THEGAYUK

Tag: Lost LGBT Scene

Welcome to THEGAYUK’s Lost LGBT Scene project. Remembering and paying tribute to the gay bars and LGBT+ spaces that have closed. We’re looking for your contributions to make this an essential archive of the LGBT scene in the UK. If you have memories, photos or even stories of some of the venues listed please get in touch.

  • Lost LGBT Scene | The Backstreet

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    The Backstreet

    The club’s dress code is among the strictest of its kind anywhere, earning it a dedicated following among rubber and leather men worldwide.
    – Strict leather/rubber dress code
    – Less than a minute’s walk from the tube
    – Free membership for under-25s
    – Private smokers’ area

    Where: Wentworth Mews, Mile End, E3 4UA

    Approx open date: 1895

    Approx closed date: July 2022

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | The Spiral Staircase

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    The Spiral Staircase

    A description from Dan who worked there in the 90s.

    On the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Rivington Street at 138-139 Shoreditch High Street.

    Was part of the 90’s ‘gayditch’ scene along with the Joiners Arms, George and Dragon et al.

    Slightly ‘upmarket’ wine bar atmosphere to the ground floor, with a spiral staircase taking you to the basement level which was often given over to Karaoke.

    Usual DJ nights & cabaret.

    Worked there in 97-98. Not sure when it closed.

    Approx open date: Can you help with this info? Comment to update the listing.

    Approx closed date: Can you help with this info? Comment to update the listing.

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | The Cellar Bar

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    The Cellar Bar

    A description from Brian about the venue which was attached to Heaven nightclub.

    It was a leather bar attached to Heaven. You could stroll around and at a certain point in the evening the door was opened into Heaven so if you felt like dancing in your leather you could.

    Where: Craven Passage, Charing Cross

    Approx open date: 1979

    Approx closed date: 1986

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Holland Park Sauna

    Lost LGBT Scene | Holland Park Sauna

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Holland Park Sauna

    A memory from a user:

    A sauna right in the middle of the shopping centre (not the Westfield creation), in you went, across to the changing rooms and off you went but this was the time before sex was possible in open as some horrid little man would patrol but, you always found action.

    The showers, the jacuzzi, the saunas and the “rest” area upstairs that were a load of single beds laid out like a dormitory. 

    I remember I had my nipple pierced which was unusual at the time, this proved very popular. On leaving you would rejoin the shoppers or pop into Safeway or if you were still up for more, Silks club was next door. Very handy. 

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Bangs Nightclub

    Lost LGBT Scene | Bangs Nightclub

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    Bangs Nightclub gay club in London

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Bangs Night club

    In Charing Cross Road

    Opened: Was open in the mid-to late 70s

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Piano Bar

    Lost LGBT Scene | Piano Bar

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    Piano gay bar in London

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Piano Bar

    Opened: We’re not sure

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Le Foyer

    Lost LGBT Scene | Le Foyer

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    Le Foyer gay club in London

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Le Foyer

    A club in Soho

    Opened: Was open in the 70s

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Dorian Club

    Lost LGBT Scene | Dorian Club

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    Dorian Gay Club in London

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Dorian Club

    Just off the Kings Road Chelsea.

    Opened: Was open in the 70s

    Closed: We don’t know – can you help with this info?

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Waterloo

    Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Waterloo

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Chariots Streatham

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

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Streatham

    Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Streatham

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Chariots Streatham

    Just weeks after Chariots announced it was closing its Shoreditch brand, it closed Chariots Streatham without notice. Read about the closure here.

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Shoreditch

    Lost LGBT Scene | Chariots Shoreditch

    We’re creating an online memory board for some of London’s lost venues. Since the turn of the century, London’s gay scene has lost over 100 venues.

    We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.

    Chariots Shoreditch

    It was London’s largest sauna but was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new development. Read about the closure here

    Do you know more about this venue, or have photos? Add them at the bottom of the page in the comment section.

    Opened: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    Closed: Can you help? Click here to update this listing

    BACK TO MAIN LIST

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!