logo
   

Raunchy Bars and Clubs
Rodin Sculpture
Over the last few years, the authorities seem to have taken a much more tolerant attitude to gay bars and clubs at the raunchier end of the spectrum, although it is always possible that they could clamp down without warning.  Here is a list of some hot bars and clubs - all of which are very popular.  However, there are also a number of clubs which operate special nights or events in London, and which cater for very specific tastes. These are usually not advertised - the best way to find out about them is to ask other customers at the venues listed below.
 

Rodin Sculpture

List of Raunchy   Venues:

  The Block
  Central Station
  Fist
  The Fort
  The Hoist
  Loose
  Ted's Place

Also checkout my listings of saunas - which can be pretty steamy . . .

 Dresscode:
Some of the more raunchier bars and clubs in London impose a 'dresscode'. Foreigners can sometimes find this a bit irritating, but it does ensure that everyone in the club is on the same wavelength and that the 'merely curious' are kept out.

Usually dresscode means leather, rubber, uniform, or fetish wear (but obviously on 'special' nights the code may be more precise - e.g. 'rubber'). Generally a leather bikers jacket or black leather trousers will get you in, as would a rubber vest, or some army uniform. Acceptable army gear would be a pair of plain or camouflaged army trousers - you can buy these for as little as £20 in the shops in Oxford Street. As for footwear, army boots are certainly OK, and plain black shoes (as worn by the army or police) should also be OK - whereas trainers are definitely out - you simply will not be let in if you wear them. The one exception is 'Shoot' which meets on some Sunday afternoons at Central Station - where perversely, you will not get in unless you wear trainers. In all cases, if you are unsure whether you have the right kit, phone beforehand to ask.
 


A few words on getting into venues:

Despite the increasing tolerance of the police to gay establishments of the raunchy variety, the owners and managers still want to avoid the general public just stumbling in off the street.  For this reason there are a couple of things you might encounter on the door. Here is the score so you will know what to expect.
  • Firstly, you may have to ring a door bell to get in - we all find this a bit intimidating when going to a place for the first time. However, in all of the establishments listed here (bar one! - see below), the staff are usually really friendly. Remember, if you are genuine and on the same wavelength as the rest of their clientel,  then they will be keen to get you inside and spending your money as quickly as possible.
  • The second thing, is that you may be asked to sign an entry  book.  Many people just put an illegible scrawl, or the name of their favourite homophobe.
  • Finally, whilst most (if not all) of the clubs have a membership list, I have always just turned up as a non-member and gained entry with 'guest' status - although members will generally pay less for entry. You should be aware, however, that it is possible that they could suddenly enforce the membership requirement. Where membership does matter, is the more 'specialist' or 'exotic' clubs which I allude to above - the entry staff at these can be extremely cautious. In those cases, try to go with someone who is a member - or if you do go on spec, be prepared to try to convince the door staff that you really are OK and not from a tabloid newspaper!

And a Few words on Legality:
you should be aware that the laws in the UK prohibit men having sex in public places (even kissing!), and indeed prohibit more than two men having sex together. It is always possible that the police could decide to check up on gay establishments and raid them - particularly those at the raunchier end of the spectrum. You should be aware that this possibility exists. 

And finally:
some raunchy clubs have different dresscode theme on different nights - and these can change at short notice. I try to keep all the details on this website up to date, but you are advised to cross-check adverts/listings in the free gay press, or phone in advance - it could save you a wasted journey.

"Morality is simply the attitude we adopt to people we personally dislike"
     - Oscar Wilde
The Block:
2200-0300 Wed, Thur, Sun. 2200-0600 Fri and Sat.
28 Hancock Rd, E3. Tel (0)20 8988 0257. Bromley by Bow tube.
Entry is about a fiver for non members.Location of the Block
This strict dresscode club is way out in East London, but has the advantage that it is open right through to 0600 in the morning at the weekend - which makes getting home by tube feasible - if you can stick it out that long. You will need to wear leather/rubber/uniform but skinhead /construction /industrial may also be OK (I recommend you phone to check on the latter). As ever, no trainers. The exception to all of this is Wednesday, which is currently underwear night. Expect a very lusty  crowd aged from 30-65. Busiest between 2400 and 0300 at weekends, and a little earlier in the week. It is in a rough area of London, so exercise care in leaving - minicabs will almost certainly be waiting outside (but see my page on Dangers and Annoyances), or ask the door staff to order a black cab. Top

Central Station:
1700-0200 Mon-Wed, 1700-0300 Thurs, 1700-0400 Fri, 1200-0400 Sat.
37 Wharfdale Rd N1. Tel.(0)20 7278 3294.  Kings Cross mainline and tube stations.
Entry is inexpensive - expect to pay about £2-5, but if you go before 2200, you will usually get in free.
Central Station generally opens in the evening as a normal gay bar, but after the nightly drag act finishes (at around 2330), the basement opens up for other map of Kings Cross - location of Central Station bar/clubdelights. Monday is dress code (leather / rubber / uniform). On other nights there is a disco downstairs - together with some darker recesses which get very cruisy (say after 2400 onwards). This is not one of those massive clubs  which you find in the centre of London - but it is smaller and very friendly. Expect a crowd of regulars, mostly  aged 25-45 (older on the dresscode night).  Central Station also advertises certain Sunday afternoons as Gummi (rubber) and others as Shoot! (dresscode sportswear and trainers), but I suggest you phone for details or look in the gay papers which are free in most bars. There are other 'special' events, but these are not advertised - if you are interested, I suggest you go on a 'normal' night and ask the staff, or the other customers for details. Top

Fist:
Operates for one night (usually Sat 2200 until 0600) every 3 or 4 weeks - see adverts in the Gay papers (free in most gay bars).
Currently happens at 'Imperial Gardens' (under the railway arches), Camberwell New Rd. Oval tube. Entry is £10.
Fist is one of those clubs which take over a venue every so often - every 3-4 weeks in this case. This club attracts a packed, shirts-off, tits-out crowd of men and women, mostly between 25 and 40 (not many people over 45). Harnesses and all sorts of leather and rubber gear abound (beware: the dress code is particularly strict at this club - you may not be let in wearing jeans). There is a dancefloor, a second big space with a big screen showing porno movies, and a gallery where people congregate to practice their interpersonal skills. The atmosphere is very good. On the downside, it is a bugger to get to (a long walk South from Oval Tube), some of the door staff can be EXTREMELY rude, and the prices are high. Older (45+) males in search of a hard leather scene,  tend to go more to the dance-free places like the Block and the Hoist (see reviews on this page).

If you do decide to give it a try, get off the Underground at Oval tube - from there walk South-East down Camberwell New Road for just under 1 mile. When you hit an overhead railway bridge, turn left up the alley way on the left (up the side of the railway) - Fist is 50 meters up under one of the railway arches.  Top

The Fort:
Nightly 2000-2300. Also 1400-1900 Sat and Sun. (See box for directions.)
131 Grange Road, SE1. Tel (0)20 7237 7742. Elephant and Castle tube station + bus - or just take a taxi!
Entry is £2 for Underwear and 'Boots Only' events, otherwise free.
'The bar no one admits they visit' is how the Fort bills itself. Expect lots of lusty men (25-65 age range) every night of the week, and weekend afternoons. Tuesday, Friday and Sunday are regular nights (no dress code) and starts to fill up at around 9.30 pm. Wednesday is leather/rubber/uniform night. Saturday night is billed as 'Blackout'.  Thursday nights and Sunday afternoon are underwear events - so remember to wear some - on arrival you will be given a sack to put your kit for deposit behind the bar (remember to keep some cash for drinks down your sock). Monday evenings, and Saturday afternoons, and are unbelievable, and are billed as 'Boots Only' (despite the title, any footwear is OK) - on these occasions, gentile formalities are discarded and your underwear is also deposited along with your clothes. All sizes and shapes come along so don't be shy - you will be sure to have a great time with this friendly crowd. Finally, on the clothes-off events, expect to ring the bell to gain entry - or so I am told...... sxyq Top

 
  Getting to the Fort:
The one drawback with the Fort is getting to it - but it really isn't that difficult (about 30 minutes from Central London) if you know how..... Take the Bakerloo line tube south to Elephant and Castle station. On alighting, you will find two exits at the end of the platform at the front of the train. Take the one marked 'South Bank University' - this is crucial or you will get hopelessly lost. This leads you to lifts which take you to the surface. Once through the ticket barriers, leave the station and you will see some bus stops on the pavement (30 metres to your right). Take the number 1 bus (every 10 minutes) - it takes about 7 bus stops, and it will drop you directly outside the entrance door of the Fort. Note: at the stop before the Fort you will see a small park on the left, and at the final stop you will see the Fort, also on the left,  with the name clearly marked on the front of the building. Getting back is easier - there is a bus stop opposite on the other side of the road, and the busses run to Elephant and Castle tube, Waterloo station, or Tower Hill tube - ask the driver if you are unsure.

"Indiscretion is the better part of valour."
     -Oscar Wilde
The Hoist:
2200-0200 Wed, 2200-0300 Fri and Sat, 0900-0100 Sun. Vauxhall map
Railway arch 47c, South Lambeth Rd, SW8. Tel (0)20 7735 9972. Vauxhall tube.
Entry is around £5 on all nights including SM Gays - see below.
This is a raunchy men-only dresscode bar with good air conditioning and lovely clean toilets. You will need to wear some leather/rubber/uniform to get in as the dresscode is strictly enforced (you can change in the toilets if you want). You won't get in if you wear trainers. On Friday or Saturday it  gets packed from 11pm onwards when the pubs close, although it will not hot up until after midnight. Of course, it all happens much earlier on Sunday and Wednesday when people have to work the next day. Expect a good assortment of men mostly between 30 and 65, all out for a good time. To get there, take exit 1 (signposted British Rail) out of Vauxhall tube station, walk through the pedestrian tunnel under the railway and turn right. You will find the entrance 40 metres on the right - the club is under one of the railway arches. When you leave, turn right to find a minicab firm a couple of doors away, or ask the door staff to order you a black cab - Vauxhall is one of the rougher areas of London, and is probably best not to go wandering the streets in all your gay gear!   Top
  SM Gays at the Hoist:
On the third Thursday of the month, the SM Gay group meet at the Hoist between 2000 and 2400 for an evening of education and entertainment. Anyone can go - just turn up. You might think this would be rather heavy, but it is actually one of the friendliest nights out. When you arrive, someone sticks a label on you with your first name, and that seems to get everyone talking and chatting to each other. Also, there is usually a theme with various educational demonstrations (promoting safe, legal and responsible SM activity) - these go on continually, and often include audience participation for the intrepid. But if you wish, you can just move around and enjoy the spectacle - which can be hilarious. You should, however, be aware that some forms of SM sex are illegal in the UK, although education and theatre are better descriptors of this event. No dresscode whatsoever so come in a suit, fetish gear or ball gown as you wish.

Want a restaurant which serves CP with the food? - check out 'School Dinners' under Where to Eat!
'Loose' at the Candy Bar:
2030-0100 every Tuesday'
30 Dean St, Soho, W1. Soho map.
Entry for members is £6 before 2200, and £8 thereafter. Non members are charged £8/£10. 'Loose membership cards' available for £5 - 10 visits gives you 1 free entry.
This bills itself as Soho's only weekly girly strip night for women only. As a gay man I haven't been (!) but apparently it has full nude professional pole dancers.    Top


Ted's Place:
1900-2300+ Mon-Fri and last Sun of the month. Earls Court Map
305a North End Rd, W14. Tel 020 7385 9359 West Brompton tube (nearest), or Earls Court tube (more trains and tube lines).
Free entry before 2100, else around £2 (£5 on TV/TS nights).
This is a small and comfortable downstairs bar in Earls Court, ten minutes walk from the Colehern bar and Bromptons. It has the friendliest staff anywhere, and is popular with regulars who go to the gay nights - which are called 'Seed' (Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri). On these occasions there are gay videos on TV screens, and lots of lusty men hanging around the darker recesses - most customers are 25-45, although some older gays do also go. It gets busy from just before 2100, as people arrive to avoid the entry charge and to get in a round of cheap drinks (double spirits for the price of one before 2100). The last Sunday of the month is 'Leathers' (dresscode leather, rubber, uniform - expect a slightly older crowd 4pm-11pm). Thursdays are entirely different, catering for TV's and their admirers, and featuring a disco or possibly Karaoke - but there should still be a fair number of regular gays  to keep you company if you have forgotten to pack your cocktail dress.  Coatcheck. Top
  Finding Ted's:
The entrance to Ted's can be a little tricky to find, particularly because it is not marked as 'Teds' (this venue is very select!). So here are failsafe directions: from the Colehern bar, walk down Old Brompton Road until you get to North End Road (see Earls Court map). Turn right, and Ted's is in a recessed doorway on the right hand side, about 30 yards from the junction. Your only clue will be a big sign in the window saying 'Club305a'. You will have to ring the bell - just shout the magic word 'hello' when someone answers on the intercom, and you will be let in.

You are advised to read the disclaimer which applies to all pages on this website.

 

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1