Whether you're in Amsterdam or London, you're bound to have a great time at the gay district of the city.
The program includes late-night partying, socializing and guaranteed relaxation.
London's gay district: article summary
London's gay quarter: what's its history?
By the 1720s, the streets of London were no stranger to gay bars. In fact, by the late 1700s, there were more gay and lesbian bars in London than in the 1950s, and numerous accounts of prominent men living openly as homosexuals.
However, testimonials from LGBT people go back centuries before the first gay bars arrived in the 18th century.
London's growing gay district over the centuries
According to many historians, there are accounts dating back to the arrival of the Romans in England. In the early 20th century, the town was home to a number of queer spaces, including Admiral Duncan's, a gay pub, and the Gateways Club, a lesbian club open from 1936 to 1985.
In the 1970s, London was a popular destination for LGBT people. Travel and the city have become much more open in terms of diverse identities. In 2014, England legalized marriage between same-sex couples.
Adventure in Soho
One of London's best-known gay neighborhoods is located in London's West End. Soho became a gay mecca in the 1990s, when gay shopkeepers began transforming the empty storefronts of Old Compton Street into pubs, bars and gay-friendly spaces.
Today, the district is still bustling with activity. From bars and cafés to boutiques and unusual museums, you'll always find something to do.
Soho is home to the London LGBT tourismwhere you can go to get all the information you need.
The LGBT Tourist Office was opened in 2009 with the aim of providing information on the city's best LGBT venues, activities and events.
Visit the famous GAY Bar
GAY Bar is a popular spot with young people. When you visit, you'll find cheap drinks and three floors of music and entertainment.
In addition, the women's room on the first floor is a hit with the queer female crowd.
When the club closes, don't worry, GAY Late will keep the party going until the wee hours of the morning.
London's gay district: Soho's Yard
Soho's Yard is a popular spot among many Londoners and queer visitors. Although the crowd tends to be a little older than a place like GAY Bar, Yard welcomes anyone looking for the best parties in town.
The courtyard and loft-style building give it unique spaces with lots to do, and the courtyard space becomes popular during the warmer spring and summer months.
Yard has a smoking balcony, but you can't smoke on the dance floor or indoors.
Discover LGBT culture in the Vauxhall district
The area just south of the Thames is another popular spot, home to some of the city's best LGBT bars and clubs.
Vauxhall's queer history goes back centuries, with the opening of the Vauxhall pleasure gardens in the 17th century.
Over the years, Vauxhall has become London's go-to destination for drag shows.
The streets of this district are full of activity, both during the day and after sunset.
Have a drink at the Eagle London
Discover Eagle London, one of the city's other top clubs. The Vauxhall staple is popular with young people, but Eagle is open to everyone.
Summer welcomes the club's private outdoor café and summer barbecue evenings. The Horse Meat Disco is another popular event every Sunday evening.
London's gay district: Vauxhall's Fire Club
For bigger parties, head to Vauxhall's Fire Club, a three-storey mega-club in the heart of the Vauxhall district.
The club plays a mix of music from house to all the classics. The patio features a food stand you can visit, and the bar offers a wide choice of drinks to take away.
Evenings out in Shoreditch
London's trendy Shoreditch district is becoming one of the city's fastest-growing gay havens.
Filled with unique things to do and cheaper options than some of London's older gay neighborhoods, Shoreditch is perfect for the young queer traveler looking to get out of Soho or Vauxhall.
See you at the Sunday market in Brick Lane to find the best street food from the four corners of the world, admire the works of art in the Whitechapel gallery or admire the colors and bouquets of the Columbia Road flower market.
London's Gay Quarter: not-to-be-missed events
London's Pride is an all-volunteer event held every July. It is made up of various events, including:
- A talent contest: Pride's Got Talent
- A festival of pride
- The final pride parade
Pride's Got Talent actually starts months in advance, giving LGBTQ people from across England a chance to compete for a place on London Pride's main stages.
During the festival, you can expect :
- Film screenings
- Theatrical performances
- Shows
- Museum events
- Workshops
- Conferences
Discover the BFI Flare
The London LGBT Film Festival, held every spring, is Europe's largest LGBT film festival.
Since 1986, the 10-day London LGBT Film Festival has featured work by or about queer artists, in order to bring the community together and celebrate homosexuality in the media.
Every March, the week-long festival allows the public to attend screenings and even meet the filmmakers.
London's gay district is packed with activities. If you're looking for a good time, come and visit, I advise you to visit these colorful places.
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