Londoners are used to the sight of Aiden Shaw walking or whizzing by on his bike in the city’s numerous gay ‘hoods and hot spots. But the porno star–one of the biggest stars of the 1990s–is much more than a pretty face. He also just happens to be the author of several books, including the just published Sordid Truths: Selling My Innocence for a Taste of Stardom. GayCities contributor Oscar Raymundo chatted with Shaw about his favorite London haunts, including where to get the best raw elderflower cheese cake in the city.
I’ve read that you’ve been sober since June, which makes bars problematic. Where do you hang out in London these days?
In the summer I go everywhere on my bike, and love riding through the many beautiful parks and cemeteries. I ride into the West End to meet friends for coffee in Soho. To get there I have to ride through the city centre, passing Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Place. It makes me feel very cosmopolitan, and at 43 I still get a buzz out of it. Sometimes I even put the bike on the train and go to Brighton. This is especially fun during gay pride. I also like to walk along the South Bank, where you can spend the whole day on the walkway, dipping into galleries, cafes, restaurants, theatres, BFI Southbank (especially the London lesbian and gay film festival in the spring).
Museums?
I’m kind of spoilt because the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Museum is right on my doorstep. I use its cafe with its William Morris wallpapered rooms as my local café and go there for tea. There’s a fountain in the central courtyard where children splash around when it gets hot out. It’s really sweet. Next door is the Natural History Museum, and besides the fact that it has impressive exhibits, the building itself is one of my favorite in the whole of the city. I’d happily live there.
In your career I’m assuming you’ve had some interesting times in hotel rooms. Any specific hotels that come to mind?
I used to work for an interior design magazine in New York called Nest, and they had a deal with The Great Eastern on Liverpool Street where we got free rooms and food. I generally find the older hotels the coolest–Ritz, Savoy, Claridges. The more established hotels seem to have a better sense of propriety and therefore discretion, eccentricity and old money and class values. I like the kooky trendy ones like Ace in the US . (The one in Palm Spring is favorite. Someone there actually brought an extra “intimacy pack” to my suite and handed it over with a very cheeky smile). Ace has done its homework (re: design, mental and physical comfort), and have a huge dollop of cool thrown in just for the fun of it.
Authors and porn stars have to look sharp. Where do you usually get your clothes? What shops or boutiques in London should visitors check out?
AllSaints and Concrete, both in Covent Garden
What are some of your favorite restaurants in the city?
I tend to eat very healthy, raw, veggie food, so I only use cafes. My favorites are Beetroot on Berwick Street (good, basic, big food) I used to eat at World Café – Neal’s Yard (but the portions are getting smaller and smaller. Still they do an amazing raw elderflower cheese cake).
Do you get recognized when you go out?
Sure. All the time.
What’s the proper etiquette in such situations?
For me or them? Me: gracious, polite and warm. Them: respectful and have some sense of my personal space.
Are there some hidden spots in London you like to go to when you don’t want to get recognized?
I wish! I guess the church gardens across the road from my house in Chelsea. Anywhere, really, that humans don’t frequent.
Is it true you are making a comeback?
Yes, I’m afraid so. Colt Studio Group and I are working together at some point this year, probably in the summer.
Certainly that part of your job requires you to stay in shape. What is your working out routine like?
Intense. I have a personal trainer one day a week.
What gyms in London and LA do you like?
In London (oddly enough) I use the LA Fitness in South Kensington–plus I have just started using the Central YMCA again. It brings back such memories, as I use to go there back in the late eighties early nineties before there were gay gyms in London.
If there is one stereotype of a porn star you would like to deflate what would it be?
I’m happy with all of them. They’re fun.
What’s the best thing about the profession?
Having sex.
You have written a few novels and two memoirs–including your most recent, Sordid Truths– where can tourist find these books and other great LGBT reading material while visiting London?
My favorite independent gay bookshop in London is Gay’s The Word in Marchmont Street (Russell Square tube).
There are lots of popular bathhouses in London, which is different from the U.S. where there’s only a few, even in big cities. Why is that?
No idea. I know nothing about zoning, small business laws and such like.
Recommend any in particular?
I keep meaning to go to Endell Street Sauna Bar in Covent Garden, but don’t get round to it. The others are pretty scanky. As undesirable as I find these places, if there comes a time when I’m mindlessly horny enough again I’m sure it won’t matter which sauna I go to. Although people more often than not let me down, orgasms rarely do.
More of our fabulous London guide on GayCities
Photos courtesy Aiden Shaw
This article includes links that may result in a small affiliate share for purchased products, which helps support independent LGBTQ+ media.
