THEGAYUK

Tag: Bar Closure

All the latest breaking news on Bar Closures. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Bar Closures.

  • Cornwall’s only full time gay bar is about to close unless it can be rescued

    Cornwall’s only full-time LGBT+ venue is set to close unless a new buyer can be found.

    A gay bar in Cornwall has become the latest LGBT+ venue to close. Deja Vu’s owners Steve and Chris decided to put the venue on the market. They took over the bar from Bar Qdos just two years ago. They opened the venue after a large renovation for Cornwall pride in August 2015.

    The couple vowed to keep the venue open as long as it was sustainable, which it was, but when Cornwall Pride – and its associated events moved from Truro to Newquay it was the “final nail” in the coffin for Deja Vu.

    There are no LGBT+ club is Newquay.

    It was revealed that money raised from the footfall that Cornwall Pride would create for the venue helped the owners pay for its building insurance, music license. However, because of the Pride’s move, those costs are now being met out the pockets of the owners.

    The couple has put the business on sale for just under £40,000.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK, Chris said,

    “When (we) opened the bar it was for the LGBTQ community and the bar would stay open as long as it paid for itself and with Cornwall pride and special events throughout the year this was the case.

    “The final nail in the coffin was the relocation of Cornwall pride from Truro the capital of Cornwall to the seaside resort of Newquay ensured the bar to lose a large chunk of income from this one night. The income from this one night normally pays for the insurance buildings and contents and public liability along with the PRS music licence for the year.

    “But due to the relocation of pride we are going to have to pay these out of our own pocket so the time has come to sell up”.

     

     

  • One of London’s most popular gay pubs, Molly Moggs, is closing AGAIN

    After just reopening, the famous landmark pub, Molly Moggs is set to close again in FIVE days.

    The shutters were off at Molly Moggs, but now the ever popular pub, one of the must go to bars in London is due to close again the second time this year after it was initially closed in March.

    Taking to the official Facebook page, the current management said,

    ” I’m sorry to officially announce that the end is nigh. Thanks to everyone who signed our petitions. It seems hopeful at the moment that the management coming in are going to keep cabaret going – I’m sure this is all down to your contributions and representations so I really can’t thank you enough. In the meantime, the Moggs will close next Sunday the 20th of August and we’re having a big knees up over the closing weekend to send her off in style. At least this time we’ll be able to say goodbye properly”.

    Molly Moggs joins a number of high profile LGBT+ venues across London to close in recent years. THEGAYUK.com has accounted for around 116 venues which have closed since the year 2000. The Lost LGBT Scene project, which was launched last month is a way to ensure the memory of the venues that have closed lives on.

    It looks as though the famous pub will re-open but under a new brand, called The Compton Cross. A recent petition outlined that campaigners were asking the pub’s owners, the Marmalade Pub Group to leave the pub as is and not to change the soul of the venue, calling it a too”precious a resource to lose”.

    Out cry over proposed changes

    In a statement about the proposed changes to Molly Moggs, a statement on the Facebook page said,

    “The venue is unique in London. Although it hosts drag seven nights a week, and although it largely attracts LGBT customers, it is a very mixed bar where everyone is welcomed. The quality of the performances it illicits from the drag queens is also very special as it is such a small venue and nowhere else offers them such intimacy with the audience. This is something to be treasured not frittered away to make way for a cocktail bar.

    “I genuinely feel that your allusion to LGBT support is opportunistic at best – I guess you’ll put a rainbow flag in the window and hope the community will support you. Thankfully, it isn’t that straightforward…

    “A petition has been started to show the strength of feeling out there – it already has over 100 signatories. The Moggs is valued not especially for its position but for the atmosphere and shows that it currently offers. Let me assure you that no-one, yes NO-ONE, wants the Compton Cross and we will fight to keep the Moggs and everything it stands for in inclusivity and warmth of welcome as far as we possibly can. The only reason it closed in March was mismanagement but with the new team in place and the strength of support we have from across the scene I believe it can continue to run successfully just as it is thank you.

    “In conclusion, can I plead with you to rethink your plans and just say – it it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it…”

  • Popular gay bar closes in Soho

    Another popular gay bar has closed in Soho, without warning.

    Molly Moggs has become the latest LGBT venue to close its doors. It’s not known why the bar has closed, according to sources even staff members are shocked at the sudden closure of the ever popular bar.

    A note on its Facebook page told fans,

    “Unfortunately today we say goodbye to the Molly Moggs that we’ve all loved for many years.

    “We can’t thank our loyal customers and our new customers enough for sticking with us through the thick and thin and making it such a valuable part of Soho.

    “Who knows what the future holds for good old Molly’s but for now ‘there will be no singing drag queens at Molly Moggs.

    “Once again, thank you from all of us. The queens, the management, the staff and the owners.”

    In 2015 the pub’s lease went up for sale for £275,000, with only 20 years left on its lease. Molly Moggs is set in a listed building so only the leasehold is available to purchase and it is likely to remain a pub because of the licensing conditions, this is not a guarantee that it will remain a gay venue once new owners are found.

  • Popular gay bar in South London closing due to rent hikes

    Another of London’s iconic gay bars is to close revealing that unsustainable rent hikes are the cause.

    Popular gay bar in South London closing due to rent hikes

    Clapham in south London is to see the closure of one of its two gay bars thanks to unsustainable rent increases. Kazbar, which opened its doors in 1995, will have its last day of business on the 1st of January. The Two Brewers, which is local to the Kazbar, will remain open.

    A statement released via its Facebook page said that after 20 years the bar would be shuttered from the 1st of January after its annual New Year’s Eve party.

    The post reads,

    “After 20 years of being the iconic gay bar of South London, we regret to inform you that we will be closing down this year.

    “We will hold our last “New Year’s Eve” party until 6 am as usual. But we would love you to join us for the last goodbye drinks of the 1st January until our normal closing time.

    “Thanks for your support all these years”

     

    Amy Lamé who was appointed by Sadiq Khan as London’s “night czar” revealed that a rent increase from £86,000 per year to £150,000  was the reason behind the decision to close the bar.

    THEGAYUK.com has been following the closure of LGBT bars in London since 2000. Since the turn of the century over 105 LGBT venues have closed.

  • Gay bar in Indianapolis is to close

    Gay bar in Indianapolis is to close

    The ever popular 501 Eagle bar in Indianapolis is to close.

    CREDIT: Google Maps 2016

     

    The owners of one of Indianapolis’s busiest gay bars, 501 Eagle has released a statement revealing their plans to close the popular bar in October.

    The owners have told patrons that after twenty-two years of running the venue they’ve made the decision to “retire”.

    “It’s time for my wife, Margie, and I to retire. The 501 Eagle (Tavern) will close forever Oct 15, 2016. Until then we will be open 7 days a week doing blue lite specials on all drinks. It’s been a great 22 year run. Thanks for all your business. Tom n Margie”

    The venue which is focused on serving the bear, leather and pups community of Indianapolis will be closing permanently on the 15th October.

    It is not known whether another owner will take on the bar and continue running the venue as an LGBT establishment.

    ALSO READ: Gay bars that have closed since 2000 in London

     

    Fans of the bar have shared their sorrow for the closure of the venue but wished Tom and Margie well, adding that the couple had been “a shining light in the Indianapolis gay community”and that they would be sorely missed.

  • Another London gay bar closes, Queens Head set to close in September

    Another London gay bar closes, Queens Head set to close in September

    A legendary gay bar in London has announced it is to close.

    CREDIT: Google Maps 2016

     

    The Queen’s Head in Chelsea, London, is set to close after its management said it was unable to “come to reasonable terms for renewal of the lease”.

    The pub, which is one of London’s oldest gay bars is just one of over 100 gay bars that have closed since the year 2000 in London.

    It was an interesting concept for a bar as its setup was mixed for LGBT+ and mixed customers. Two sides of the bar catered for two different audiences.

    A Facebook message confirmed the closure, revealing that the last day of trading would be the 6th September.

    The statement said,

    “Unfortunately it’s true, the Old Lady of Tryon Street will be closing her doors,

    “We’ve been unable to come to reasonable terms for renewal of the lease on the building with our landlords and therefore we’ll be shutting up shop.
    The Queens Head will be back in some form or another but the place that we all know and love will cease to be.

    “We’re bloody gutted as well by the way.”

     

    ALSO READ: One of London’s most iconic gay bars has been saved from the developers.

     

    In a later post, management of the Queen’s Head explained that the pub’s owners, Stonegate Pub Company where not to blame for the closure but the building’s owner saying,

    “If the landlords are asking for too much money then it’s untenable for them to keep the place.

    “They honestly didn’t want to let us go and have been trying for months to come to an agreement with the landlords.”

  • London Pub Richmond Arms To Close

    After serving the LGBT community for 30 years, staff at The Richmond Arms will pull the last pint at the end of April.

     

    Posted by Richmond Arms on Monday, 2 February 2015
      The Richmond Arms in London will join the ever growing list of over 100 gay pubs that have closed in London since the turn of the century.  Taking to the Pub’s facebook page, managers wrote that they had made the decision to close for good with a ‘heavy heart.’
    “To all our dearest customers, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that we will be closing our doors for good on Saturday 23rd of April 2016.”
    The pub’s management said the closure was happening because the landlord has chosen not to renew the lease.
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    “Unfortunately this has not happened due to the landlord not willing to extent the lease, so the Richmond Arms will close and not re-open in any form.” “This place is so close to many of us, we have laughed and cried here together for over 30 years. We will all miss this wonderful place in a different way.”
    The Richmond Arms is just another casualty of London’s gay scene, which has lost a number of high profile venues in the last couple of years, including The Black Cap, The Joiner’s Arms and at least one of the Chariots’ saunas. The Black Cap is due to reopen in the near future, under a different name and new management. Campaigners are hoping the new owners will listen to community calls to keep the venue an LGBT space and keep the old name.

  • Shoreditch Gay Pub Closes Down

    The George And Dragon in East London has pulled its last pint.

    According to the landlords of the George and Dragon in East London “dramatically increased” rents have forced the closure of the gay pub which opened in 2002. The pub is just one of many venues that have closed in London in 2015. In findings by THEGAYUK over 90 LGBT venues in London have closed since 2000. The last date of the George And Dragon’s lease is the 1st December.

    A Facebook post released in August stated the owners were looking for another venue to reopen the bar, they said,

    “We will be looking for a new opportunity and hope very much that some of our dear G&D fans will be able to join us on this new journey soon.

    “We’ll try to be as open as we can throughout this process as we’d love as friends as possible to join us for a drink as we begin to bid farewell to our beloved old pub.”

    Taking to Facebook once again the owners said,

    “It’s almost 13 years since we opened our doors and from pretty much that night we have been blown away with the amazing response and all the amazing things which have their origins inside Number 2 Hackney Road, a former Victorian boozer, squatted and turned into a shoe shop which we reboozerified back in 2002.

    “We are due to surrender our lease on Tuesday 1 December and a new owner will sign a new lease at the same time. We wish them every success. They inherit good times, good memories and a whole lotta love. We move to a new venue as soon as possible, hopefully within the week. The jungle drums are beating and from what we hear they’ve got it bang on.

    “Today we open at 4pm and hope as many of you as possible can pass by and raise a glass, maybe even last the whole 8 hours. Music comes from Princess Julia, Richard Mortimer, Wayne Shires, Charles Jeffrey and The Lovely Jonjo.

    “Tomorrow night we’ll be putting the last things in boxes and draining the brandy bottle – so if you can’t make today or prefer a more somber occasion there’s your chance.

    “From the bottom of our hearts and written in the sky: Thank You

  • Gay Bars That Have Closed In London Since The Turn Of The Century

    Gay Bars That Have Closed In London Since The Turn Of The Century

    There’s a lot of conversation over the number of gay/LGBT bars and clubs that have closed in recent years, using an old copy of Fluid magazine, (which no longer exist either) from 2001 we discover the bars, clubs or gay nights that have closed in London since 2000.

    Can you help us create a full listing complete with pictures? We’re trying to create the ultimate Lost LGBT Scene archive. If you have any details you can add to the descriptions or have photos please click on the venue and use the comment section at the bottom of the page to add your memories.

    Gay Bars Closed (124)

    (Click on the name to go to the venue’s page)

    1. 3 Monkey: Greenwich
    2. The Angel: a cabaret bar in Stratford.
    3. The Anvil: rather sleazy bar within the Shipwrights Arms in Tooley Street
    4. Artful Dodger: in Highbury and Islington.
    5. The Backstreet: London’s longest-running fetish and leather club 1985-2022.
    6. The Bar: a large style cafe bar in Shoreditch.
    7. Bar Aquda: on Maiden Lane near Covent Garden.
    8. Barcode Vauxhall: cruisy bar in Albert Embankment. 1996 – 2015
    9. Barcode: a dancey bar in Soho which closed in the late 00s.
    10. Bar Fusion: in Islington.
    11. Bar Titania: Was on Charing Cross Road on the site of the old Ku Bar next to Manbar/CXR. Closed 2016.
    12. The Birdcage: A traditional friendly pub in Chiswick which closed in 2006.
    13. The Black Cap: legendary North London drag bar and club which closed in 2015. 1965 – 2015
    14. The Black Horse: East end gay bar near Stepney Green.
    15. Blackout: an Art Deco style cocktail bar on Molton Street
    16. The Blush Bar: a lesbian bar in Stoke Newington. 1997 – 2015.
    17. The Boltons: Corner of Earls Court Rd & Brompton Rd
    18. The Box: relaxed cafe on Seven Dials near Covent Garden.
    19. Brewery Tap: a friendly local gay bar in Stockwell
    20. Brewers Tap: Walthamstow 
    21. The Britannia: a different themed night every night in Leytonstone
    22. Brief Encounters
    23. The British Prince: An intimate east end boozer near Limehouse
    24. Bromptons: Big and cruisy was once part of the now-defunct Earl’s Court gay scene. Is now being turned into flats. 1984 – 2008.
    25. Buzz Bar: Bar in Clapham Junction
    26. Cafe Au-Reole: gay bar set on two floors, was part of the Earl’s Court gay scene.
    27. Central Station, Walthamstow: gay bar with nightly entertainment in Walthamstow.
    28. Candy Bar: London’s number one Lesbian bar – had a brief reopening, but closed again in 2014. 1996 – 2014
    29. Catch 22: short-lived gay bar in Wood Green, the most northern gay bar in London.
    30. The Cellar Bar, Charing Cross
    31. Citrus Grove: Fridays only in Gipsy Hill.
    32. The Champion: long-running and unpretentious in Notting Hill.
    33. Copacabana: Disco bar in Earls Court closed in the late 90s
    34. Cock: a traditional pub in Kennington which closed in 2005.
    35. Cock and Comfort: large gay boozer in Bethnal Green
    36. The Coleherne: bar which tried to rebrand in 2008 becoming the Pembroke. It was London’s oldest gay bar until its closure.
    37. The Coronet: described as a stylish east end bar, near Stratford, now apartments
    38. Compass: Islington
    39. Crews: Central London, on St. Martin’s Lane. Read a story about why Crews was opened.
    40. Crown and Anchor: a gay and mixed pub in Bromley North. Closed in 2006 and reopened as a non-gay bar and told customers who were looking for a gay bar to go to Stonewall bar in Lewisham – also now closed.
    41. David Warriors A Bar: for men with attitude – men only in Southwark
    42. Due South: in Stoke Newington
    43. Dukes: a gay bar which was very popular with bears in Vauxhall It now operates as Eagle London, which is still a gay venue.
    44. The Duke of Clarence: Lesbian bar on Rotherfield Street, just off Essex Road, Islington.
    45. The Duke of Wellington: mixed and friendly bar in Islington.
    46. Edge, The: 4 Storey gay bar perched on the edge of Soho Square.
    47. Embassy, The
    48. Escape: Popular dance bar with student night in Soho, closed in 2014. 1998 – 2014.
    49. Fallen Angel: Islington. Bar with rooms upstairs where support groups would meet. Has now been turned into flats.
    50. Flag, The, Finsbury Park
    51. The Fort: a cruisy gay bar in Elephant and Castle. Was reported closed in August 2011. 1997 – 2011.
    52. First Out Cafe Bar: legendary gay venue lasted 25 years before closing in 2011. 1986 – 2011.
    53. The George Music Bar: Cosy bar in Isleworth.
    54. Goose and Carrot: a gay-friendly mixed pub in Croydon
    55. Gladstone Arms: gay bar in Borough which had regular themed nights.
    56. Gloucester, The: Gay bar featured in Beautiful Thing
    57. The Green: Swanky, an upmarket bar on Upper Street, Islington. 2007 – 2012.
    58. The Green Carnation: Upper market wine bar on the edge of Soho. Closed in 2015.
    59. The Green Man: Traditional and mixed in Harlesden.
    60. George And Dragon: in Shoreditch was forced to close after a dramatic price hike in its lease.
    61. Golden Lion, Kings Cross
    62. The Halfway House: described as east London’s friendly gay bar in Bethnal Green.
    63. Harpoon Louis:  The bar upstairs, Harpoon Louie’s (later Harpo’s and later still Banana Max), was until the late 1980s among the most popular gay bars in London. It is now a Wagamama restaurant. Above the Copa in Earls Court Road, it was the largest gay bar in London, on 3 levels with an extensive garden. Opened in 1983 and closed in 1997 (thanks to John for the info)
    64. The Hoist: cruise and sex venue for guys in Vauxhall. Closed in January 2017 after 21 years in business
    65. The Horns: cruise bar at London Bridge.
    66. Jacomos
    67. The Joiner’s Arms: Long established LGBT space which closed in January 2015 1997 – 2015
    68. Jonathan’s
    69. The Jubilee Tavern
    70. Two8Six: Was a pub formerly known as Stonewalls, it closed in 2012. The 1960s – 2012
    71. Kazbar: Announced it would close at the end of 2016. Was one of two gay bars in Clapham, the other being The Two Brewers.
    72. Kensington Roof Gardens: had a gay night on Sundays.
    73. King Edward IV: in Islington closed in 2011. 1966 – 2011
    74. Kudos
    75. Leinster, The: The pub opened in 1998 and closed in 2005 on two floors, a traditional gay pub for the “Chelsea crowd” The pub which was on the corner of Ossington St has since been demolished. (Thanks to John for the info)
    76. Limelight, On Charing Cross Road, near the Palace Theatre. Was a Sunday night evening event.
    77. The Little Apple: traditional gay pub closed in 2014. 1993 – 2014
    78. Lo-Profile: a gay bar started by the dating site, Gaydar, closed in 2013.
    79. London Apprentice: Old Street, North London
    80. Lower Ground: a basement bar in West Hampstead.
    81. Lounge: iconic lesbian night which closed and then reopens and then closed again.
    82. Macbeth, The: gay run pub near Old Street.
    83. Madame Jo Jos: famed Drag venue which closed in 2014. 1966 – 2014
    84. Manbar: the bar that went on to replace CRX79 on Tottenham Court Road.
    85. The Market Tavern: Islington.
    86. Molly Moggs: a friendly and brash central London pub, famous for its larger than life drag queens, karaoke and friendly staff. One of the oldest LGBT pubs in the UK.  Molly Moggs has now reopened. Update 2019 It is now closed and reopened as another bar, which isn’t LGBT.
    87. The Navy Arms: a Friendly pub in Deptford.
    88. Nelson’s Head: a traditional pub in Horatio Street. 2007 – 2015.
    89. The Oak: lesbian bar in Manor House. 1994 – 2013
    90. Old Ship: East end gay pub near Old Street. (UPDATE) It’s now under new management and isn’t “gay” anymore, but gay-friendly – and has drag acts.
    91. The Orange: Described as a large boys space, with themes every night.
    92. The Outback Bar: next to Buzz Bar, also closed in Clapham Junction.
    93. Penny Farthing: A favourite Hammersmith hangout.
    94. Piano Bar
    95. Play Pit: A sleazy barroom cruisy bar in Kings Cross
    96. Profile: a cafe and bar opened by dating gurus Gaydar, closed in 2013 along with the sale of their radio station Gaydar Radio. 2007 – 2013.
    97. Prohibition Cafe Bar: gay owned, a gay-friendly pub in Streatham.
    98. Princess Of Wales: Friendly gay bar in Woolwich.
    99. Queens Arms: closed in the early 2000s and turned into flats. It was a smart, upmarket pub.
    100. Queens Arms: a homely pub in Hounslow Central.
    101. Queens Head: Chelsea gay/straight pub that was unable to negotiate a new lease due to increased costs in 2016.
    102. Ram, The: Islington with legendary party nights.
    103. Rocket: Two bars in one, in Acton.
    104. Roebuck: a bar situated in Rennell Street, later called Bar Phoenix which was eventually demolished.
    105. Rose and Crown: Greenwich
    106. Red Stiletto: in Vauxhall.
    107. Racecourse: The a friendly mixed pub in Crouch End.
    108. Route 73: traditional gay bar in Stoke Newington.
    109. Rush Bar: a lesbian bar which closed in the mid-2000s.
    110. Salisbury: St Martins Lane, WC1 (yes it is still there, but now straight).
      This was pub frequented by actors and gay men in the 1950/60s becoming completely gay in the 1970s. It ceased trading as a gay pub in 1985 with the opening of a new gay bar across the road (Brief Encounter).  It was featured in the film “Victim” with gay leading actor Dirk Bogarde. The film made in 1961 told the story of the culture of blackmail in the gay community.
      The film set in motion the legalisation of homosexuality in 1967. (thanks to John for info)
    111. The Salmon, in Islington
    112. Shadow Lounge: A members dance club/bar that allowed guest listing announced it was to shut in September 2016.
    113. Skinners Arms: a Traditional gay pub in Oval.
    114. Soho’s Strippers
    115. Southopia: a lesbian bar in Kennington.
    116. The Spiral Staircase, a gay bar on Shoreditch Highstreet
    117. SW9: a stylish cafe bar in Brixton.
    118. The Stag
    119. Star And Garter: a traditional pub in Bromley. 2006 – 2014.
    120. Stokey Stop: a lesbian bar in Stoke Newington
    121. West Central
    122. White Horse: a mixed pub on the Westferry DLR.
    123. Woolwich Infant: Plumstead
    124. Y Bar: On Essex Road in Islington.
    125. 79CXR: manly bar on Tottenham Court Road. 1994 -2015

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Gay Clubs Closed (43)

    1. Adams Club: In in Leicester Sq.
    2. Area: Dance club in Albert Embankment 2006 – 2014
    3. Atelier at The End: Weekly lounge-style event near Tottenham Court Road.
    4. Bangs Nightclub on Charing Cross Road in the 70s
    5. Benjy’s 2000: a Sunday night club night for gay men, near Mile End.
    6. The Block: A Bromley by Bow dress code, cruisy club night.
    7. Catacombs: A bar in Earl’s Court, which never sold alcohol. Read a story from the Catacombs.
    8. Coco Latte: every Friday night at the Chocolate Bar.
    9. Club V: a popular gay indie night every other Saturday in Islington.
    10. Club Kali: at the Dome, a bi-monthly Bhangra bash in N19.
    11. Club Tranvesties: A Stepney night for “TVs/ TSs” every Sunday near Aldgate East
    12. Chaguaramas Club: Neal St, closed in 1970
    13. Crash: late night club from 10.30 in Vauxhall. Closed in 2007. It now operates as Union, which is still a gay event.
    14. Dorian Club off Kings Road in Chelsea in the 70s
    15. DTPM
    16. El Sombrero: (Yours or Mine) Kensington High Street
    17. Extreme: Sunday afternoon clubbing from 1 PM till 9 PM.
    18. FF was at Turnmills
    19. Fist: described as a “sleaze pit” with a strictly enforced dress code.
    20. G-A-Y: at the Astoria: 1993 – 2008 Moved to Heaven.
    21. Gay Tea Dance: at the Limelight on Shaftesbury Ave.
    22. Ghetto: Cult Soho dance club with a mixed clientele of club freaks, artists and international A-listers.  Legendary nights included NagNagNag, Misshapes and The Cock (thanks to LWellsted).  2001 – 2008
    23. Le Foyer: A club in Soho in 70s
    24. Long Yang Club: a gay night for Southeast Asians.
    25. The Masquerade club: On Earl’s Court Road
    26. Napoleon: A club on Bond street
    27. Off The Hook: at Velvet – mixed Monday night club.
    28. The Phoenix: clubbing on Saturdays near Oxford Circus.
    29. Popstarz: mixed club night which used to be held in Kings Cross closed in November 2014.
    30. Reflections: an intimate gay night in Stratford.
    31. Reflex: attitude-free clubbing in Kingston Upon Thames.
    32. Sadie Masie: at the now-defunct London lesbian and Gay Centre in Cow Cross Street, Farringdon. (Thanks to John)
    33. Shadow Lounge: A members club in the heart of Soho famous for its light-up dance floor and VIP sections. Closed 2016.
    34. Silks Club: A club in Shepherd’s Bush shopping centre
    35. Spats club in Oxford St.
    36. The Spiral: gay-friendly club near Old Street.
    37. Substation South: late night club, with different themes each night of the week in Brixton.
    38. Substation Sound-Shaft: on Hungerford Lane – cruisy late night club/bar – Thursday nights were called Twisted and Fridays were called SPUNK.
    39. Subway: Leicester Square
    40. The Lounge: described as a “gentleman’s” club with bar and restaurant.
    41. The Masquerade Club, In Earl’s Court
    42. Trade: Techno club night at Turnmills. 4 AM till 1 PM in Farringdon. Last night was held in October 2015.
    43. Trash Palace: In Soho, set over three floors down the road from Ku Bar.
    44. The Tube: Late night club and cruise bar on Saturdays was called Wigout.
    45. Turnmills: Clerkenwell
    46. Voltz: Was beneath the Roebuck in Lewisham.

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Other gay venues closed

    Biograph: A cinema were gay men went, but didn’t spend much time watching films. Read a story about a young man’s first sexual encounter at Biograph.

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Gay Saunas Closed

    Steamworks 309 – Sauna based in New Cross Closed 2014

    Chariots Shoreditch – It was London’s largest sauna but was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new development.

    Chariots Streatham – Was a sauna that was closed without warning in 2016.

    Chariots Waterloo – Was closed in 2017 to make way for a new development in the area.

    Holland Park Sauna – A sauna right in the middle of the shopping centre

    Got a venue to add? Click here.

    Can you help us flesh out descriptions? Send your email to newsdesk@thegayuk.com. Please let us know if any of the listings are mistaken or if we’ve left a favourite haunt of yours.

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  • “Dramatic” Rent Increase Forces The Closure Of Yet Another London Gay Bar

    The George and Dragon pub in Hackney is to close after a lease review dramatically increased the cost of the rent.

    The George and Dragon is another LGBT venue which is set to close with the pub owner, Richard Battye blaming a lease increase which he decribed as “dramatic.”

    The pub, which was opened in 2002, still has seven years remaining on the lease, but the owners don’t feel that they will be able to meet the payments so have decided to sell on the pub “a little earlier than intended.”

    The owners are actively looking for a new space so there is hope that the George And Dragon will exist as an LGBT space in the future.

    Battye said in a Facebook post,

    “We will be looking for a new opportunity and hope very much that some of our dear G&D fans will be able to join us on this new journey soon.

    “We’ll try to be as open as we can throughout this process as we’d love as friends as possible to join us for a drink as we begin to bid farewell to our beloved old pub.”

    A number of LGBT pubs and bars have closed in the past year.

  • Another Gay Bar Closes In London, Barcode Closes Without Warning

    London’s once-thriving gay scene is diminishing after another venue has announced its closure last month.

    Barcode in Vauxhall has announced without warning that it is to close on Saturday after 9 years in existence.

    Barcode is just one of a number of other gay spaces that have closed in London this year. Black Cap and The Joiner’s Arms were both shuttered in 2015.