London Gay Scene
The London gay scene is one of the largest and most vibrant in the world. Soho is the main area of concentration for the gay community with a mass of bars and clubs as well as cabaret clubs, cafes, restaurants, and even estate agents that cater specifically to the LGBT community. London is also home to one of the largest annual Pride events which, in 2010, attracted more than a million people making it the country's largest outdoor event.
There are various streets and areas around the city with gay pubs and bars found in a number of prime locations. With this said, Soho is the most popular of these locations and if you are looking for great quality gay venues then this is the area to head first and foremost. As well as areas where gay bars and clubs are concentrated there are also many pubs and clubs that play host regular gay nights and events. Such events take place all year round and the London gay community really is that, offering everything you could want from a gay city.
Gay clubs include Ku Bar which won the award as being The Best Gay Bar London and South East 2008. 79cxr offers inexpensive drinks and a friendly atmosphere while The-edge provides four floors of drinking and music that is a popular hotspot with gay visitors to the city. Balans and Shadow Lounge are gay café-bars that provide great food, friendly company, and all within the city's main gay village. There are even saunas that offer open gay fun, the likes of the Locker Room being a primary location.
If you're looking for places to stay while you're in London then you can also find a great selection of gay hotels, B&Bs, and guest houses. Stalfeges is located near the heart of London offering access to all the attractions and sights that the country's capital has to offer along with access to Soho and other gay friendly areas. You can also find gay Burlesque, drag shows, and many themed evenings throughout the city and whatever time of year you travel.
The biggest gay event that takes place in London, though, is the London Pride event. Already one of the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world, it got even bigger in 2006 when the city hosted EuroPride. London Festival Fortnight was introduced which was bigger and brighter than anything the city had ever seen before. The Fortnight Festival was reintroduced in 2009, as a means of preparing for the World Pride event set to take place in 2012 in the city centre.
The London gay scene is thriving with a huge collection of bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and other venues. There's even gay hairdressers and a selection of gay saunas. Soho is the main gay village in London but you will find gay venues and gay events scattered right across the capital, culminating in the London Pride event which, in 2012, becomes World Pride and is set to see even more attendees than ever before.