LONDON'S BEST LGBTQ+ CLUBS, PUBS & BARS
- AG
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
The Capital's Best Queer Venues as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards
London is home to the world's most vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ+ scene, exploding from queer meccas Soho, Dalston, Vauxhall and beyond.
Whether you're after Drag Kings or Queens, Bearaoke, cabaret, burlesque, nightclub musicals, Drag Brunch, leather, pleather, the chance to see the future Drag Race winners or chilled cocktails, we are spoilt for choice.
But which are London's BEST LGBTQ+ clubs, bars and pubs? YOU have spoken and your nominations for the Time Well Spent Awards 2025 are below. The ultimate Queen of Queer venues will be crowned in August.
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The Royal Vauxhall Tavern
London’s oldest and most storied gay venue has officially been an LGBTQ+ space since the Eighties and was made a Grade II listed building, in recognition of its a huge importance in queer history.
Its cultural significance goes all the way back to post WW2, when local gay men and servicemen attended drag shows there, and Princess Diana is famously said to have disguised herself as a man to party there with Freddy Mercury and Kenny Everett.
The RVT is now a global nightlife icon and LGBT+ landmark with cabarets, clubbing and their legendary, yearly panto.
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5HY
Dalston Superstore
East London’s queer Mecca first slid open its rainbow shutters in 2009 and since then, it has exploded into a thriving cultural juggernaut.
Encompassing LGBTQ+ club, cabaret hotspot, cafe - with a legendary Drag Brunch - gallery and community space, it also proudly supports charities and organisations like Positive East and The Outside Project. Iconic.
Dalston Superstore, 117 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
The Divine
The Glory closed its doors in December 2024, making way for a shiny, new LGBTQ+ club, The Divine, in nearby Dalston.
The unholy trinity behind The Glory has distilled its ten year sparkle into the new queer bar, performance venue and nightclub, presenting their unique mix of performances from the next generation of stars, wild club nights and elite drag shows.
The Divine, 33 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 8BJ
The Crown
London’s newest LGBTQ+ hotspot is the brilliantly extra lovechild of a nightclub and futuristic pop musical.
It’s been custom-built on Tottenham Court Road to bring hit, new show, OSCAR at the Crown to life, following sold-out runs in New York and Edinburgh.
The block9-esque secret bunker reimagines the Orwellian future the musical is set in, with burnt-out tube carriages (complete with train buttons to order drinks) walls of interactive TV screens, CCTV cameras, an Insta-worthy Oscar Wilde staircase, neons, a wall of queer martyrs and legendary quotes from the playwright - the disco toilets are worth the trip, alone. And you can drink and party before, during and after the endorphin-pumping show.
The Crown, 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7PS
She Soho
Soho’s first bar designed for queer women, non-binary folks and friends has been making huge waves, with its winning combo of Drag King shows, burlesque, comedy, cocktails and quizzes.
The chic and intimate basement venue off Old Compton Street was created by award-winning gay brand Ku and is open every day except Monday, from 5pm.
She Soho, 23a Old Compton St, London W1D 5JL
The Yard, Soho
This twinkling courtyard bar is a chilled oasis away from the fizziness of Soho, for al fresco drinks in the garden, balcony or cosy loft bar.
It’s the capital’s most chilled (but buzzy) gay hangout, perfect for date nights and catch-ups, and the atmosphere cranks up over weekends, with DJs and events.
The Yard Bar, 57 Rupert St, London W1D 7PL
Kings Arms Soho
London’s premier bear bar and Soho’s oldest gay pub has been serving the queer community since 1981.
Their legendary Bearaoke has been going for nearly three decades, which - combined with their DJs, entertainment, cuddly bear welcome and traditional charm - make it the perfect honey pot for discerning bears.
Kings Arms Soho, 23 Poland St, Oxford St, London W1F 8QJ
Freedom Bar
Soho’s chic late-night LGBT+ bar recently had a fabulous face lift, with a swish cocktail bar upstairs and buzzy nightclub downstairs, with dance poles and a zillion disco balls, which hosts drag shows, DJs and entertainment, including their much-loved Kinky Kabaret.
Freedom Bar Soho, 60-66 Wardour St, London W1F 0TA
Comptons of Soho
The Grande Dame of Old Compton Street has been at the epicentre of the gay scene since 1986. A welcoming beacon through the tough times of the late 80s and 90s, it now stands proud as one of London’s most-celebrated LGBTQIA+ venues in the heart of Soho.
Comptons of Soho, 53 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 6HN
Village Soho
One of Soho’s original gay venues, the eternally youthful and flamboyant Village offers a safe and inclusive LGBTQIA+ space, whether you’re ready to relax or primed to party. Laid back and understated during the day, the Village lights up Old Compton Street when night falls, with fabulous larger-than-life DJs and sassy bar-top go-go boys.
Village Soho, 81 Wardour St, London W1D 6QD
