As part of my Google Connect Application I created a list on Maps with the friendliest gay venues in London, so I thought I might share it here as well:
It often can be quite daunting to find your crowd in a new city on a night out, especially if you identify as gay and are on your own. If the dark beat pounding dance floors with beautiful but mute muscle guys is not your thing, check out this alternative list with charming venues where you feel welcome and are very likely to start a chat with locals or other visitors from out of town #LocalGuides
SOHO - CENTRAL
Comptons
51-53 Old Compton St, London W1D 6HN
Like most gay bars on Compton Street, people in Comptons are very welcoming and easy going. Free entry, no attitude. Mixed crowd. Downstairs is a louder and “pullier” atmosphere while the upstairs is more light and chilled. You can’t go wrong in this classic gay venue. If you are by the bar, you will most likely end up chatting to someone.
Freedom Bar
60-66 Wardour St, London W1F 0TA
This happy bar is a bit on the chic and upscale end of the spectrum, however the attitude of staff and visitors is nothing like it. If you are by yourself go downstairs to the club area. Sometimes there are shows on later at night or you can groove to the pop-funk tunes on the dance floor (or the pole), or just hang out by the bar. Either way people are friendly and welcoming. Be aware it is a gay venue, but it is a rather mixed crowd, which I think adds to the easy-going atmosphere. It is always happening especially at the weekends, but my personal favourite is Kinky Kabaret on a Monday night. You won’t regret it! Later at night during the weekends there will be a small entry fee and most likely a queue. During the week it is still busy, but not packed and free entry all night.
Halfway to Heaven
7 Duncannon St, London WC2N 4JF
Halfway to Heaven is a treasure close to Trafalgar Square. Rather small, but always a fun and easy-going crowd. Upstairs you can chit chat at the small bar area, while downstairs is an equally intimate but usually packed dance floor with a stage and bar. Go for the drag and cabaret performances and stay for the boogie afterwards. You will always have a laugh and get chatting to welcoming people.
VAUXHALL - SOUTH OF THE RIVER
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
372 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5HY
This iconic dance bar, cabaret joint south of the river in Vauxhall will leave you feeling happily welcome. The shows and performances are legendary and there often is interaction with the crowd. No matter if you sit in the back to enjoy the show, stand by the bar to have a drink or dance the night away on the dance floor or on the little stage, the positive vibes won’t pass you by. Bigger crowds and entry fees at the weekend as usual.
Eagle London
349 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5QY
Based in the gay quarter south of the river in Vauxhall, the Eagle London is a colourful bar and club with focus on the music and dancing. However, the oval shaped bar area is quite big so that you can always hang out there or shake a leg on the dance floor. People are in a good mood and mostly not too shy to have a chat. It is just a 2 minute walk away from the Royal Vauxhall Tavern describe above.
DALSTON/SHOREDITCH - EAST
The Glory
281 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AS
While lots of people were upset by the mass closing of various venues in the East of London, this precious little bar and club opened just a few years ago and managed to be quite popular with the queer crowd. Despite being in the East it is not too hip and alternative but attracts a friendly crowd who enjoy their drinks upstairs and dance and cabaret downstairs.
VFD Vogue Fabrics Dalston
66 Stoke Newington Rd, Hackney Downs, London N16 7XB
Admittedly, this small intimate hipster venue surely is not for everyone. You go down one floor to a tiny bar (where they sell beer cans) with a tiny dance floor. The crowd is hip and alternative, but doesn’t take itself too seriously (unlike other indie venues in the eastern quarter). Definitely check the website before going to see what is going on.
CLAPHAM - FURTHER SOUTH
Two Brewers
114 Clapham High St, London SW4 7UJ
A bit further south south (there is all night tube on Friday and Saturday so no excuses!), but definitely one of the bigger venues on this list with two bigger than average rooms both equipped with bar, dance and cabaret performances depending on the night. The front is a bit lighter and chattier, while the back is slightly darker with the focus a bit more on the dance part of the night. It is always good fun and crowd and staff are in a good mood. One of the few venues which is open late on Christmas Eve (no tube however on that night).
This list is by no means exhaustive: especially in Soho around Compton Street you find a lot of other friendly welcoming bars such as the Duke of Wellington, The Village, Admiral Duncan and the name of the bar Friendly Society I guess speaks for itself.
Enjoy! ?
