London Gay and Lesbian Travel

Like any international metropolis, London is generally more gay-friendly than the country’s more rural locales. A notable resource in navigating the capital’s GLBT scene and getting a better sense of the city’s GLBT community is www.lgbtlondon.com. At the end of October, the "17-24-30 No to Hate Crime" Campaign organizes a well-attended Candle-lit Vigil in Trafalgar Square to spread awareness of GLBT hate crimes. For more flamboyant fun, attend the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, which showcases the work of noted GLBT directors in late June.

Queen’s Head Pub, 25-27 Tryon St. (tel: 020 7589 0262; www.the1440.co.uk). Over 100 years old, The Queen’s Head (make of that what you will) is one of the oldest gay pubs in London. A friendly and convivial watering hole with an older clientele of both gay and straight patrons. Bingo once a month, karaoke every other week, and quiz night weekly. Pint of lager £3-4.50. Bitters £3.15+. Pub grub £6.95-7.25, all-day breakfast £6.95. Open M-Th noon-11:00pm, F-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-10:30pm.
The Edge, 11 Soho Square (tel: 020 7439 1313; www.edgesoho.co.uk). With four floors, The Edge is a full clubbing experience. Disco balls and a crazy light-changing chandelier that looks like an exploding atom decorate the space. The first floor has a quieter lounge bar filled with couches. The second floor is the al fresco lounge, serving up massages every night where the recipient pays however much he or she feels it’s worth. The third floor has fake trees with climbing blue lights and a dance floor with tiles that change color. Pints £3. Open M-Sa noon-1am, Su noon-10:30pm. Dance floor open F-Sa 8pm.
Profile, 84-86 Wardour Street (tel: 020 7734 3444; www.profilesoho.com). With one of the brightest yellow interiors in Soho, Profile practically screams good time. Serving up American diner food and providing events like Bingo at 6pm on Sundays and psychic Sundays on off-bingo weeks (get your fortune read!), Profile is a great GLBT bar. Downstairs is the cleverly-titled Low Profile, the bar’s corresponding nightclub. Mixed drinks £6-7. Beer £3.50. Profile M-Sa 11am-11pm, Su 11am-10:30pm. Low Profile 10:30pm-2am, F-Sa 10:30pm-4am. Bar closes at 3am. DJs upstairs F 7pm, Sa 8pm. Happy hour at Profile daily 5-7pm.
G-A-Y Bar, 30 Old Compton Street (tel: 020 7494 2756; www.g-a-y.co.uk). Bringing in an eccentric and eclectic clientele, G-A-Y Bar serves up cheap drinks and loud chart music throughout the whole space. Decked out with tons of TVs embedded in the walls, pink walls and just the right number of flashing lights, G-A-Y is a solid bar. Some drinks available for £1.59 M-F noon-8pm. M-Th and Su noon-midnight house, red, or white wine is £1.60. Open daily noon-midnight.
Candy Bar, 4 Carlisle Street (tel: 020 7287 5041; www.candybarsoho.co.uk). Though open only to women and their male friends, Candy Bar is otherwise a pretty standard bar. There are occasional student nights featuring a student DJ and a female pole dancer every other week on Friday or Saturday around 10pm (check online). Karaoke happens on Tuesdays and open mikes will be on Thursdays. Credit card min. £5. M-Th and Su 20% off everything: mixed drinks become £5. Pints £3.30. Mixed drinks average £7. Open daily noon-3am.
Escape Dance Bar, 10a Brewer Street (tel: 020 7734 2626; www.escapesoho.co.uk). This stylish gay bar has a wide open dance floor with flashing lights and wallpaper with horses on them. Speakers with excellent quality sound thump out hits from the charts, and, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, karaoke reinterpretations of said tunes. Credit card surcharge £.50. Pint of Stella £2. Other pints around £3.80. Open M-Sa 5pm-3am. Karaoke W 8pm-midnight, Sa 5-8pm.
Box Cafe Bar, 32-34 Monmouth St. (tel: 020 7240 5828; www.boxbar.com). This gay-friendly bar has a very mixed crowd. Decorated with glittering paintings of stars such as Marilyn Monroe and lit by orange, blue and green hanging lights, The Box Cafe Bar is an exciting and friendly place to drink. They have a different promotion every day, so check ahead to find out how you an save! Free Wi-Fi with purchase. Average pint £3.50-3.80. Open M-Th noon-11pm. F-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-11pm.