Gay club in soho london
G-A-Y Bar goes on sale as Soho 'loses vibrancy'
One of central London's main LGBTQ+ bars has gone on sale with its owner saying Soho has "lost its vibrancy".
G-A-Y Bar owner Jeremy Joseph said he had had to make the "tough decision" after his other venue, Heaven nightclub, was temporarily closed belated last year after a member of security staff allegedly raped a woman.
He criticised Westminster Urban area Council and the Met Police as well as local residents' groups as being too resistant to measures, such as late licences, which he said would benefit the nightlife industry.
A council spokesperson said they were proud supporters of LGBT+ businesses and the wider community in Soho and Westminster, while the Met said it understood the "complexities" that night-time venues face.
"This isn't an easy choice. To me it is more than just a exclude, it's also my home - I've lived above it for over 15 years," Mr Joseph said in a statement.
He added the closure of Heaven while its licence was under
The Best Gay Bars In Soho
Soho has some of the best gay bars in London and is the UK’s biggest gaybourhood. It’s right in the heart of London, nestled between Mayfair and Covent Garden. In the centre of Soho, you’ll detect Soho Square: a superb place to sit and have a drink in the summer. Soho Square was founded in to mark the restoration of the monarchy. A statue of Charles II still stands in the square. Today it's a playground for London's LGBTQ+ community.
Surrounding Soho Square you’ll discover many of London's most famous gay bars. This part of the capital has long been a haven for gay people and bohemians. By the post-war era, it was packed with brothels, underground drinking dens, cruising areas and gay bars. Soho was a byword for sin. Bars like the Colony Room became legendary.
When the Colony closed its doors in , it marked the end of an era. A fresh Soho was emerging. Richer, less bohemian but still very gay. The Soho of today may be less rowdy, but it still retains its anarchic spirit. It’s the place to go if you want to party in central London. You should start b
Ku Bar
Ku Bar (Lisle Street) | LGBT Bar
After a spell in Ibiza during the 80s, Ku Bar’s owner, Gary Henshaw, was inspired by the now defunct Ku Club. Taking the name from the iconic Balearic nightspot (infamous for hosting Bacchanalian parties), he hoped to sprinkle some of the same Ibiza fairy dust on London.
Ku Bar has now worked its magic on Soho for over twenty years and it’s still going strong. One of the first gay bars in the area, it was a beacon for the LGBT community.
After moving from Charing Cross Road to its current Lisle Street locale in , it still retains its blissfully attitude-free, inclusive and welcoming spirit. One of Pride in London’s sponsors, each year Ku Bar pump up the action and observe in style, with the party spilling out onto Chinatown’s streets.
Open seven days a week from midday to midnight, Ku Exclude is a destination hotspot for fun-seeking regulars, locals and tourists looking to throw some nuts shapes to the latest pop smashes.
Bedecked in black and pale humbug stripes and cheery rainbow flags, Ku Bar has a relaxed day vibe. But, after dark,
For hundreds of years, Soho has been a haven for gay Londoners, complete of packed pubs and late night drinking dens even before the decriminalisation of homosexuality. In these enlightened times, LGBTQ+ city dwellers have got a plethora of options all across the city. But queer old Soho still holds a special place in London's LGBTQ scene and remains most visitors' first port of call, whether for drag nights or mingling. It's centred around Old Compton Street, where you can spend a raucous night at the enduringly popular G-A-Y bar or down unpretentious drinks at pubs like The Admiral Duncan. Here's our pick of the best gay bars and clubs in Soho.
RECOMMENDED: Undertaking further afield with London's best gay bars and gay clubs.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Utilize and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
🙌
Awesome, you're subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox s