London’s gayest neighborhood is still a hot spot for queer international club queens
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| LONDON CALLING: Candy Bar is one of Soho’s top lesbian nightspots. |
It may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but there’s no denying that London makes for an enchanting and exciting big-city destination. The London neighborhood that most interests GLBT visitors, Soho, is a colorful, slightly risque district that abounds with festive gay bars, hip restaurants and some of the best people-watching in Great Britain. Here are some highlights.
Dining. The Soho branch of the popular London franchise Patisserie Valerie is a good bet for cafe food. For a more substantial meal, Balans is a classic choice for dinner — it’s in the very center of Soho’s gay bar action.
First Out café opened in 1986 and has enjoyed a phenomenal lesbian and gay following ever since — it’s a great little community hub. A cheery little bar in the basement is popular with after-work types for wines by the glass, imported beers and designer cocktails.
Clubbing. Heaven, one of Europe’s definitive gay discos, is a wild show that keeps busy until 5 a.m. Ku Bar is fun and stylish, catering to a stand-and-model under-30s set, while G-A-Y Bar is Soho’s premier see-and-be-seen hangout — lesbians tend toward the intimate basement lounge, while the other three floors draw a mix of women and men.
Candy Bar is Soho’s most inspired lesbian hangout, offering up a good mix of music, drinks and entertainment, including strippers. On Wardour Street, stop by the Duke of Wellington pub to check out the multi-generational, mixed-gender bunch of revelers. Edge is a distinctively decorated four-story club overlooking Soho Square.
Bears and dressed-down types (mostly 35 and older) pack into Comptons of Soho. Across the street, the Admiral Duncan has been a fixture in Soho for years, and it remains a friendly, attitude-free place to mix with locals of all ages.
Other Soho gay bars of note include Barcode, with its busy downstairs dance floor and a cruisy male crowd; and Village Soho, a hip and energetic spot known for its buff go-go boys.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 16, 2009.