Logging the gay bars closed and other LGBT+ venues that have closed in London and across the UK
We’ve created this archive to remember and pay tribute to the gay bars and LGBT+ spaces that have closed. There’s no denying that the scene went through a heydey back in the 80s and 90s but as technology and other factors have slowly become essential in connecting the LGBT+ community, since the 00’s, many bars have fallen by the wayside.
At one time the LGBT bar was one of our only safe spaces. It was where many of us could feel at home, be ourselves and with people who understood our journey. They were and still continue to be a hugely important part of our community.
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 click on it and add your content in the comment section. We will then add these to the main article.
Although this list currently only has London gay bars closed listed at the moment, we’re keen to expand to include the rest of the UK. Please use the comment section below to draw our attention to closed bars in your area.
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.
The Halfway House: described as east London’s friendly gay bar in Bethnal Green.
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)
The Hoist: cruise and sex venue for guys in Vauxhall. Closed in January 2017 after 21 years in business
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)
Limelight, On Charing Cross Road, near the Palace Theatre. Was a Sunday night evening event.
The Little Apple: traditional gay pub closed in 2014. 1993 – 2014
Lo-Profile: a gay bar started by the dating site, Gaydar, closed in 2013.
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.
Rush Bar: a lesbian bar which closed in the mid-2000s.
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 leading gay 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 the info)
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
1 response to “Gay Bars Closed: The Lost LGBT Scene Project”
seshort
The Bell in Kings Cross, next to what was the Thameslink station. It’s now the Big Chill, I think. Was the place to be in the mid-80s. Everyone looked like they were in Bronski Beat – some of them were.
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