London, hold the prostitutes please

1. 
   Reason
   

   Does anyone have any pointers for getting a taste of the gay life in London? I'm headed there on business and will have evenings free. I'm *not* looking for a hook-up, but I would like to get a taste of what gay life in London is like.

   I visited London on business about 5 or 6 years ago, and was a little disappointed. The guidebooks pointed me to a gay area near the theater district, but it was small and seemed very crowded with just regular people. It didn't feel very gay at all. To top it off, I was looking into the window of one of the gay trinket shops, and a john came up and tried to offer me time with some female prostitutes! I wasn't sure what was more offensive -- that he couldn't recognize my gay fabulousness, or that he thought I needed to pay for sex.

   Are there any bars or cafes which are fun and non-intimidating for a visitor like me?

   Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 
   Anonymous
   

   The gay area near the theater district is probably Soho. Last year, in London, I went to two gay bars in the area -- Cromptons and Barcode -- and both were fine, friendly, enjoyed myself in both. I was told of another good gay bar in Soho -- The Village, but didn't have the time to go, so can't attest to it.

   I know that there are prostitutes wandering Soho, though there is some movement toward restricting streetwalkers.

   As for the john, too bad his gaydar wasn't more acute.

   Enjoy London!

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 
   Reason
   

   Thanks for the advice, chrisholden09! In the end, I didn't have any time for bar hopping, but I did hang out in some cafes with a local, and this time it felt much more gay. I think I just missed the right area the first time.

   It's always better to travel around with a local! That's my conclusion. :)

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 
   laion
   

   If you are looking for cool places for gay people in London, check out this place: http://www.menintouch.com/content/cities/7/london . It has a full description of the places that are worth a try there.

   Good luck.

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 
   Jamako
   

   Hey there
   in case you visit London again it is worth looking outside of Soho (although I love it there) as there is now a big gay area in Vauxhall (a 10 minute Tube ride) with bars, clubs and saunas etc. Also worth going out of town to Hampstead (The William IV) for a more relaxed atmosphere. Brighton is an hour from London by train, on the coast and officially the gayest city in Europe. Much more a gay community feel to it too. Happy travelling.

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 
   mattskal
   

   Be sure to check out the info found at http://www.gaylondontravel.com.

   Posted 11 months ago #
7. 
   Cella
   

   Hey i want to know more about gay places in London.If anyone can tell me something special where i can hang out.

   Travel Deals

   Posted 10 months ago #
8. 
   brighton
   

   The gayest city in Great Britain is Brighton, known as "London by the Sea". It takes you less than an hour by train from Victoria. That means it is easier and quicker to get to Brighton from the Westminster area than to some other parts of London!
   The National Express buses take a bit longer, but are cheaper (from the Victoria coach station).
   Brighton has a "gay village" called Kemptown (within walking distance of the railway station and the city centre), where most of the businesses are gay-owned: pubs, restaurants, cafes, beer terraces, hotels, shops of all kinds.
   But the whole "City of Brighton and Hove" is very welcoming of gays. That said, there is a certain intolerance of gay people among certain immigrant groups, so be considerate, even if they aren't.
   You might consider staying in our private house, only a few yards from the beach and right in the middle of the "Gay Village". We rent out one double and two single rooms to gay people: brightonrooms.co.uk

   Posted 3 months ago #
9. 
   jasondman
   

   everything good is in Vauxhall. I was just there last month. It's better on the other side of the river, man. check it out.

   Posted 3 months ago #
10. 
    LondonPig
    

    Yer - what's this guy talking about Brighton is yoklesville provincial and just a tad boring! Stick to the smog man and Vauxhall is on fire!

    Posted 3 months ago #
11. 
    NIKILOSADA
    

    LONDON IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE, BORING, DRUG, PROSTITUTION, AND SATURATION OF NON- BRITS I´VE SEEN. EVERYTHING CLOSES BY 1:00AM, NO OPEN MCDONALD, STARBUCKS, NADA. SUBWAY CLOSED, STREETS TOTALLY EMPTY. PRICE FOR THE ONLY FOOD AFTER 2:00AM IS 13 POUNDS, ALMOST 20 DOLLARS.

    DON´T PAY THE TAXI DRIVER´S; IT´S SO EXPENSIVE YOU´R BETTER OFF TO PROMISE TO INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR WILL. AFTER HOURS DISCO (6:00AM - 2:00PM) ARE FILLED WITH THE NEXT GROUP OF TEENAGERS FOUND DEAD FROM EXTACY & CRYSTAL METH OVERDOSES; THE ONLY WAY TO STAY UP HOSE HOURS.

    SAUNAS DON´T RENT PRIVATE ROOMS. YOU RENT A LOOKER AND ANYONE, AND EVERYONE CAN USE ANY ROOM FOR A FAST POKE I THE WHISKERS. THE CLEANING GUY CAN´T KEEP UP WITH CLEANING 20+ USED CONDOM'S LEFT IN ROOMS, ND THE FLOOR LOOKS INCREDIBLY POLISHED, GLASS LIKE FRO THE AMOUNT OF DRIED CUM, AND PERSONA HYGIENE IS NOT TRENDY OVER THERE, SPECIALLY ON UNCIRCUMCISED MEN.

    I AM IN BUENOS AIRES FOR SIX MONTHS AND ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE PEOPLE AND CITY. THE DISCOS BEGIN TO FILL UP BY 4:00AM; I KID YOU NOT. THESE ARE REAL DISCOS. HUGE, GREAT MUSIC, AND ARGENTINA'S ARE HORNIER THAN A WHORE IN A CUCUMBER FIELD.

    Posted 3 months ago #
12. 
    bullseye
    

    NOt sure what the hell Niki i speaking about. Does he have the correct city in mind? i have consistently found London to be just about the most vibrant, fascinating and diverse city on the planet. The nightlife is hopping and friendly, the shopping incredible. The museaums--well it would take a lifetime to take in all the cultural and arts attractions. The saunas, well, let's just say some of the most beautiful men in the world crowd them--and they are so many they are practically on every corner. Whoa!

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
13. 
    YourPalPete
    

    Who would have thought that conservative London would be a hot button topic? After reading Niki's comments a couple of times, I guess he is saying that he thinks London is an expensive non-party type of city. If so, I think I might agree with that. But it's still a wonderful place! I've been here more than a dozen times on business, and I've always found the bars to be a bit too conservative for me, and the patrons somewhat aloof. Maybe I haven't gone all the right places. But I absolutely agree with bullseye on his assessment that London is fascinating, diverse and sophisticated. Maybe I should add my personal recommendations of the many cultural, historic and artistic venues that London has to offer.

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
14. 
    Gr8KarmaSF
    

    There is more to London than gay bars people....lol

    Posted 4 days ago #

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