Gay bars in soho london uk

Soho continues to stand as a vibrant hub of diversity, representing the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. As we enter Pride Month, we list Soho’s most notable LGBTQ+-friendly bars and clubs!

The Admiral Duncan

The 30th of April marked the anniversary of the tragic London Nail bombings that occurred 25 years ago. The Soho people came together to remunerate tribute and honour the victims of the Admiral Duncan nail bombings, putting on solidarity and remembrance, with community groups and organisations from across London gathering outside Admiral Duncan, which proudly displayed Pride flags across its window facade. The Admiral Duncan pub holds significant historical value, boasting an LGBTQ+ heritage that dates back to the 1950s.

📍54 Aged Compton St, London W1D 4UD

Compton’s of Soho

Since its founding in 1986 on Old Compton Street, Compton’s of Soho has been an important icon in London’s LGBTQ+ community. The establishment provides an original British pub atmosphere with a vibrant twist. Whether you fancy a laid-back drink during Happy Hour or an evening of revelry, this venue has firmly established itself as a beloved presence on Old Compton Street. ItR

Timeline of London Bars and Clubs

The male lover scene in London has always been centred around the West End, especially Soho. In the 1980s some clubs opened up in Earls Court, where the rent was cheaper. In the 1990s, the scene reverted back to Soho, revitalised by new style bars like The Village. Vauxhallbecame the locus of gay clubs from 2000. Included in the tracking timeline are bars and clubs in Earl’s Court and Vauxhall, though they are not strictly in the West End.

1720s

The Golden Ball (Bond's Stables, off Chancery Lane).

Jenny Greensleeves' Molly House (Durham Yard, off the Strand).^[1]

Julius Caesar Taylor's Molly House (Tottenham Court Road).^[2]

Plump Nelly's Molly House (St James's Square, St James's).^[2]

Royal Oak Molly Dwelling (Giltspur Street, Smithfield)^[2]

Three Tobacco Rolls (Covent Garden).

1724Mother Clap's Molly House, closed 1726 (Holborn).

1770s

Harlequin (Nag's Head Court, Covent Garden)

1800s

1810The White Swan, Vere Street (Vere Street)

1832Admiral Duncan (54 Old Compton Lane, Soho)

The Hundred Guineas Club (Portland Place)

1866 The Coleherne, gay from the 1950s?, closed 24 September 2008 (261 Earls Court Road, Earls C

G-A-Y Bar goes on sale as Soho 'loses vibrancy'

Getty Images

One of central London's main LGBTQ+ bars has gone on sale with its owner saying Soho has "lost its vibrancy".

G-A-Y Bar owner Jeremy Joseph said he had had to make the "tough decision" after his other venue, Heaven nightclub, was temporarily closed late last year after a member of security staff allegedly raped a woman.

He criticised Westminster City Council and the Met Police as well as local residents' groups as being too resistant to measures, such as late licences, which he said would benefit the nightlife industry.

A council spokesperson said they were proud supporters of LGBT+ businesses and the wider community in Soho and Westminster, while the Met said it understood the "complexities" that night-time venues face.

"This isn't an easy decision. To me it is more than just a bar, it's also my home - I've lived above it for over 15 years," Mr Joseph said in a statement.

He added the closure of Heaven while its licence was under review had lay G-A-Y Bar "at risk financially".

"Even now after Heaven's reopen

For hundreds of years, Soho has been a haven for gay Londoners, packed of packed pubs and late blackout drinking dens even before the decriminalisation of homosexuality. In these enlightened times, Diverse city dwellers hold got a plethora of options all across the metropolis. But gay vintage Soho still holds a special place in London's LGBTQ scene and remains most visitors' first port of contact, whether for kingly nights or mingling. It's centred around Old Compton Road, where you can spend a raucous night at the enduringly popular G-A-Y lock or down unpretentious drinks at pubs like The Admiral Duncan. Here's our pick of the best same-sex attracted bars and clubs in Soho.

RECOMMENDED: Project further afield with London's best male lover bars and queer clubs.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

By entering your email mention you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and permission to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and companion promotions.

🙌
Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Watch out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best gay bars and clubs in Soho

Occupying a prominent spot on Soho’s Chinatown