Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Drag & cabaret bar · London Vauxhall
Opened in 1863 and listed since 2015 for its importance to queer history: the Royal Vauxhall Tavern is London’s most famous stage for drag and cabaret.
- ★ 4.4 on Google (871)
- Drag and cabaret
- listed since 2015
- all ages
- Address
- 372 Kennington Lane
London SE11 5HY - Opening hours
- Tue–Thu 7 pm–11.45 pm
Fri/Sat 10 pm–4 am
Sun 4 pm–11 pm
closed Mon - Admission
- depends on the event, tickets online
- Crowd
- very mixed, from early 20s to 60+, many long-time regulars
- Flirt factor
- medium, higher on club nights
- Programme
- Cabaret every Sunday
Friday Night Club on Fridays
BeefMince on selected Saturdays
Current dates on the website - Getting there
- Vauxhall Tube and station, about 3 minutes’ walk
What makes the RVT special
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is one of London’s oldest queer venues. In 2015 it became the first building in the UK to be listed for its importance to LGBTQ history. Paul O’Grady performed here as Lily Savage for eight years. During a police raid in 1987 officers arrived wearing rubber gloves; Lily Savage quipped that they must have come to help with the washing-up. And the story persists that Princess Diana came here disguised as a man in the late 80s.
Today there is drag, cabaret, bingo, quiz formats and club nights. Push The Button has been playing pop since 1990, and BeefMince is a fixture for bears and admirers. Tickets are sold via the website.
Atmosphere and crowd
The crowd is very mixed, from students to regulars who have been coming for decades. Many describe the RVT as a real community where there’s lots of laughter. On weekend club nights people dance until 4 am.
A good fit if you …
- love drag and cabaret
- want to experience a piece of queer history
- want to party until the morning at the weekend
Not ideal if you …
- want to go out on a Monday, when it’s closed
- are looking for a quiet pub to talk
Contact
Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Sources: official Royal Vauxhall Tavern website, Google reviews (4.4 stars, 871 reviews). Opening hours, prices and programme may change, please check before you go.