8 best queer bars and clubs in London
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Summer is here and we're in the mood for a good old-fashioned party. Say what you like about London (yes, it's expensive, yes, it's polluted, yes, it's hot on the underground) but no one does queer nightlife quite like the capital.
After all, London's queer nightlife scene goes back over a hundred years. The Cave of the Golden Calf, which opened in 1912 in London's Heddon Street, is widely thought to be our first gay nightclub. Fast forward a few decades and queer nightlife culture exploded in London, finding its home in Soho and Vauxhall. The iconic Heaven opened its doors in ‘70s. Trade, The Village, G-A-Y, and many others came along in the ’90s.
Sadly, a number of queer bars and clubs closed in the 2010s — in fact, 60% of London’s LGBTQ+ spaces reportedly shut their doors between 2011 and 2021. London is still home to some of the most beloved, iconic queer clubs in the world — and it's still constantly welcoming new LGBTQIA hotspots to the scene. There's never been a better time to support queer spaces.
As Nadine Noor, co-founder of London's Pussy Palace, recently told us, “There’s still so much stigma and discrimination all over the world in varying degrees – right now, we’re seeing this snapback to conservatism and fascism. We still need spaces to come together, to converse, to dance, to build ideas.”
If you're on the hunt for a safe, welcoming place to let loose, these are some of the city's very best queer bars and clubs to add to your going out out list.
For GLAMOUR's Beauty of Pride series, the DJ and Pxssy Palace co-founder talks queer nightlife and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people.
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La Camionera is the latest addition to London's lesbian bar scene. It all began when the bar launched a very mysterious Instagram page earlier this year. It turns out, the mysterious new bar would open up in the basement of Off Broadway, London's NYC-inspired jazz bar in East London.
At La Camionera, you'll find a super chic, super chill bar space where queer women can hang out, meet each other, and go on dates. As the shadowy anonymous founder told The Standard, it's the spot to find “strong, cheap drinks, louche interiors, anchovies, Smoke City, Sade, candles, white tablecloths.”
When? Monday to Tuesday, 4pm to midnight; Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to midnight
Where? 243 Well Street, Hackney London, England E9 6RG
Southeast London's vibey Old Nun's Head is a queer pub that is all about the fun. Come for the banging playlist filled with Madonna, Cher, the Spice Girls, and prepare for what looks like a normal pub to transform into a colourful, wild party by the end of the night. Get ready to dance on the tables and belt out some timeless classics at the top of your lungs.
When? Monday to Thursday, 12pm to midnight; Friday to Saturday, 12pm to 1am; Sunday, 12pm to 11pm
Where? 15 Nunhead Grn, London SE15 3QQ
The Pxssy Palace is all about fun. The female-run club night is a place to dance like no one's watching and dress to the nines — all while feeling safe and un-judged. It aims to offer a safe and inclusive experience for black, indigenous, and people of colour who are women, queer, intersex, trans or non-binary.
And, as its founder told us, the club's work goes beyond queer clubbing culture. “[It's] where we’re kept safe, under darkness. It’s a shame in a way because we weren’t afforded safety in the daytime which still exists today – even though a lot of work has been done to change that. A lot of the work we’re doing with Pxssy Palace is trying to find ways to make people feel safe and celebrated during the day, but the night is where it all began and where our history and legacy is.”
When? Specific clubnights
Where? Different locations
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Hackney's Goldie Saloon is a café by day and a bar by night. Come to cowork or read a book during the day with a coffee, stay for a cocktail or a glass of natural wine in the evening. Upstairs, take a peek at the private galleries. You'll also find some fun theme nights here, such as the recent ‘Julia Fox hour’ or the a pirate-themed night, ‘Scissor Me Timbers’.
When? Wednestday to Saturday, 4pm to 11pm
Where? 10 Andre Street, Hackney, London, E8 2AA
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Freedom Soho is iconic for a reason. This late night club and bar has everything you could want from a queer party place — good cocktails, good tunes and good vibes. There are plenty of events to look out for at Freedom — drag cabarets, karaoke sessions, disco parties and more. Freedom is always a serious party, every night of the week.
When? Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 3am; Sunday, 4pm to 10:30pm
Where? 60-66 Wardour St, London W1F 0TA
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East London's number one party venue, Dalston Superstore is all about the music, the dancing and the fun. A night out at Dalston Superstore is always unforgettable — and you can even find your way back to the venue in the morning for their iconic Drag Brunch.
When? Monday, 5pm to 12am; Tuesday, 4pm to 12am; Wednesday, 4pm to 2am; Thursday, 4pm to 2:30am; Friday, 4pm to 4am; Saturday, 12pm to 4am; Sunday, 12pm to 1am
Where? 117 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2PB
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Heaven has been a staple of Soho's queer scene for decades — since 1979 to be precise. And for a good reason. DJ nights, theme nights, drag nights, cabaret nights, gigs — it has it all. The iconic hub is situated under the arches near Charing Cross Station, Heaven has a dark, otherworldly, neon feel that is completely unique. Nothing is quite like Heaven — and once you've experienced a night at the famous club, you'll probably be planning your next trip.
When? Monday 11pm-5am; Tuesday to Wednesday; closed, Thursday to Saturday, 11pm to 5am; Sunday, closed
Where? Under The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NG
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If you're after a destination in central London that has a little bit of everything, The Yard might just hit the spot. The Yard has a big, pretty, fairylit outdoor courtyard perfect for warm summer evenings. It has a vibey downstairs bar that often transforms into an impromptu dance floor. It has a more intimate upstairs bar with plenty of cosy corners where you can tuck yourself away. It has private VIP areas for those looking for even more privacy. It even has an upstairs balcony for those seeking a little fresh air as the evening goes on.
When? Monday to Thursday, 11:30am to 11:30pm; Friday to Saturday, 1pm to 12am; Sunday, 2pm to 10:30pm
Where? 57 Rupert St, London W1D 7P
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