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Once known for its super-cruisy darkroom, this Vauxhall bar was freshened up (and cleaned up) a few years ago. The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is a legendary night out © NIKLAS HALLE'N / Stringer / Getty Images South London LGBT+ bars Eagle London Expect a cool, gender-fluid crowd, a healthy sense of kitsch, and weekend discos in the basement that get sweatier and sweatier as the night goes on. The Queen AdelaideĪ brisk 20-minute walk from The Glory, this pub-club in Cambridge Heath offers the quintessential queer east London experience. The main bar is a cute spot for an early evening drink, and both the upstairs and downstairs spaces host a dazzling array of alternative drag shows. Though it only flung open its doors four years ago, this LGBT+ pub, performance space and dancing spot in Haggerston, near Shoreditch, already feels like the beating heart of east London’s queer community. Wherever you sit on the LGBT+ spectrum, you should feel right at home at the place locals simply call Superstore. Located on the main drag in uber-cool Dalston, this versatile two-floor venue hosts everything from hilarious weekend drag brunches to trendy electronica-based club nights. The Glory is right at the heart of the East London LGBT+ scene © The Glory East London LGBT+ bars Dalston Superstore Guys are welcome, but only if they’re with a group of female friends. It stays open until 3am on weekends, and on weeknights there are regular karaoke and jukebox request nights, as well as drag king showcases. She BarĬentral London’s only dedicated lesbian venue is housed in a smart and stylish basement accessed from Old Compton Street. The upstairs lounge bar is a bit less characterful, but opens onto Soho’s best smoking area, so The Yard is a strong option whatever the weather. This Soho bar’s main draw is its al fresco courtyard, which fills up pretty quickly on fine days. You might also like this: The 11 best vegan-friendly restaurants in London The Yard Bar The walls are filled with pictures of queer icons including David Bowie and Beth Ditto, and the well-stocked jukebox keeps the alternative pop bangers coming until closing time at 11pm. Tucked away down an alley off The Strand, this cosy two-floor bar is a bit of a hidden gem. It calls itself "your unconventional neighbourhood pub", and lives up to this billing with high-quality drinks and a super-inclusive atmosphere that's proving popular with folks from all sections of the LGBT+ community. Located in Farringdon, midway between Soho and trendy Shoreditch, The Apple Tree is one of London's newest LGBT+ venues. Having fun outside The Apple Tree © The Apple Tree The Apple Tree When this Old Compton Street bar closes at midnight, simply walk round the corner to G-A-Y Late in Goslett Yard, where the party keeps going until 3am. You might also like this: London’s best drag brunches G-A-Y Barīright, brash and brimming with younger LGBT+ folks, G-A-Y is the place to go for cheap drinks, unapologetic pop music and an unpretentious good time. The drinks aren’t the cheapest on the scene, but Instagram-friendly surroundings and a soundtrack of glorious disco music make up for it. Probably Soho’s quirkiest queer spot, this fab basement bar has Ken and Barbie dolls hanging from the ceiling and snug seating areas that are great for dates. If you don’t fancy jostling for space in the main bar, head upstairs for a more sedate experience in the surprisingly classy lounge – it even has a chandelier. This Soho stalwart tends to attract a slightly older crowd of gay guys and has a reputation for being cruisy. In June 2018, after a major fundraising campaign, Above The Stag Theatre moved to a new premises on Albert Embankment.Comptons of Soho © douglasmack / Shutterstock Central London LGBT+ bars Comptons of Soho Following an 18-month search for a new home, the company moved to a renovated railway arch in Vauxhall, where it showed over 30 productions. From late 2008 to early 2012 its home was above The Stag, a gay pub in Victoria, London, which has since been demolished. The space comprises a 100-seat main house, a 70-seat cabaret lounge and a bar.Ībove The Stag Theatre was founded in 2008 by Peter Bull. It is the only producing venue in the UK presenting a year-round programme of LGBT-interest theatre.