London doesn’t have just one gay quarter, but two. Soho in the centre with its long-established pubs – and Vauxhall south of the Thames, where clubs and cabaret run until morning.
Soho and Vauxhall
Around Old Compton Street in Soho you’ll find pubs such as Comptons, the Duke of Wellington and the Yard with its heated courtyard; a few streets away, the Kings Arms draws the bear scene. In Vauxhall there’s the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London’s stage for cabaret and drag, and the Eagle with its Sunday Horse Meat Disco. The well-known G-A-Y Bar on Old Compton Street closed in October 2025.
When to go?
- Summer – Pride in London: Parade through the centre and celebrations in Soho.
- All year round: Drag bingo, cabaret and club nights – current dates are listed below.
Our favourites
- For the first drink: the Yard in Soho.
- For a show: the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
- For bears: the Kings Arms on Poland Street.
Queer city tours
Want to get to know the scene during the day too? A tour with local guides is a great way to do it:
- LGBTQIA+ history walking tour – queer history on foot
- Queer history walking tour – with a local guide
Tours & activities in London
See all tours and activities in London on GetYourGuide
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Practical tips
- Many pubs close at around 11:30pm – if you want to party on, move on to Vauxhall afterwards.
- At weekends the Tube runs through the night on some lines.
- Soho is small: all the pubs are within easy walking distance of one another.
Editorially researched, as of October 2026.
Map
Places in London
Nightlife
PubAdmiral DuncanGay pub · London SohoTraditional gay pub on Old Compton Street, open since 1952. Target of a nail bomb attack in 1999, today with memorial plaques…PubCity of QuebecGay pub · London Marble ArchLong-running gay pub near Marble Arch with a basement bar and space for dancing and cabaret. A meeting place away from Soho.ClubCoven: HQClub & cabaret · London SohoQueer club on five floors in the former G-A-Y Bar on Old Compton Street, opened on 19 June 2026. Club with cabaret…ClubDalston SuperstoreQueer bar & club · London DalstonQueer bar with basement club on Kingsland High Street in Dalston. Café with brunch during the day, parties, drag and community events…ClubEagle LondonLondon VauxhallDisco on Sundays, leather at its roots: Eagle London on Kennington Lane is the home of Horse Meat Disco and one of…ClubFIRE & LightboxClub & party nights · London VauxhallLarge club complex under the railway arches in Vauxhall with several floors. Home to gay party nights and afterhours with house and…BarFriendly SocietyGay bar · London SohoSmall basement bar in Soho, reached through an inconspicuous door in Tisbury Court alley. Known for its kitsch decor with Barbie dolls…Karaoke & Drag BarHalfway to HeavenDrag pub · London Charing CrossGay pub on two floors near Trafalgar Square. Known for drag nights, cheap drinks and as a meeting point before Heaven.ClubHeavenGay club · London Charing CrossLarge gay club under the railway arches of Charing Cross, opened in 1979. Known as the home of the G-A-Y parties.ClubKU Bar & KlubGay bar & club · London Leicester SquareThe KU group's flagship on Leicester Square: bar with music videos and terrace, with the late-night club KU Klub below.BarLittle KUGay bar · London SohoSmall sister bar of KU Bar on Frith Street in Soho. Known for margaritas and a quieter setting than the flagship on…Fetish & Leather BarMA1 The BunkerCruise bar · London ShoreditchBasement cruise bar on City Road between Shoreditch and Old Street. With maze, cabins, video room and theme nights.BarRetro BarGay bar · London Charing CrossGay bar in a side alley off the Strand, a few minutes from Charing Cross station. Known for retro decor, quiz nights…Karaoke & Drag BarRoyal Vauxhall TavernDrag & cabaret bar · London VauxhallOpened in 1863 and listed since 2015 for its importance to queer history: the Royal Vauxhall Tavern is London's most famous stage…BarRupert StreetGay bar · London SohoGay bar with large windows onto the street in the heart of Soho. Food during the day, DJs in the evening and…BarSHE SohoLesbian bar · London SohoBasement bar on Old Compton Street for lesbian and queer women, run by the KU Bar team. Known for DJs, drag kings…Fetish & Leather BarTed’s PlaceCruise bar · London Fulham/West KensingtonSmall basement cruise bar on North End Road in West London, open for more than 20 years. With darkroom and changing theme…Karaoke & Drag BarThe Black CapDrag bar · London CamdenHistoric drag stage on Camden High Street, reopened on 21 March 2026 after eleven years of closure. Known as the Palladium of…Karaoke & Drag BarThe DivineDrag bar & club · London DalstonQueer bar, drag stage and club in Dalston from the team behind The Glory. The owners are drag artists Jonny Woo and…PubThe Duke of WellingtonLondon SohoDown-to-earth gay pub on the corner of Wardour Street and Old Compton Street: for more than 20 years the Duke of Wellington…PubThe George & DragonGay pub · London Greenwich/BlackheathGay pub on Blackheath Hill in Greenwich with a neighbourhood feel. Known for cabaret at the weekend and late opening hours.PubThe Kings Arms SohoLondon SohoLondon's bear pub: the Kings Arms on Poland Street calls itself Soho's oldest gay pub, is simply “The KA” to regulars and…Fetish & Leather BarThe Lord ClydeCruise pub · London DeptfordLate 19th-century pub in Deptford, a cruise bar since 2022 with a darkroom in the basement and theme nights.PubThe Queen AdelaideGay pub · London Bethnal GreenGay pub on two levels on Hackney Road in Bethnal Green. Upstairs a retro bar with cocktails, downstairs a dance floor with…BarTwo BrewersGay bar & club · London ClaphamLarge gay bar with club room on Clapham High Street in South London. Known for drag cabaret seven nights a week.ClubUnionClub & party nights · London VauxhallClub with a late licence at Vauxhall station. Known for afterhours and gay party nights such as SBN, Hard On and Bootylicious.Fetish & Leather BarVault 139Cruise bar · London FitzroviaBasement cruise bar in Fitzrovia, a few minutes from Warren Street. Open daily from 1 pm, with naked, underwear and all-or-nothing nights…BarVillage SohoGay bar · London SohoSince 1991 one of the best-known gay bars in Soho, on Wardour Street. Known for karaoke, go-go dancers and long nights in…Karaoke & Drag BarZodiac BarKaraoke & drag bar · London Camden/EustonTrans-founded queer bar with club and karaoke on Hampstead Road between Euston and Camden. Known for karaoke, drag and community nights.
Wellness
SaunaCovent Garden Health SpaGay sauna · London Covent GardenSmall, long-running sauna for gay and bisexual men on Endell Street. With steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and massage.SaunaE15 ClubGay sauna · London StratfordGay sauna near Stratford station in East London. With jacuzzi, steam room, dry sauna and darkroom, mostly with a local crowd.SaunaPleasuredromeGay sauna · London WaterlooGay sauna in the railway arches next to Waterloo station, open around the clock. With spa pool, several steam rooms and saunas…SaunaSailors SaunaGay sauna · London LimehouseGay sauna on Commercial Road in Limehouse, open overnight at weekends. With a large jacuzzi, steam room and roof terrace.SaunaSaunabar (Portsea Sauna)Gay sauna · London Marble ArchSmall gay sauna near Marble Arch with a focus on massage. With steam room, dry sauna and lounge.SaunaSweatbox SohoGay sauna · London SohoSauna and gym for men across three floors in Soho, open around the clock. Considered London's busiest central gay sauna.SaunaThe Locker RoomGay sauna · London KenningtonRenovated gay sauna in Kennington between Vauxhall and Elephant & Castle. With sauna, steam room, play rooms and cabins.
Stay
HotelCentral Station HotelLondon King's CrossSimple rooms above a piece of London gay history: Central Station Hotel sits directly above the gay bar of the same name…HotelHoliday Inn Express London Vauxhall Nine ElmsLondon VauxhallThis Holiday Inn Express is on South Lambeth Road in the heart of Vauxhall, London's club and party district south of the…HotelPark Plaza London RiverbankLondon VauxhallPark Plaza Riverbank is a large four-star hotel on Albert Embankment, with views of the Thames and Parliament. Travel Gay recommends it…HotelPoint A Hotel London Kings CrossLondon King's CrossPoint A on Gray's Inn Road is a simple budget hotel a few minutes from King's Cross St Pancras station. Travel Gay…HotelThe Resident SohoLondon SohoThe Resident Soho is a four-star hotel on a quiet side street by Soho Square. Travel Gay places it in the Soho…HotelThe Soho HotelLondon SohoThe Soho Hotel from the Firmdale group is set in a quiet mews between Dean Street and Wardour Street. Travel Gay recommends…HotelThe Z Hotel SohoLondon SohoThe Z Hotel Soho occupies converted Georgian townhouses on Moor Street, right by Old Compton Street. Nomadic Boys list it as a…
Food & Café
Community
Culture
Events in London
- Sat, 3. Jul06:00 PridePride in London 2027Central London / Paraderoute
FAQ: London
Which gay bars and clubs are there in London?
The Atlas currently lists 29 bars and clubs in London, including Halfway to Heaven, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, The Kings Arms Soho and Eagle London. Each listing has the address, opening hours and our take on the place.
Is there a gay sauna in London?
Yes, for example Covent Garden Health Spa, E15 Club, Pleasuredrome and Sailors Sauna.
Which gay-friendly hotels are there in London?
Recommended options include The Soho Hotel, Central Station Hotel, Holiday Inn Express London Vauxhall Nine Elms and Park Plaza London Riverbank.