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Probably the best regular Saturday night out for gay men in London

Whilst ostensibly a bears night, XXL attracts a broad crowd from bears to displaced Vauxhall shirts-off muscle clubbers. The music in the main room may be a bit heavy on The Freemasons for some and this is not the place to hear cutting edge sounds, but overall this a great night out. Pulse is of a good size with spacious bar areas and an attitude free crowd. There is also a dark room which is a rarity for the UK. At a time when London's gay clubs have experienced mixed fortunes, XXL is now probably the most consistently reliable Saturday club night for all gay men in London. For anyone new to, or visiting, London this a great club to meet people.

A younger crowd than other London saunas

Sweatbox is at pains to market itself as different from other London saunas. In some respects it is. The crowd is generally younger and with regular parties featuring DJs and appearances by porn stars they do at least try harder than other venues. The choice of black paint and red lighting makes it hard to judge the quality of the fit out and cleanliness, but I think Pleasuredrome has a much higher spec fit out. If you get frustrated at the older and, to be brutally honest, sometimes seriously out of shape and slightly desperate patrons that other saunas can attract then Sweatbox may appeal, but the younger crowd can be more reticent. I don't think Sweatbox will really change anyone's perceptions of saunas, but if they appeal to you, this is worth checking out. One complaint is that the towels are made of synthetic materials rather than cotton. Also note that various types of passes (48 hour) are available and a small deposit is also required for your locker key.

A perfectly decent venue, but it doesn't live up to the hype

The Shadow Lounge makes some bold claims about its appeal and clientele, but I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed. It's certainly well appointed, but it's much smaller than you expect and with tables reserved for groups, the only option for other guests is to stand around the sunken dancefloor. Much is made of The Shadow Lounge's appeal to celebrities, but only in the very broadest sense of the word. The playlist of music for dance/pop venue would seem fine on paper, but the choice of remixes and mixing just didn't work for me. The venue attracts a pretty broad crowd from club kids to mature men and everything in between. Would I return? Probably yes, but not as frequently as many other venues in London.

Friendly local bar, now broadening its appeal

The Eagle is a well established Vauxhall bar that has very recently updated its weekday line-up to reflect changing technology and broaden its appeal. Nights featuring a make-shift dark room for sex on premises are no more. Having visited on some nights that could have been busier this is a positive move. There are different offers each night (the website has full details) including a strip show on Tuesdays and wrestling on Wednesdays. There are regular monthly nights on Saturday including "Carpet Burn" which is great fun and has attracted PAs from the likes of Angie Brown and Jaki Graham. Signature Carpet Burn tracks include "What Have You Done For Me Lately" by Janet Jackson and "Vogue" by Madonna. Sundays evenings are dedicated to the legendary Horse Meat Disco (see separate review). I find The Eagle a welcome antitode to other parts of the London scene and if you've overlooked The Eagle in the past, perhaps now is the time to give a valued part of the London scene a try.

Absolutely unmissable on a Bank Holiday weekend, but get there early!

Horse Meat Disco is held every Sunday at The Eagle. However, it really comes into its own on a Bank Holiday weekend when Londoners have no school the following day. The venue is guaranteed to be rammed with resident DJs serving up a mix of known and lesser known disco classics to a mixed, hugely appreciative and friendly crowd. Nothing can raise the spirits more than disco combined with no work on a Monday! If you're planning a visit on Bank Holiday weekend I cannot emphasise enough that you really must arrive early (30-45mins+ before published opening time is recommended) as there will be a very large queue around the block at opening time.

Popular pool facilities & has recently received a welcome refurbishment

This is a sports facility with a gym and indoor/outdoor pool and its proximity to Soho means it does attract a substantial gay clientele. I can't comment on the gym but the heated outdoor pool is open all year and the indoor pool and changing rooms have just received a welcome refurbishment. The outdoor pool also benefits from a sundeck which is popular in the summer months. Serious swimmers should be aware that whilst the outdoor pool is open all year, at weekends on hot summer days most of the outdoor pool is reserved as a splash pool leaving only one lane for swimming which can be quite chaotic during busy times and will test the patience of fast swimmers. The pool can be accessed on a pay per visit basis, club membership, or the Swim London scheme which gives access to many pools across London for a monthly fee. Visitors to the indoor pool in the evenings are advised to check listings in advance as it can be used for lessons/clubs. The indoor pool is also used by the popular gay swimming group "Outswim" on a Thursday evening.

Big production. Big crowds.

In a little over a year "WE Party" has become a major fixture in the London clubbing calendar. It is held every 1-2 months at the Coronet Theatre, usually on a Saturday night, but also more recently as a T Party on a Sunday of a Bank Holiday weekend. Each party has a theme reflected in the stage production (which is usually big with plenty of video screens, pyrotechnics etc) and go-go dancers. If truth be told, this is more successful on some nights than others. This is always a very busy event attracting many familiar faces of the London scene and well known figures. I spotted Francois Sagat here on New Year's Day and George Michael on Easter Sunday. Although this is always a busy event, it being in a former theatre means there's space on the higher floors and on the in tact upper circle seating to escape the crowds when you feel like it. Note that advance tickets are considerably less expensive (£10-£15) than on the door (up to £25). This is one party to get to early to avoid queues for the coat-check. Depending on the night the dance floor opens an hour or so after opening (and fills up quickly) and the "reveal" of the stage is usually three hours after opening. Also a quick practical tip if arriving at Elephant & Castle by Tube, you need to follow the exit for the shopping centre, and once you have exited the Tube station turn to your right. The queue for advance ticket holders is on the left.

A fixture of Old Compton Street

Soho is certainly well served by a number of high quality restaurants on the streets surrounding Old Compton Street. However, there's one restaurant & cafe on the street that draws a crowd of locals and visitors and you can always rely it for a friendly welcome and to get a table. The menu offers many familiar comfort dishes and the service is consistently good.

Good quality fast food; excellent for people watching on Old Compton St

Leon is a small chain of fast food restaurants in London. However, don't let the word fast food put you off. Leon offers a heathly range of good quality breakfasts, hot dishes, rice boxes, salads, wraps and soups. Its Soho branch occupies a prime spot on Old Compton Street. In the warmer months its windows open up on to the street and the many window seats are places to see and be seen. And it that's not enough, they know to make good coffee as well.

Well equipped gym with a friendly, sociable crowd

This is a friendly welcoming gym that attracts a membership of predominantly gay/bi men, including many "gAylisters" of the London scene. This makes for a more sociable environment than you'll find in most other gyms. The gym has a good sized free weights area with plenty of room to accommodate the busy post-work crowd. Kettlebells, TRX and VIPR equipment is also provided. Staff are visible, willing and engaged. The fit out is not the most high spec in London (compared to say GymBox or The Third Space) but the membership fees are very good value. My only complaint is that as the membership is primarily male the locker room can be a little too crowded and more lockers/changing space would be appreciated. Also note that there are other Soho Gyms around London and reciprocal club access is available.

Simply an institution

To say a particular club night is an institution easy claim to make and there are probably few nights that are geninuely worthy of it. However, this is not the case for G-A-Y. There is no other venue that can attract a consistently high calibre of guest performers (Madonna, Adele, Kylie Minogue..). No artist is too big to appear at G-A-Y. The crowd is fun, young and free of attitude. The venue is impressively well run. The DJs serve up a slick menu of current pop as well as classics that define G-A-Y (including the mandatory play of "Better The Devil You Know" at 00.30). If you like pop music you simply cannot go wrong at G-A-Y.

Superb hotel combing sharp modern design and warm friendly service

This is a superb hotel. The public areas (Living Room, Plateau Bar) are excellent as are the rooms which are spacious (I love the open plan style bathrooms in the "Mega" rooms). Design led hotels are often criticised for lacking in service, but this is by no means the case here. The staff are warm, confident and friendly and I feel very much at home. Whenever I return to Montreal I cannot resist booking the W.

(Was an) Absolute must visit in London

Original Review: Fire is up there with the best gay venues in the world (Fly in Toronto, Parking in Montreal, The Week in Sao Paulo). With excellent sound system and lighting (one room has a wrap around LED lighting system all over the walls and ceiling) this venue attracts a hot, up for it crowd with no attitude. Note that Saturday night events vary so check listings in advance. Update: December 2012. This is not really a gay venue anymore, in part reflecting a waning interest in Vauxhall. It has always hosted straight parties but weekly gay nights like Gravity have moved to the inferior Covert and I question for long those that remain will stay here. Fire has hosted a very small number of gay parties on Saturday nights this year. And having been to a few nights since my original review I think it was a bit over-enthusiastic. There's much better (gay and straight venues) to be had in London.

Perect location for the beach

This hotel is directly opposite the gay beach and a short walk from the shops and bars in Sitges. Rooms are clean and spacious and the balconies of the sea view rooms afford good views of the beach. There is a plentiful buffet breakfast. The hotel does also have a small pool.

Very modern and clean

A modern and aesthetically pleasing sauna (which can't be said for a lot of venues) conveniently located by Waterloo station. However, the steam rooms and saunas are too small.

Best sauna on Rue Sainte Catherine

Of the saunas I've visited on Rue Sainte Catherine, this is my favourite. Has a decent sized crowd on Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Very convenient for Chelsea

Very convenient for Chelsea. The rooms are small (as you'd expect for NY), and the dark decor does not help create the impression of space. That said, the beds were very comfortable. I would go elsewhere for breakfast, as I found the service to be very abrupt. Facilities include a small fitness centre and there were a couple of laptops for internet access in the lobby. Would stay here again, provided I can get a decent rate.

A restaurant for the staff, atmosphere and views..

Le Saloon offers a large menu of dishes (salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza etc). Though to be honest, I don't go here for the food. It's a nicely decorated venue (with quite a cool/clubby atmosphere), and has very friendly staff. In the summer with the windows open, it's a nice spot to watch the world go by on Rue Sainte Catherine. Am pleased to say that, after a short break, Le Saloon now serves brunch at the weekend, which is a must.

A young mixed crowd all out for a good time

I've been to Unity on Saturday night about 4 times. There's one small (and usually packed) dancefloor playing cheese and house music on the main dancefloor. A popular night with a young mixed crowd all out for a good time. Go-go dancers dance on the bar and podiums in the early hours. Only once have I not been impressed with the DJ in the main room. Edit July 2013: I've remarked Unity down considerably. It's arguably still worth it for the roof terrace in the summer (not that it's the only venue on the street with one) but it's gone downhill since the music in the main room on Saturday changed to pop a few years ago. Unity may be a mixed venue, but the door staff need to exercise discretion. The sight a group of girls all dressed in pink on a bachelorette party sent me off to Bar Apollon which, whilst far from perfect, is a better bet.

A must for anyone who likes clubbing

As a venue, Stereo is just stunning. Very impressive lighting and sound-system. Gets going well into the early hours of the morning. The staff were also very friendly and welcoming too.

Best male strip-bar in Montreal

For me this is by far the best male strip-bar in Montreal. A well-maintained upscale venue with a good mixed crowd of singles, couples and groups. All the strippers are very hot. Though, if you prefer slender men over muscles, you may be disappointed and may like Campus better. Highlights are the shower shows and dancers who dance as couples. Friday and Saturday nights are the best nights in terms of atmosphere and the bar is at is busiest between 10pm and midnight before people go home/elsewhere. Ladies night on Wednesday should be avoided at all costs! Private dances are a matter of trial and error. Every dance is different and depends not just on the dancer, but their mood and the chemistry between you and the dancer.