Gay soho

Think again, my friend.

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Thanks for subscribing! Most Londoners over 25 profess to hate it, but they’ll still end up here a few times a year, knocking back a WKD-based ‘cocktail’ and dancing to Little Mix.

Sadly, its sister venue G-A-Y Late has now closed, so support this Soho stalwart while you can.

Friendly Society benefits from the power of surprise: after entering through a bland back-alley doorway, you’re greeted at the bottom of the stairs by Soho’s most idiosyncratic drinking den. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things.

As we enter Pride Month, we list Soho’s most notable LGBTQ+-friendly bars and clubs!

The Admiral Duncan

The 30th of April marked the anniversary of the tragic London Nail bombings that occurred 25 years ago.

The best gay bars in Soho

Gay bars in Soho – About the guide

The best gay bars in Soho - Our guide to the best gay bars and clubs in Soho is updated regularly.

Downstairs is a decent-sized drinking space with more standing room than seats; upstairs is a cosier lounge bar that can be hired for private events.

For hundreds of years, Soho has been a haven for gay Londoners, full 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.

On busier nights, bar staff will open up the basement disco, which has a notorious stripper pole – any Soho regular can tell you about the time(s) they saw Denise Welch swinging around it.

📍50 Rupert St, London W1D 6DR

She Soho

She Soho is a gem within Soho’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, featuring a sophisticated bar specifically catered to lesbians and non-binary individuals. The upstairs lounge is a good place for a date or conversation, and the ground floor is a surprisingly inviting bar space.

Please let us know if you feel that we should add a queer club in Soho to our guide or if you spot any errors in our guide. The aesthetic is old-school and cosy: you could be in a country pub, except it’s crammed with gay men. Whether you fancy a laid-back drink during Happy Hour or an evening of revelry, this venue has firmly established itself as a beloved presence on Old Compton Street.

Perfect for those who enjoy deliciously crafted cocktails! But don’t let the throng of punters spilling on to the street put you off. Please reload the page and try again. The Soho community came together to pay tribute and honour the victims of the Admiral Duncan nail bombings, displaying solidarity and remembrance, with community groups and organisations from across London gathering outside Admiral Duncan, which proudly displayed Pride flags across its window facade.

@mysohotimes #MySohoTimes

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Success! Although the short cocktail menu has been the same for ever, the staff always seem perplexed when you order one (this is definitely part of the charm).

Barbie dolls hang from the ceiling, there’s a big fishbowl in the middle, and old movies are projected on to a back wall. She Soho is recognised for its commitment to providing a welcoming space for women within the LGBTQ+ community, fostering meaningful connections and memorable experiences.

📍23a Old Compton St, London W1D 5JL

The Duke of Wellington

The historic pub epitomises traditional Victorian elegance.

If you fancy dancing to Donna Summer while sipping (relatively) inexpensive prosecco, this place is an essential pitstop. Be sure to get a wristband for discounted entry to your next destination, Heaven in Embankment!

📍 30 Old Compton St, London W1D 4UR

The Friendly Society

Think funky decorations, cool disco balls, and pre-loved Barbie dolls that have certainly had their share of fun nights out!

Stumble across Soho’s very own Garden of Eden on your next visit into town!

📍57 Rupert St, London W1D 7PL

Save the date: 29th June for Pride in London celebrations! If the jukebox isn’t blasting out ’80s and ’90s hits, popular Soho drag queens like Wilma Ballsdrop will probably be on crooning duty instead.

If your idea of gay life was shaped by ’90s TV show ‘Queer as Folk’, then Rupert Street is probably the bar for you.