially gay, but it has a welcoming and inclusive vibe that makes it an ideal stop when in Peckham.

The Duke of Wellington is a gay London institution, having served as a relaxed, old-fashioned alternative to the glitz and glam of Soho’s trendy bars for over 20 years. During the day, this is the place for fairly-priced pints, friendly conversation, and watching some sport on the TV. At night, things get more lively with weekend DJ’s and weeknight Drag Bingo and pub quizzes.

This little sister to KU Bar is a little more relaxed and intimate than its more famous counterpart, but don’t worry – the KU guys here are just as hot. It’s a good spot for a casual drink and a chat, although there is a small dance floor that gets busy on weekends.

Trendy bar with fun, quirky decor. Gay-friendly but with a diverse mixed crowd, sipping tasty cocktails during the day and dancing to resident DJ’s every night of the week. They also host regular drag nights – check their website or Facebook page to see what’s on.

This is a great all-day spot in the King’s Cross area, with something going on most nights, from drag acts to karaoke and even jazz nights. Friendly and completely unpretentious, with a mixed crowd and free pool tables throughout the day.

VILLAGE is one of Soho’s most iconic gay bars, and a must-visit for the sexy staff alone. Choose whatever vibe you like – pop tunes and go-go boys on the main floor, techno and house in the basement, or a quieter cocktail lounge for chatting upstairs. It gets very busy on weekends, so get ready to squeeze in.

This cool mixed-arts venue hosts all types of events, from gigs to art exhibitions, club nights, and drag shows. It’s not specifically gay, but many of its events are queer-oriented. A great choice for exploring the edgier, more experimental queer scene of London’s East End.

A cool and quirky basement bar – yes, those are old barbies hanging from the ceiling – with a mixed crowd of gays, lesbians, and friends. As the name indicates, the vibe is friendly and laid-back, with pop tunes playing all night.

One of the newer additions to the London gay scene, The Cock Tavern has classic upscale pub vibes with a twist, with a carefully curated “Georgian Tiki” decor. Staff are friendly, and the crowds tend to be 30+. Good for chat and drinks during the day, becoming a rowdier, anything-goes sort of place when the DJs start playing. Feeling hungry? Yard Sale Pizza will deliver directly to your table.

Located in Charing Cross, a short walk from Soho, Halfway To Heaven is one of the best places in London to catch a cabaret or drag show. The bar upstairs is cheap, cozy, and friendly, and the daily shows never disappoint – look out for special events like karaoke and Drag Race viewing parties.

Although the trendy decor and cute shirtless barmen may tempt you to stay inside, The Yard Bar’s real highlight is, well, its yard. Perfect for both warm summer evenings and chilly winter ones (hooray for heaters), this is a great place to drink, chat, and – for some – smoke the night away.

One of Soho’s original gay bars and once a secretive gay-popular hotel in the 50s, “The Grande Dame Of Old Compton Street” has been welcoming crowds of gay men for longer than most. Expect a more mature crowd sipping pints rather than the usual trendy Soho crowd.

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is an absolute must-visit for any gay visitor to London – this grandiose club and performance venue is beautiful on the outside and a whole lot of fun on the inside. Try to catch one of their cabaret shows if you can, or simply rock up for an epic club night with a diverse, friendly, and open-minded crowd. Other events include DILF nights, sing-alongs, and disco parties.

The Old Ship is a proper East End boozer with regular cabaret and drag shows, DJ’s, quizzes, and other entertainment. Cheap and friendly, with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere – that said, the occasional old-fashioned blunt service is part of the experience. Indoors there’s a large heated lounge area and outdoors is a sun terrace.