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Gay places cropped up to form an underground community in the shadows of the red-light district. Like many cities around the world, it was an area where city officials and residents turned a blind eye. Over the years, Soho was the red-light district of London. It became a nickname for the area and stuck, although the hunting has changed a bit. The area was a royal hunting ground during the Tudor period and Soho was a popular hunting cry. The SoHo neighborhood in New York City stands for South of Houston Street, but in London the origin is different. Still, the historic gay area of London is known as Soho and it’s located in Central London’s busy West End. Threatened with closure last year but won a battle to stay open after a large successful petition.London’s gay scene is hardly confined to one geographic area of the city.
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Quiz night Wednesday and Cabaret on Sundays. Although the décor is exactly what you’d expect from an East End pub, the entertainment is not, with regular drag performances and cabaret from the likes of Titti La Camp and Sandra. Also a great spot for some pre-clubbing dancing and drinks, especially if DJ Lee Harris is playing.Ī charming, traditional pub that blends effortlessly into its East End neighbourhood, a two-minute walk from Limehouse DLR Station. Likewise, nabbing a table upstairs by the balcony is great for watching the gay world go by on Old Compton Street. It’s bigger and grander – with intricate features, old woods and an impressive, sweeping staircase – a good spot for surveying the throng of drinkers below. One of the oldest gay venues in London, Compton’s is just a few steps away from The Welly. There’s a fun area for dancing inside (not quite a ‘dance floor', more a space without tables and chairs), while up the winding staircase there are plenty of tables and some quiet corners for grabbing a snog or three. On summer nights, it’s surrounded by a veritable moat of men drinking al fresco. Working behind the narrow bar can be tricky – there’s a trap-door right in the middle…Ī beacon of manliness, ‘The Welly’ is an exceptionally popular pub in the heart of Soho. Sunday evening karaoke is an institution, with some talented regulars! The upstairs is a bit quieter, with a pool table and old wooden paneling. Known as ‘the bear’s pub’ and for good reason, this blokey boozer is always a safe bet for a fun night out. Look out for the handsome beardy manager, Simon (swoooon). This is a man’s world, but more than friendly enough to take your cool girl friends. With queues around the block on any Bank Holiday, this place is the perfect melting pot of beards, handsomeness, and hunky hedonism. Just go!Īnother diverse venue with cruising, boozing, BBQs and DISCO on various nights, The Eagle’s Horse Meat Disco party on a Sunday is so popular it’s travelled around the globe. Saturday’s is super-fun Duckie, and there’s even the ‘grassy knoll’ of Spring Gardens behind, which becomes the gayest park in London with even a glimmer of sunshine. On Monday is the ever-popular Gay Bingo, and throughout the week there’s a ton of creative nights. Home of the phenomenal Dame Edna Experience on a Sunday for many years, Charlie Hides has taken up the mantle with his superb impressions of GaGa, Cher and Madonna.
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This is a popular spot with east London hipsters and arty types, with regular exhibitions. There’s a menagerie of epic decorations adorning the walls – including a ‘singing’ horse head that can be a tad freaky after one too many gins. Just a stones-throw from Nelson's, this is probably the quirkiest gay boozer of them all. The art on the wall, in the form of ‘interesting’ portraits, is for sale too. There’s a jukebox, some stunning old chandeliers and some very sexy bar staff. Tucked away behind the famous Colombia Road of Flower Market fame, ‘Nelsons’ is the perfect mix of cool, friendly and edgy, where DJs, club promotors, models and East London fashionistas come to chill out.