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Gay Bars |
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Whatever your taste in gay bars, London has it. So here is a listing of the best in the main gay areas - I'll tell you exactly what to expect and exactly when to go - so you can avoid touring round empty places. To track down other gay bars (mostly outside the centre), look in the free gay papers available in all the bars - the one called 'BOYZ' has the best listings. And don't forget to look at my listings of raunchy places - which includes some great bars and clubs.
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of Bars:
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In
April 1999, a bomb unexpectedly exploded in a crowded
Admiral Duncan bar killing three and maiming many others.  This
was the third bomb - the black and Asian communities had
been the targets of the previous two. Thankfully, the
perpetrator is now starting a long sentence behind
bars. As for the bar itself, that has since been completely
gutted and refitted - and after several months, was reopened
in a moving ceremony which saw Old Compton Street packed
with cheering and defiant gays, lesbians and straights. |
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The first thing you will notice . . . about bars in London, is that they mostly get busy early in the evening (from 6pm) - then many close at 11 pm, just as things are getting really hot! This is one of our quaint British customs that foreigners find difficult to comprehend. But you will see that it gives our bars a special atmosphere with everyone clamouring for more drinks before closing time. After 11pm the action shifts to the many clubs around town - so plan ahead - choose your club at the outset, and spend the evening eating and drinking your way towards it. |
Admiral Duncan 1200--2300 Mon-Sat, 1200-2230 Sun. Soho map 54 Old Compton Street. Tel (0)20 7437 5300 Piccadilly Circus tube Old Compton Street is the epicenter of the Gay community in London, and the Admiral Duncan is at the heart of that. Small and very friendly, it attracts a broad range of ages, although not so many of the very young (i.e. under 25's). Immediately through the entrance look up to see the memorial to those who were caught in the bomb attack in 1999. If you are in the area, be sure to go in and enjoy a drink and the atmosphere - and to show your defiance to the prejudice which is still out there. It begins to get busy from around 1730 on a weekday, and on Saturday gradually livens up through the afternoon. Top |
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"I delight in men over 70 - they always offer one the devotion of a lifetime." - Oscar Wilde |
City of Quebec 1100-2300 Mon-Wed, 1100-0100 Thurs, 1100-0200 Fri/Sat, 1100-2230 Sun 12 Old Quebec St. W1. Tel (0)20 7629 6159 Marble Arch tube Nicknamed 'The Elephants Graveyard', this is where the oldies head for - as well as an assortment of young men. Last year the place had a much needed make-over, but this has turned the rear of the bar into something resembling a lowish budget hotel foyer - sofas and armchairs abound for the older clientel. The more sprightly (and questing) customers head for the smarter downstairs cellar-bar which opens around 5.30, and now incorporates a dancefloor (Slow Foxtrot anybody?). Here dim lights contribute to a somewhat seedy charm and cruisy atmosphere, and also make it easy for anyone over 5'10" to hit their head on the low overhead beams. Especially popular with well seasoned local homosexuals and married businessmen on business trips - if you are a day under 50, expect to be cruised mercilessly. Best anytime after 1700 of a weekday, or anytime on Sat. The disco gets packed from about 2200 on Fri and Sat. sxyq To get to
the Quebec, exit from Marble Arch tube and when you surface,
turn left - immediately on the corner is Kentucky Fried
Chicken - turn left and it is 30 meters up on the right. Top |
The Colehern 1200-2300 (until 2330 Sun) Earls Court map Corner of (261) Brompton Rd. and Colehern Rd. SW5. Tel (0)20 7244 5951 Earls Court tube  Today
this leather and jeans bar is populated by a rough looking
crowd of low-lifes, barristers and politicians, although you
will find it difficult to tell them apart by looking at
them. The average age has dropped since it was renovated,
but if you are between 25 and 65 you should feel at home. It
is pretty good anytime at weekends from lunchtime onward.
Whereas on weekdays, is has a flush of people between say
1730 and 1900 when many regulars drop in after work - and
picks up again after 2030 when it can get progressively
packed and the upstairs gallery opens. Some of the customers
have been known to get amorous in parts of this
establishment, although this is discouraged by the security
staff who do sometimes patrol - depending on the day and
time, certain other venues are much raunchier (see Ted's
Place under Raunchy Venues). There
is a useful coatcheck in the evening - but strangely, there
is absolutely no indication of its existence. If you want to
use it, just ask any of the bar staff who will be
happy to open up a locked side-door to deposit whatever. Top |
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| The Colehern is the big old lady of the London leather and jeans scene (70 years old?) and was recently given a major face lift to counter the falling numbers. At that time, certain old leather queens (some of whom had never been seen to move from their favourite bar stools) were carted out, and the brewery's bleach haired design team moved in. The result is a galleried construction of black and chrome which mostly retains the rough atmosphere. However, it was all too much for some of the old dears who never returned to see the attractive displays of alcoholic lemonade which now feature, nor the six foot ornament hanging on the ceiling, thirty feet above the main bar. . . |
Something for the Weekend Sir? No need to buy condoms in London (unless your size is way out of the ordinary . . .). There are free packs of condoms and lube in most gay bars. Look out for the packs of 'Freedoms' - or ask the bar staff if they are not on display. |
Comptons 1200-2300 Mon-Sat, 1900-2300 Sun. Soho map 53 Old Compton St. W1. Tel (0)20 7479 7681 Piccadilly Circus tube  Situated
on the every popular Old Compton Street, Comptons attracts a
rough looking 30's crowd who congregate in the cruisy ground
floor bar - where they mostly seem to stand around and stare
at each other - or gaze out of the big picture windows at
the hundreds of queens parading up and down. Mean looking
skinheads will feel particularly at home here. Not a place
to take your mother, not least because there are few seats
to plonk her down - instead take her straight up the stairs
to where there is a much more comfortable and friendly bar -
which even boasts carpets. Top |
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| If you have ever wondered where Richard Wagner wrote the opera 'The Flying Dutchman' (and I am sure you haven't), then look no further. In fact he stayed upstairs in the Swiss Hotel (now Comptons gay bar) in 1839 about the time he was penning his masterpiece. However, the room he stayed in is probably no more, as his compatriots bombed the hell out of the upper floors during the last war. | Want
to get pissed on the cheap? Then check out the page "London on the Cheap" for a listing of happy hours around town. |
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A gay bar where the 'Order of the Druids' was reconstituted (!)
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First Out Café Bar 1000-2300 Mon-Sat, 1100-2230 Sun. Tottenham Court Rd map 52 St Giles High St. WC2. Tel (0)20 7240 8042 Tottenham Court Rd tube Whilst First Out excels for its food (see Where to Eat) it also has a small downstairs bar which is mostly filled with tables and chairs - at last a London bar which doesn't expect us to stand all evening! Expect a youngish crowd (20's and 30's) of both gays and lesbians, mostly in couples. So if you are a lone gay man out hunting this is not an ideal venue to make a kill - better to stick to the much more cruisy bars around Old Compton Street (which is quite close). There are changing art shows on the walls (typically £100 upwards), and a women-only night on Friday. Spirits are just £1 from 1700 in the downstairs bar. Top Halfway to Heaven 1200-2300 Mon-Sat, 1200-2230 Sun. Charing Cross map 7 Duncannon St. WC2. Tel (0)20 7321 2791 Smallish bar on two floors attracting a mostly 30-50 aged crowd of regulars. It is close to the famous (and massive) Heaven Gay nightclub, hence the rather naff name. This traditional and friendly establishment is centrally located (near Trafalgar Square) and is much less trendy than Kudos (which is just around the corner). Fairly cheap food is served at lunchtime - around £5 for a main dish such as lasagna, cheaper for light meals. Worth dropping in on Monday - when the drinks are cheap, or Wednesday evening for the popular quiz night (teams of 1-4 people, and cash prizes). On Sunday evening there is a packed Karaoke in the downstairs bar - remember to take ear plugs. Top Kings Arms 1200-2300 Mon-Sat, 1200-2230 Sun 23 Poland St. W1. Tel (0)20 7734 5907 Oxford Circus tube  This
former 17th century hostelry was named in honour of James
III, and bizarrely, was the venue where the 'Order Of the
Druids' (5,000 year old religious sect) was reconstituted in
1781 (!) - if you don't believe me, look for the blue plaque
commemorating the event above the entrance. Successive
'improvements' by the brewery have however, successfully
eliminated most of the authentic old character. what remains
is a small and friendly bar, filling up after work with a
middle aged crowd of regulars - mostly of the clone and bear
variety. The ground floor gets very busy and quite cruisy,
but head to the back and take the small winding staircase -
at the top of which you can look through a tiny window and
admire a tableau of two garden gnomes having gay sex (!).
Beyond is a smaller and quieter bar with a pool table. Lunch
is cheap and good British stodge (steak and kidney pie and
chips for around £3.50) - don't expect Michelin stars. To
get to there from Soho, head up Wardour Street (see Soho
map) until it meets Oxford street (major shopping road).
Turn left, and Poland St. is second on the left. Top Ku Bar 1200-2300 Mon-Sat, 1300-2230 Sun. Soho map 75 Charing Cross Rd. W1. (0)20 7437 4303 Leicester Square tube A couple of doors down from 79CXR, this is a much more quiet, relaxed and modern bar, which seems to attract the younger end of the gay market (30 or less). It is not a hard cruising bar - and whenever I have been there, the ground floor has not been that busy - except perhaps later in the evenings, and at weekends. In contrast, the gallery upstairs is filled with small tables and seems to get crowded with a mixture of gays, lesbians and a few straights - which is not much good if you are an unattached male. Saturday evening is a good time to go, since it purports to sell the cheapest tickets for the big G.A.Y. nightclub which is in the locality and which often features top notch pop-groups. All of this adds up to a pleasant enough place. Top Kudos 1100-2300 Mon-Sat, 1100-2230 Sun. Charing Cross map 10 Adelaide St. WC2. Tel (0)20 7379 4573 Charing Cross tube Popular and trendy bar with a very international clientel - if you are after Orientals or Eskimos, this is the place to go. The whole place has just been completely restyled and the whole effect is smart and slick with big TV screens showing pop videos, and loads of staff to ensure speedy service. Professional looking guys pack out upstairs, (aged 21-45), whereas downstairs attracts a more casual and cruisy crowd - very busy from mid evening onwards. As a bonus, you can even sit down - tables and chairs upstairs and comfy seats downstairs at the back. Lunch is pretty good at around £5 a dish, although the bar staff are by far the tastiest things on the menu. Free coatcheck downstairs evenings from 1900, and free tickets to the nearby cavernous nightclub, Heaven, on Monday . Top Retro Bar 1200-2300 Mon-Sat, 1200-2230 Sun. Charing Cross map 2 St Georges Court, WC2. Tel (0)20 7321 2811 Charing Cross tube On first sight this is a traditional spit and sawdust bar - until you see the quirky artwork on the walls featuring pop stars. It attracts a very mixed crowd of gays and lesbians in equal measure - mostly (but not exclusively) under 30. A college bar with some middle aged office workers thrown in is the closest I can get to describing it - but overall, it is a refreshing change from the countless men-only bars in the center. An upstairs bar opens at around 7.30pm. On Fridays after 2000, they offer cheap queue-jump tickets and cheap booze for those wanting to go to the popular 'Popstarz' club. As it is down a small passage way, off the Strand, you will need to keep an eye out or you will miss it. Definitely recommended. Top Rupert Street Bar 1200-2300 Mon-Sat, 1200-2230 Sun. Soho map Corner of Rupert St. and Winnett St. W1. Tel (0)20 7292 7141 Piccadilly Circus tube If you are in your 20'sor 30's, good looking and a modern guy, then you would make a typical customer in this stylish bar. The large open space gets packed in the evening, but if you head for the back of the upper level, you may be lucky and find one of the modern sofas to sit on. Drinks on par with most other central London bars (i.e. expensive). Not busy at lunchtime, which is surprising as the food is very good although the service can be slow - expect to pay around £6.00 for a plateful. Eating at this place is definitely recommended if you are looking for an oasis of calm, and a welcome alternative to the more frenetic atmosphere of Balans restaurant around the corner in Old Compton Street (see Where to Eat). Beer in chilled glasses, and toilets to die for. Top 79CXR 1300-0200 Mon-Thurs, 1300-0300 Fri/Sat, 1300-2230 Sun. Soho map 79 Charing Cross Rd, W1. Tel (0)20 7734 0769 Leicester Square tube If you are a gay man out hunting, then you can do worse than head for 79CXR - a large busy cruising bar on the fringes of Soho. It is middle of the road - by which I mean it is neither trendy nor rough - so you will fit in if you wear jeans or a suit. Expect a large selection of men mostly from mid 20's up to 45 hanging around trying to look available. If you don't see anything on the ground floor which meets your fancy, head up the stairs to check out the upper bar - the gallery makes a good vantage point to spot Mr Right as he walks in through the door, and from where you can swoop down for the kill - as it were. There is a confusing array of special drinks offers which seem to depend on the day, the time, the type of drink, and possibly the type of underwear you are wearing - I have tried to list some of these offers in "happy hours" under London on the Cheap. Top The
Stag |
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| To find the Stag from Victoria tube station: take the exit close to the District and Circle lines, which is signposted up to Victoria Street (it is vital to take this exit). On surfacing, turn right down Victoria St and head for the Duke of York pub which is on the other side of the road, sixty yards along. Allington Street goes up the left side of the pub, and the Stag is at the far end of that (70 meters) - you will see it straight ahead. (For a map of Victoria, see the Noel Coward Hotel listing in 'Where to Stay') Top | ||
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