Gay Hotspots in London
moove2london on 21 Jun 2010This is a guest post from Dan at Student Discount Search who moved to London in 2004.
For me, the diversity of London’s gay scene is one of it’s biggest strengths. Whether you want to sip a latte and watch the gay world go on Old Compton Street, dance the night away with the bears at XXL or have a beer al fresco on Clapham High Street there is something for everyone.
Soho is the obvious first point of call for new gays in town. Old Compton Street, the main thoroughfare, is packed with gay cafes, bars, clubs and shops. A young, pop crowd frequent GAY bar at one end, while Comptons and Duke of Wellingtons at the other have a bit of rough-round-the-edges pub vibe.
In between there are two branches of the ever popular Balans which serve hearty food with a cosmopolitan twist, but be prepared for queues, especially at weekends.
Don’t forget that there is an Italian heritage to Soho too, with great restaurants like La Porchetta, where you can grab a cheap and delicious pizza.
Going slightly further afield is Retro Bar, which is a loveably scruffy pub nestled off the Strand where you are as likely to hear a Morrisey classic as you are the latest ditty from Pixie Lott on the juke box.
You should get to know your local borough’s homo hotspots too. Pick up a free copy of Boys or QX magazines which have all the local listings. From the Kazbah and 2 Brewers in Clapham to the Black Cap in Camden, you may well prefer to stumble home then have to cram yourself on a crowded night bus from Soho.
For sporty gays there are plenty of gay member and gay friendly sports clubs and teams. I met a lot of friends and even a boyfriend through tennis London, who meet at 5pm every Sunday at Westway. There is Stonewall FC for football, Kings Cross Steelers for rugby, badminton, water polo…there really is something for everyone, which is a lot like London itself.
Some of the places mentioned in this post, are described further in
Time Out’s Gay and Lesbian Guide .