LGBT London
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London has a thriving LGBT community. The United Kingdom, with London as its capital, frequently features among the top 20 in Europe's Rainbow Index[dead link]. There is no one "gay village" or LGBT district in the city. Instead, several areas are good destinations for gay and lesbian travel.
Understand
London hosts a major Pride in London event in June or July each year. The event is more than 50 years old. It is one of several pride events in the city - including London Trans+ Pride and UK Black Pride.
EuroPride, a pan-European pride event, began in London in 1992.
There is no one LGBT neighbourhood. Bloomsbury has a rich LGBT history and is home to the UK's oldest LGBT bookshop Gay's the Word, which features in the biopic Pride (2014). Dalston and Soho have thriving pubs and bars, while Vauxhall has a busy night-time scene. Some venues may have age restrictions, often 18+.
Gaydio, a national LGBT radio station, broadcasts in London and is available on DAB digital radio and online. The monthly flyer GayLondonLife offers some knowledge on what is going on.
History
London has been a major LGBT city for many years. The government decriminalised "homosexual acts" between men in England and Wales since 1967. The city launches an official but not legally recognised "partnership register" back in 2001, a prerequisite to legally recognised same-sex partnerships in 2005. Trans people have been able to legally change their gender since 2005. Same-sex couples have been able to marry in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014.
LGBT discrimination in employment was made illegal in 2003. Discrimination in the provision of goods and services on grounds of sexual ordination was made illegal in 2007, while gender identity was included in the all-encompassing Equality Act 2010.
There are two reasons for the unusual mixture of locations in London. Back in the 1970s, the previously residential area in and around Soho quietly transformed in the main adult entertainment quarter of London with sex cinemas, peep shows, sex shops and late-night bars. However, during the 1980s, the local borough council Westminster City Council, started to restrict the number of sex shop licences in the area to fifteen and as such, some LGBT parts were driven out to other boroughs in London.
Secondly, in recent years high rental costs and new redevelopments have put a large damper on places, meaning that some are basically forced out like the city's only leather bar Backstreet which closed in 2022.
See
- 1 A Conversation with Oscar Wilde (
BAK NOR Charing Cross). By Maggi Hambling, this controversial sculpture in Adelaide Street depicts the playwright - who was imprisoned for "gross indecency" in 1895 - laughing 
- 2 Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4QH ( ELI OGD CEN CIR H&C MET : Liverpool Street), ☏ +44 20 7392 9200, enquiries@bishopsgate.org.uk. M-F 9:00-18:00. Near Shoreditch and the City, London's central business district, this institute has been independently run since 1895. The archives feature special collections, artefacts from Britain's LGBT past and present. Bishopsgate Institute also features a series of events and exhibitions throughout the year
- 3 First Gay Rights Demonstration plaque, Highbury Fields, Near 1 Highbury Crescent, N5 1RN ( OGD VIC Highbury and Islington). A plaque to commemorate the first gay rights demonstration in Britain, held at Highbury Fields on November 27, 1970. 150 members of the Gay Liberation Front held a torchlight rally, opposing police harassment
- 4 Queer Britain, 2 Granary Square, King's Cross, N1C 4BH ( CIR H&C MET NOR PIC VIC King's Cross St Pancras or London King's Cross or London St Pancras), hello@queerbritain.org.uk. W-Su 12:00-18:00. Events and exhibitions celebrating Britain's LGBT history
- 5 Queercircle, Building 4, 3 Barton Yard, Soames Walk, SE10 0BN ( JUB North Greenwich). Tu-Su 12:00-18:00. Exhibitions and conversations celebrating the work of LGBT artists and creators at the heart of Greenwich's "design district"
- 6 Space Station Sixty-Five (SS65), Building One, 373 Kennington Road, SE11 4PT ( NOR Kennington or NOR Oval or VIC Vauxhall), ☏ +44 20 7820 1120, info@spacestationsixtyfive.com. An artist-run space in south-east London, this contemporary art venue welcomes contributions from "a large and diverse audience"
- 7 Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL ( CIR DIS PIC South Kensington), ☏ +44 20 7942 2000, hello@vam.ac.uk. Tu-Su 12:00-18:00. A famous collection of art and fashion from London, the UK and the rest of the world. The museum has an LGBTQ Working Group to help unearth previously hidden or unknown LGBTQ histories in the collection
Do
Event dates vary year-to-year. Check websites for up-to-date line ups and information.
Pride
- 1 London Trans+ Pride ( BAK NOR Charing Cross). A central London protest and celebration of trans, non-binary, intersex and non-conforming joy. Founded as "a response to the injustices" faced by London's trans communities.
- 2 National Student Pride ( BAK CEN VIC Oxford Circus). Venues vary. A National Student Pride event for UK university students based at the University of Westminster
- 3 Pride in London ( BAK NOR Charing Cross for Trafalgar Square or ELI CEN NOR Tottenham Court Road for Soho Square or PIC NOR Leicester Square). London's LGBT community turns out in force on one day each summer, filling Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Soho Square for one of the Europe's biggest pride events. Shops and bars run special one-off events on the day. The parade passes through central London
- 4 UK Black Pride ( ELI OGD CEN JUB DLR Stratford or OGD Hackney Wick). Held in East London, UK Black Pride is a celebration of the black LGBT community in the capital. Discover musicians, hear spoken word artists, and get involved in conversations at this celebration of LGBT joy.
Other events
- Fetish Week London. While as not as big as Folsom Europe in Berlin or Darklands in Antwerp. Resident London kinksters have their own week of fun in July organised by the kink company Recon. It consists of various fetish parties, socials and events in and around London. Details of the events and uniform codes are on the website.
Film and theatre
- 5 BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival ( Waterloo East or BAK JUB NOR W&C Waterloo). A springtime celebration of LGBT cinema, this annual festival runs at BFI Southbank and online. Check the calendar for events, including film screenings, talks and conversations, and DJ nights
- 6 King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, Islington, N1 1QN ( NOR Angel or OGD VIC Highbury and Islington), toll-free: +44 20 7226 8561, info@kingsheadtheatre.com. King's Head Theatre in Islington features LGBT productions and conversations, as part of its year-round calendar of pub theatre events
- 7 Queer East, info@queereast.org.uk. Celebrate LGBT cinema and live arts from east and southeast Asia and diaspora communities - on screens throughout London and the UK. Various venues
- 8 The Vaults, Leake Street (Graffiti Tunnel), Waterloo, SE1 7NN ( BAK JUB NOR W&C Waterloo or BAK Lambeth North), ☏ +44 20 7401 9603, enquiries@thevaults.london. Confident, punchy productions at "London's home for immersive theatre" beneath Waterloo Station
Music
- 9 ABBA Voyage, ABBA Arena, Pudding Mill Lane, Stratford, E15 2RU ( DLR Pudding Mill Lane). Experience Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid in the auditorium or on the dancefloor at ABBA Arena - until 2026. This 90-minute 'hologram' concert is a digital concert celebrating ABBA "at their very best". If you've got queries about an accessible booking, email: access@abbavoyage.com
- 10 Mighty Hoopla ( Herne Hill), info@mightyhoopla.com. Brockwell Park's summer pop festival where the line up has previously featured Chaka Khan, TLC, Sugababes, Steps, Cheryl and Years and Years
Nightlife
- 11 Heaven, Under the Arches, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG ( BAK CIR DIS NOR Embankment or BAK NOR Charing Cross), ☏ +44 844 847 2351. Gigs, events and late nights out "under the arches" at Charing Cross
- 12 Ku, 30 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA ( NOR PIC Leicester Square). Drinks, nights out and themed club nights for gay, lesbian, trans and non-binary people in London and beyond - since 1995
- 13 She Soho, 23A Old Compton Street, W1D 5JL ( ELI CEN NOR Tottenham Court Road or BAK PIC Piccadilly Circus). For "women, non-binary folk and their guests at the heart of Soho", this Old Compton Street bar hosts a range of drag shows, themed nights and general nights out
Saunas
- 14 Pleasuredrome, 124 Cornwall Rd, SE1 8XE ( Waterloo East or JUB Southwark). 18+ only. Relaxed spa bar open 24/7 near Waterloo station. With massage parlour.
- 15 SweatBox Soho, Ramillies House, 1-2 Ramillies Street, W1F 7LN ( BAK CEN VIC Oxford Circus). 18+ only. One of London's best known and busiest gay saunas and gyms.
Buy
Money
Of course London is like the rest of the UK, and uses the British pound [GBP] as its currency. Although LGBT people might be interested to know that London-born mathematician and the father of the computer Alan Turing, who was gay and is on the back of the current £50 banknote. Also there has been a 50p piece, designed by non-binary Dominique Holmes celebrating 50 years of pride in 2022. You might be able to find one in a coin collectors shop in the city, as the coin was quite collectable.
Books
- 1 The Common Press, 118 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6DJ ( OGD Shoreditch High Street). LGBT workshops, hangouts, parties, panels, signing, classes and networking events at this relaxed Bethnal Green bookshop
- 2 Gay's the Word, 66 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB ( PIC Russell Square). London's oldest LGBT bookshop, Gay's the Word has been at the heart of British LGBT activism since 1979. Founded by a group of gay socialists, the idea is that all of the profits are ploughed back into this busy business, which has been immortalised in books and film
Sex shops
- 3 Clonezone, 266 Old Brompton Road, Earls Court, SW5 9HR ( OGD West Brompton, or PIC DIS Earls Court), ☏ +44 20 7373 0598. This is a flagship store of one of the major gay sex shop chains in the UK. It has everything you would need for a night out. They have a second store on Old Compton Street.
- 4 FETCH, Arch 642, Voltaire Rd, SW4 6DH ( OGD Clapham High Street or NOR Clapham North), ☏ +44 20 7819 9986, info@fetchshop.co.uk. M-F: 11:00-20:00, Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 11:00-18:00. Home to floor-to-ceiling of fetishwear, toys and gear. Notably has the option of motorcycle courier service which would deliver in an hour.
- 5 Fetish Freak, 76 Bolton Crescent, SE5 0SE ( NOR Oval), ☏ +44 20 7091 0031, info@fetishfreak.co.uk. M, W-Sa 11:00-18:30, Su: 12:00-17:00, Closed on Tuesdays. The small shop is an absolute cornucopia for anyone in leather. You can can literally step out in full leather gear from head to foot from here, and all reasonably priced. Also sells rubber and latex.
- 6 Liberation (Libidex), 49 Shelton St, WC2H 9HE ( PIC Covent Garden), ☏ +44 20 7836 5894, liberationstore@libidex.co.uk. M-Sa 11:00-19:00, Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays. The is the flagship store of the fetish clothing company Libidex, who is known as the centre for all things latex for both men and women. Lots of garments from a range of prêt-à-porter to custom and bespoke items.
- 7 Prowler, 5-7 Brewer Street, W1F 0RF ( NOR PIC Leicester Square), ☏ +44 20 7734 4031, customerservices@prowler.co.uk. M-Th: 11:00 - 21:00, F-Sa: 11:00 - 22:00, Su: 12:00 - 20:00. The go to place for the latest fashions in erotic underwear. Stocking brands like; Pump, Diesel, Andrew Christian & AussieBum, plus their own private-label range. The nearby Prowler Red store (50 Old Compton) is for leather and toys.
Drink
Bars and pubs
- 1 Admiral Duncan, 54 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UB ( NOR PIC Leicester Square or ELI CEN NOR Tottenham Court Road or BAK PIC Piccadilly Circus), ☏ +44 20 7437 5300, admiralduncan.oldcomptonst@stonegategroup.co.uk. A single room: what it lacks in space, it makes up for with drag performances, with one nearly every day.
The pub is famous in LGBT+ history as being the site of of one of worst terrorist acts that happened in London in recent memory, the 1999 London nail bombings. - 2 The Bridge, 8 Voltaire Road, SW4 6DJ ( OGD Clapham High Street), ☏ +44 20 7720 1959, info@bridgewinebar.com. Snug, relaxed gay bar in Clapham
- 3 Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Rd, King's Cross, N1 9SD ( NOR VIC PIC CIR H&C MET King’s Cross St Pancras), ☏ +44 20 7278 3294, email@centralstation.co.uk. Everyday: 17:00 - 00:00. Unlike other gay pubs, this one is independent and is noted for entertainment including karaoke and resident DJ. Also includes bed and breakfast accommodation.
- 4 Comptons, 53-57 Old Compton St, W1D 6HN ( NOR PIC Leicester Square or ELI CEN NOR Tottenham Court Road or BAK PIC Piccadilly Circus), ☏ +44 20 7096 5470, comptons.soho@stonegategroup.co.uk. A gay institution. Mostly caters to an older, rougher, fetish-oriented and bearish crowd.
- 5 Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB ( OGD Dalston Kingsland or OGD Dalston Junction), ☏ +44 20 7254 2273. This Dalston venue is perfect for relaxed drinks, iconic club nights, boozy brunches and plenty of positivity for East London's LGBT community
- 6 Duke Of Wellington, 77 Wardour St, W1D 6QB ( NOR PIC Leicester Square or ELI CEN NOR Tottenham Court Road or BAK PIC Piccadilly Circus), ☏ +44 20 7439 1274, dukeofwellington.soho@stonegatepubs.com. Superb "neighbourhood pub" which is popular with the bearish crowd. Good music and great choice of drinks. Downstairs is always busy - upstairs is more subdued with sofas and tables.
- 7 Halfway to Heaven, 7 Duncannon Street, WC2N 4JF ( BAK NOR Charing Cross), ☏ +44 20 7484 0736, halfwaytoheaven.london@stonegategroup.co.uk. Drinks upstairs and (perhaps) some drag downstairs, just off Trafalgar Square - since 1991
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- 8 Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY ( VIC Vauxhall). Drink at the same bar as the LGBT greats of Great Britain. This iconic venue south of the Thames is one of the world's best known cabaret venues, established in the 1980s. It remains a performance venue with drag shows and themed nights in its jam packed calendar of events
- 9 Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UJ ( NOR Clapham Common or OGD Clapham High Street), twobrewers.london@stonegategroup.co.uk. This legendary venue opened as an LGBT bar in 1981 and hosts shows, cabaret and glitter-filled club nights
- 10 Village, 81 Wardour Street, W1D 6QD ( NOR PIC Leicester Square or ELI CEN NOR Tottenham Court Road or BAK PIC Piccadilly Circus), village.soho@stonegategroup.co.uk. Sexy but above-board bar at the very end of Soho's famous Old Compton Street
- 11 Zodiac Bar, 119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE ( NOR VIC Warren Street or CIR H&C MET Euston Square or OGD NOR VIC Euston). Lively, independent LGBT venue which opens late into the evening
Cruise bars
If you would like your drink with sex on the side, there are special cruise bars for that. They have an entrance fee and usually have themed evenings. All only open to those over 18.
Note: Sexual activity in the toilets is illegal, and if you are caught you will be thrown out.
- 12 Lord Clyde, 9 Wotton Rd, Deptford SE8 5TQ ( Deptford), ☏ +44 7306 882 555. On the outside, it looks like a discrete ordinary looking 19th century pub. However, the Lord Clyde is in fact the newest cruise bar on the scene. The pub constitutes of bar with sofas and large screen, which leads to a number of cruising areas on various floors. Noted for its friendliness and body positive attitude. £5 to £10 depending on the event.
- 13 MA1: The Bunker (Bunker Bar), 217-221 City Rd, EC1V 1JN ( NOR Old Street), admin@ma1.co.uk. This basement bar has two noted things; one is its variety of themed events including naked, sportswear and underwear evenings, and also contains a wide selection of spirits for sale. £10 with one drink.
- 14 The Underground Club, 37 Wharfdale Road, N1 9SD ( NOR VIC PIC CIR H&C MET King’s Cross St Pancras). Below the Central Station gay pub, in its basement is its cruising bar. Entrance is by an unassuming door. Home to regular watersports (Club SOP) and monthly rubber (Rubber Underground) and leather evenings (Leather Underground). Entrance charge varies on the event, so check out website.
- 15 Vault 139, 139-143 Whitfield St, W1T 5EW ( NOR VIC Warren Street or CIR H&C MET Great Portland Street), ☏ +44 20 7388 5500, info@vault139.com. A basic cruise bar with a sling and a small number of cabins. £10 with one drink.
Sleep
Under English law, you cannot discriminate against a person based on their sexual ordination or gender identity as they are "protected characteristics" under the Equality Act 2010. This means no hotel or accommodation can refuse you a double bed or even a room if two men or women ask for one. Because of this and other factors, there aren't really any gay hotels in London. However the Grand Central pub (see above in Drink) does have B&B accommodation in the pub.
Stay safe
Homophobic and transphobic attacks are rare but do happen from time-to-time - against men, women and non-binary people. Violence against LGBT people or groups could amount to a "hate crime" in the UK. According to the Metropolitan Police, hate crimes can include physical assault, verbal abuse and incitement to hatred (such as threats against a specific person or group based on their identities).
There are two police forces in London:
- City of London Police - within The Square Mile (City of London) only
- Metropolitan Police Service - everywhere else.
The British Transport Police looks after the rail and underground transport network, such as railway stations, tube stations and tube lines.
You can report a crime in progress by calling ☏ 999 or ☏ 112 and asking for the police. This is the emergency line in the UK.
You can report past crimes, or crimes which do not require a police call-out, by calling ☏ 101. There may also be online reporting tools available, such as on the Metropolitan Police website.
If you do not feel safe talking to the police, there are other organisations which you can contact, including:
- CrimeStoppers to report crime anonymously on ☏ +44 800 555 111 - https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
- LGBT Foundation to report LGBTphobic hate on ☏ +44 345 330 30 30 - http://lgbt.foundation/helpline
- Switchboard for advice and support ☏ +44 800 0119 100 - https://switchboard.lgbt/
- Galop to report LGBT+ domestic violence on ☏ +44 800 999 5428 or help@galop.org.uk - https://galop.org.uk/
Many LGBT pubs are part of the Ask for Clive initiative, which aims to make LGBT pubs safe for LGBT individuals. The idea is that if you feel harassed or discriminated because of your sexuality or gender identity, if you tell a member of staff to "Ask for Clive", they will try and get a trained member of staff to resolve the issue.
Local laws
This isn't a wagging finger at you, but advice on what are the laws while you are here.
- The age of consent in Great Britain, including London, is 16.
- The UK has a long history of gross indecency laws which prohibits various sexual acts in public. The latest codification is the Sexual Offences Act 2013 which principally prohibits having sex in public. This law is used also against public cruising and cottaging [having sex in public toilets]. Many pubs have signs telling patrons that only one person is allowed per toilet cubicle.
- Nightclubs, saunas and pornography-containing sex shops ban entry for under 18s. Bars can allow 14 to 18 years entry, but most voluntarily don't, as it is a condition of their alcohol licence.
- Although the drinking age is 18, most licensed places operate a system where if you look under 25 or even under 30, you may be asked for your ID to confirm your age. So keep your passport or driving licence with you. If you are staying for a while, for instance being a student, it might be wise to invest in a PASS age verification card. It costs around £15 to £30.
- Cannabis e.g; ganja, weed, pot, although it is used by certain community members, is an illegal narcotic. If you are caught with a small amount such as a single joint, you would be arrested and likely cautioned [a notice would be put on your criminal record]. Any more, or if you are caught dealing, there is the possibility of fines, imprisonment, or if you're a foreigner, expelled from the country.
- No business or organisation is allowed to discriminate against you on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, bar a few exceptions under the Equality Act 2010. That means that women can go into gay bars etc, unlike say in Berlin. Despite the current transphobia in the media, trans people have the right to use the same toilet as their gender identity.
- Prostitution laws in England are rather complicated about what is legal and what is not, so it is best to avoid it in total.
- Unlike many other countries like Canada, United States and parts of Mainland Europe; poppers [alkyl nitrite] are legal in the UK and are widely available in sex shops.
Respect
Most gay cafés, bars and nightclubs have a tolerant and welcoming attitude towards straight people visiting them, and your straight friends are unlikely to be turned away. Nevertheless the behaviour of a number of hen parties [bachelorette parties] have made many of them turn away groups of women. If you do get a hen party nearby and they become boisterous, notify the bar or security staff.
Stay healthy
The NHS is the public health provider in London. If you have travel insurance, you may also be entitled to use private hospitals.
If you are in a "life or death" emergency or require an urgent ambulance, you can dial ☏ 999 or ☏ 112, and ask for the ambulance.
If you need urgent health advice and are not sure where to turn, even overnight, phone NHS ☏ 111.
You can walk into Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments throughout London if you require urgent assistance. Pharmacies may be able to help with minor ailments. You can find a database of all NHS dispensing pharmacies here.
Sexual health
Some organisations distribute free condoms or lube at pubs, bars, nightclubs and saunas. You can purchase condoms or lube at most supermarkets and almost all pharmacies.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is free on the NHS in London. This is a medium-term method of HIV prevention, not a one-off "fix" like condoms.
Sexual Health London offers home testing for people living in London. The website offers advice for people who need sexual health advice throughout London.
If you have had unprotected sex and you need PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) to protect yourself against a potential HIV infection, you can walk in to most sexual health centres. You can also get PEP from Accident and Emergency clinics at large hospitals after an assessment or screening.
Rape and sexual assault survivors can also walk in to most sexual health centres or Accident and Emergency.
You can contact Switchboard for advice and support on ☏ +44 800 0119 100 or at https://switchboard.lgbt/
There are several specialist sexual health clinics includingː
- 1 56 Dean Street
in Soho which has dedicated services for trans and non-binary people, people who use chems, men who have sex with men, and the wider LGBT community. Some services are walk-in, for example, if you need PEP or if you have been sexually assaulted. Other services may require a booking. - 2 Dean Street Express (34 Dean Street) in Soho for short, quick appointments.
- 3 Mortimer Market Centre in Bloomsbury, which has a dedicated service for men who have sex with men.
- 4 Clinic26 in Whitechapel with limited opening for men who have experienced historic sexual abuse, sexual assault or rape
Disabled LGBT
See also: Travellers with disabilities
Unfortunately, LGBT people who have disabilities will have a hard time in London. Many venues are based in the basements such as Vault 139 or She Soho, or are in old buildings so as such they have a lot of stairs or steps. Many don’t have lifts like the Duke of Wellington. A lot of venues do not have accessible toilets such as Compton’s or Admiral Duncan. Many pubs and nightclubs have loud music and bad acoustics, which can be problematic for those on the autistic spectrum or those with hearing problems.
Connect
London is well served on most mobile and 5G networks, including EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.
Most cafés and bars offer free WiFi. Check with each venue if you are unsure.
External links
- Visit London - LGBT+ London, the LGBT section of official Visit London website.
Go next
- Brighton, with very regular fast trains to and from London, has a thriving LGBT scene - including nightclubs and club nights, shops and a calendar of events
- Manchester's Gay Village, with its famous Canal Street, features a set of popular bars and clubs
- Paris' 4th arrondissement is an LGBT hotspot with plenty of bars and nightclubs, and is just a few hours away by train from St Pancras International