Discover Queer history throughout the city!

With LGBTQIA+ History Month in full swing, it is about time we share some of London’s most iconic queer sites. Whether you're a longtime Londoner or new to the city, we’re sure that you will find a spot that speaks to you. These places offer a mix of nightlife history, and they all have a deep connection to the city's queer history, and some may even come up in our upcoming LGBTQuiz on February 27th, where you can win some cool pride-themed prizes.

Gays the Word

As many rightly point out, it may be a bit of a challenge to find queer safe spaces that do not centre around drinking culture. The iconic bookshop in Bloomsbury is a good example of such a place. It offers a wide range of fiction and non-fiction queer books and has served as a cultural and activist hub for decades as the oldest queer bookshop in the UK. The shop has played a significant role in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the 80s-90s, and still does today. They host many exciting events, such as book launches and book signings.

You can win Gays the Word's gift cards on the quiz night that I mentioned earlier!

Vauxhall

How can we not mention the famous gay village? Since as early as the 18th century, Vauxhall has been associated with queer culture. The area was home to the Molly Houses-underground meeting spots for queer men. In the 20th century, it evolved into one of London's most vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife districts, with venues like the Royal Vauxhall Tavern leading the way.

This place is also closely connected to the first known drag queen in English history, Princess Seraphina, who was active in the early 18th century.

Trafalgar Square

This tourist attraction in central London is also significant as it was the site of the first UK Pride. Organised by the Gay Liberation Front in 1972, it involved a few hundred people marching from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. Both sites are still included in modern Pride routes as a tribute to London’s first-ever Pride parade. Later on, some of the most significant protests for queer rights, such as the demonstrations against Section 28 in the 1990s-a law banning the 'promotion of homosexuality' in schools - were held here.

Heaven

Heaven is one of London’s most iconic LGBTQ+ clubs, lighting up the city’s queer nightlife since the 80s. With multiple dance floors, themed nights, and drag performances, it truly is a cornerstone of queer nightlife. When Heaven first opened, LGBTQ+ nightlife in London was mostly limited to members-only clubs and pubs. A major turning point came in 1976 with Bang!—a legendary gay disco night that later evolved into G-A-Y, still keeping the party going today as a popular bar in Soho. But at the time, a dedicated LGBTQ+ club on the scale of Heaven simply did not exist.

More than just a club, Heaven has long been a cornerstone of queer London, hosting events like free HIV testing and providing a safe space for the community. Heaven remains a must-visit spot and an important part of London’s LGBTQ+ history.

Soho

Although specific spots like Heaven and Admiral Duncan are worth mentioning, Soho as an area has been and still is central to London's queer community. From its vibrant nightlife to its community-led events, it has long been an important space for LGBTQ+ people. Today, bars like G-A-Y, Freedom, and The Yard keep their legacy alive, while yearly Pride celebrations bring thousands to their streets.

Statue of Oscar Wilde

Close to the iconic gay club Heaven, you’ll find a notable memorial to Oscar Wilde, one of history's most celebrated queer figures. Despite the fame and admiration during his lifetime, Wilde was condemned and imprisoned for homosexuality. You can learn more about this tragic chapter of his life in ‘De Profundis’. Wilde, despite having a brief life, left behind some of the most beloved classics with themes that many interpret as queer representation, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. The latter was recently staged at the National Theatre (With Ncuti Gatwa as one of the leads!) and you can still catch it in cinemas!

The statue, titled 'A Conversation with Oscar Wilde,' shows his face emerging from a stone with an inscription reading, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."

Admiral Duncan

Admiral Duncan is a historic pub that became a symbol of resilience after being targeted in a 1999 bombing attack. The nail bomb attack, carried out by a far-right extremist, tragically took the lives of three people and injured many others. However, Admiral Duncan reopened and remains a proud part of Soho's LGBTQ+ scene, serving as both a social space and a reminder of the community's strength in the face of adversity.

London's LGBTQ+ history is embedded into the very fabric of the city. From bookshops to gay clubs, every spot on this list stands as a living testament and witness to the fight for queer freedom and the celebration of queer love.