London is not only renowned as one of the top places in the UK when it comes to being an LGBTQ destination, it’s one of the hottest locations on the planet. England’s capital city has always been the spot for the LGBTQ scene, with people flocking from all over the world to visit. With bars and restaurants aplenty, we’ve picked out the most-popular gay venues that you should be checking out when you’re there.
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is an iconic award-winning cabaret venue which has seen artists such as Gabrielle, S Club, T’Pau and Bucks Fizz play there over the years. Working with the capital’s finest promotors, Royal Vauxhall Tavern always strive to deliver quality night after quality night, and as well as performances, there’s also cabaret and club events to enjoy. Plus, for those who love bingo and usually play online at mFortune, there is always the chance to enjoy the game every Monday at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern too, which always goes down a storm with guests.
Dalston Superstore
The Dalston Superstore is very much a venue which caters for everyone. As well as having a fantastic food menu and great variety where drinks are concerned, the Dalston Superstore is also a modern meeting point for members of the LGBTQ community. With
epic music played by well known DJs, both local and from further afield, guests are encouraged to put on their dancing shoes, with a good day, and night, to be had by all. With a variety of music played throughout the week, there will be sets to please everyone.
Heaven London
Heaven London is the world’s most famous gay nightclub, and a venue which has very much put London on the map as an LGBTQ hotspot. At Heaven, guests can experience some of the most amazing nights imaginable, with the likes of Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue and Madonna having performed there in the past. Heaven is arguably more famous nowadays thanks to G-A-Y Club, with Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays all about G-A-Y and the events they host. With Heaven being an iconic venue, and G-A-Y superb hosts, this is one of the best LGBTQ spots without doubt.
XXL
After being founded nearly two decades ago, XXL has quickly established itself as a high-quality members club, with in excess of 100,000 members around the world. With the motto of “one club fits all,” XXL is a party for men only, located on London’s Southbank. There are three bars, a state-of-the-art video projection and a huge dance floor, which all combine to produce a party atmosphere like no other. There’s a diverse range of sounds to be heard too, meaning there will always be music to suit everyone’s tastes, allowing guests to forget their problems and dance the night away.
Duckie
Also located in Vauxhall, Duckie has been going strong on Saturdays at the RVT for over two decades: it’s sheer brilliance hosted by Amy Lamé – who is London’s Nightlife Czar. Lamé brings on performers who run from legendary nightlife icons to hot messes: you might “see tap-dancers or a drag queen, or you could end up watching a heterosexual couple from Essex having a bust-up on stage” according to Time Out. All through the night DJ duo the Readers Wifes take the opportunities to put on a dope mix of Britpop, disco and leftfield chart hits from Bowie, Blur to Britney.
If you’re a member of the LGBTQ community, you’ll feel right at home in London, as this place is geared up to provide excellent experience after excellent experience. Bars, pubs, and clubs, London has them all, and then some, and it will take several visits to take in just a small percentage of what’s on offer.