The best gay nightlife in London

A pioneering gay club on a global scale, Heaven has been going strong for more than 40 years and was established as London’s answer to Studio 54. Today, its famed G-A-Y nights on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Popcorn on Mondays might involve anything from spectacular drag shows to pop/RnB/house extravaganzas. The concert side of the programme regularly features well-known acts as well – even Madonna and Lady Gaga have performed here, to name just a couple.

The multifaceted Dalston Superstore is a vibrant community hub that puts on art exhibitions, club nights with established DJs such as The Blessed Madonna, live gigs, cult drag brunches, cabaret shows and more. They champion charitable causes, regularly supporting LGBTQ+ organisations, and they also have a dine-in and takeaway kitchen that hosts different residents.

Soho's G-A-Y Bar is a vibrant offshoot of the legendary G-A-Y brand that resides at the famed Heaven club. The LGBTQ+ party spot on Old Compton Street is open daily from noon to midnight, blasting energetic pop tunes across three floors, covered in plasma screens. G-A-Y Bar also organises various themed nights and is the right place to get your pre-drinks on.

A landmark of London’s gay nightlife since the 1980s, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern was awarded Grade II listed status due to its historic significance for the LGBTQ+ community. These days, it regularly hosts cabaret shows, concerts, panto, dance performances, stand-up, fetish events, musicals and more. On weekends, it stays open until the early morning hours for its legendary club nights.

“A hub of queer London with the very best in music, performance and mayhem”, as it describes itself, Dalston's basement venue VFD is a space that works towards achieving social change through transgressive art and wild dancing. The regular club nights go late, and there are also spoken word and life drawing evenings, drag shows, cabaret and more. Don't forget to check out the massive penis mural in the toilets.

A modern venue that admits only queer women, non-binary people and their guests, She Soho is situated on Old Compton Street. It serves as a community hotspot and puts on after-hours club five days a week. Its vaulted basement bar is equipped with a thumping sound system and brilliant lighting. She Soho also hosts other events, such as drag king cabaret, burlesque and social gatherings.

One of the biggest and most popular LGBTQ+ clubs in London, Ku Bar next to Leicester Square is spread out across three floors. It has a champagne bar and the music policy revolves around chart-toppers, pop hits and guaranteed floor fillers, so you’ll be dancing the night away in no time. The venue’s late-night basement club, simply named Klub, is open until the early morning. Ku Bar’s sibling cocktail bar Ku Lounge is right next door, while the traditional Little Ku pre-drinking spot is only a few minutes away.

Circa Soho is stylish LGBTQ+ bar with leather banquette seating, polished wood flooring and exposed brick walls (note: that’s not a euphemism for the very handsome staff). The bar next to Soho Square is open every day, regularly hosting DJ nights with a broad music policy, from deep house to RnB and chart hits. Sundays are reserved for bottomless drag brunch.

Hackney’s Queen Adelaide is an LGBTQ-friendly pub with snug basement booths, a plethora of ramshackle furnishings and knickknacks, and a serious devotion to partying. On weekends, the dancing doesn’t stop until late into the night. The whole place has an easy-going, welcoming vibe, and lively atmosphere is helped along with disco, funk or house DJ nights.

Comptons has been at the epicentre of London’s gay scene for decades. One of the city’s oldest gay bars, the long-standing Soho fixture has always been a lively spot for a drink or two. It encompasses a ground-floor pub with wood panelling, an upstairs lounge and an outdoor area on the pavement. On weekends, DJs stop by to fling pop hits and mashups at the crowd and get the night started right.

Eagle London is an independent gay club in Vauxhall that has seen a lot through the years. Currently, it’s styled after New York’s Meatpacking District and guarantees wild nights out with various DJs on call to keep the dance floor heaving. The club is also where Horse Meat Disco, a collective now globally considered at the forefront of the disco revival, began working its musical magic.

The refined LGBTQ+ bar and club Freedom is located in the heart of Soho and features opulent furnishings such as plush booth seating and elegant chandeliers. West End performers often drop by, and Freedom’s signature cocktails such as the Sophia Loren or the Joan Crawford add to the theatrical vibe. There’s a state-of-the-art sound system and a pair of dancefloor poles to keep you twirling in the basement club all night.

The White Swan has a long-standing reputation as one of London’s liveliest gay spots, with over 30 years of party nights in the bag already. DJs in its neon-lit Funky Basement Club play dance and club hits through a top-notch sound system until the early morning hours. With different theme nights and live acts, you can be sure there’s always something going on here.

A respected hotbed of cutting-edge electronic music, Fold has its predominantly queer crowds dancing the night away to the freshest techno and electro sounds. The community-driven performance venue brings respected artists and weekend-long sets to East London.

Across its three floors, Electrowerkz in Islington regularly hosts LGBT-friendly club nights and events. The iconic warehouse venue also different club and live music events covering all sorts of genres, from techno to death metal, as well as the famed Slimelight goth parties.

The vibrant Colours is an inclusive multi-arts space in Hoxton Square that puts on a stacked array of fun events beneath its striking LED ceiling installation. Come here for intimate live gigs from artists such as Rebecca Black, Bree Runway and Sóley, as well as club nights such as the popular Pxssy Palace. The bar serves cocktails and pizzas, and there’s a riotous bottomless brunch with burgers, disco music and drag performers every Saturday.

One of Soho's top gay pubs, Admiral Duncan has a colourful blue exterior, with rainbow flags waving above. Walk inside this iconic establishment and you'll be greeted with a cosy and friendly atmosphere. The venue regularly hosts drag cabaret shows and karaoke nights, and you can even get a free birthday drink.

Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, an iconic East London nightclub, has a rich history. The basement venue frequently features diverse shows and performances, such as drag shows, cabaret, sex-positive events, and more. The venue takes pride in its inclusive environment and commitment to providing a safe space for all. It's even served as the backdrop for an album cover by legendary queer icon Kylie Minogue.

Fire in Vauxhall is a premier gay nightclub in London, known for hosting house, techno, and bass events that last all night long. Equipped with LED lighting and high-quality sound systems, the venue's multiple rooms, outdoor terrace, and bars can accommodate up to 2000 people. Conveniently located under the iconic railway arches, it's a vibrant spot that draws a diverse, inclusive crowd.

Two Brewers has been a staple in the city's LGBTQIA+ community for over 40 years. As a legendary drag cabaret venue, it frequently showcases some of London's most celebrated drag queens, offering glittering cabaret shows every day of the year. From lip-sync battles and campy quizzes to karaoke nights and "Drag Race" viewing parties, the programme is varied and entertaining. On weekends, the club atmosphere extends well into the night.

The Duke of Wellington, a vibrant Soho pub, has been a staple in the LGBTQIA+ community for many years, and is known for its warm and inviting atmosphere. The venue hosts a wide range of events, such as bingo nights, pub quizzes, and DJ sets that are sure to get you moving. The bar offers a broad selection, from draft beer to enticing cocktails, prosecco, and wine.

Halfway to Heaven is a lively bar and cabaret venue that consistently offers a packed schedule of exciting events. For over three decades, it has been a hub for London's LGBTQIA+ community. The venue features regular cabaret and drag shows, karaoke nights, quizzes, music, comedy, and more. Its boisterous and vibrant atmosphere also makes it an excellent spot for celebrating birthdays or other such occasions.

The Glove That Fits in Hackney hides a compact clubbing area beneath its upstairs bar, hosting cutting-edge electronic and contemporary music artists - it comes from the Fold team, so you know their credentials are on point. A favourite among music connoisseurs in the know, this snug space is an inclusive venue that welcomes all.

Head over to East London for an energetic evening of karaoke and cabaret at The Karaoke Hole, a Dalston Superstore spin-off. This glitzy, glamorous basement venue offers karaoke and drag entertainment hosted by fabulous and flamboyant hosts. Themed events are also on the calendar, so pick up a cocktail and dive into the interactive fun at this lively spot.