Heaven

Part nightclub, part concert venue, Heaven has been going strong for more than 40 years, which is a simply astounding length of time in the ever-shifting cultural landscape. It's even more impressive considering it was established as a pioneering gay club on a global scale and consequently had to weather various moral outrages during its four decades of existence.

Such longevity and determination mean Heaven also didn't just witness history, it helped steer its course as well. Along with its undisputed renown as one of the most famous gay clubs in the world, its resident DJs such as Paul Oakenfold established it as the place to be on Mondays and Thursdays during the peak years of the UK's notorious rave culture scene and gave birth to the ambient house genre. Meanwhile, legendary live gigs by bands such as New Order, The Birthday Party and Throbbing Gristle are still spoken about decades later.

Today, Heaven continues its tradition of fun-filled parties and acclaimed live gigs beneath Charing Cross station, running its famed G-A-Y nights on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Popcorn on Mondays. Expect anything from spectacular drag shows and choreographed dancers to wild pop/RnB/house extravaganzas. And don't forget to check the gig listings either, as anyone from Madonna and Lady Gaga to Tame Impala and Franz Ferdinand might be performing there on any given night.