Gay travel to London will be the making of some great memories. You will enjoy a visit to a gay capital with the largest gay and lesbian community in its region.
London epitomizes official acceptance of the gay community in many ways. There is an annual gay pride festival and a film festival on offer. EuroPride in 2006 put London on the map as a regional hub for the gay community. Since December 2006, same sex couples have been given civil partnership rights. Tourists should make a beeline for the first tourist office opened by the government in October 2009 for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) visitors in the dominant gayborhood of Soho.
Looking for things to do in London
Some sources of accessible information include: G3, a free lesbian monthly, which carries the latest news. Other magazines include Out Magazine and Boyz for gay men. There are also resources on the web. Aside from what straight people would also find of interest, there are a whole host of entertaining and community oriented places to go and things to do in London.
Hotels that are gay friendly
While the travel agent might have a list to share, some nice options include the following:
The Soho Hotel is Soho’s first deluxe hotel. It is popular with gays, media darlings and celebs alike. Hazlitt’s is a small Soho treasure called one of its best kept secrets. It has priceless period furnishings and is moments away from the gay haunt of Old Compton Street.
Ask for hotels in or near Soho or other gayborhoods of the city, perhaps also a Schrager hotel, or hotels with distinctive features or those in or near interesting parts of the city for the gay visitor.
Restaurants gays can enjoy
A walk in any London gayborhood (Soho, Vauxhall, Islington, Hoxton) will reveal some restaurant treats. These include: Balans Cafe, First Out Cafe-Bar, Bistrotheque, Steph’s, Les Trois Garcons, the Providores and Tapa Room, and the Alisan which are just a few of the tasty options.
Party places for the gay night out
London has more than 200 gay and lesbian bars and clubs to check out. Soho is the main entertainment zone;but, Vauxhall is gaining quite a reputation for harder clubbing and a burgeoning alternative gay scene. Bars are generally open until 11 PM from Monday through Saturday. Bars close half hour early on Sundays and religious holidays. Some also have late licenses for Fridays and Saturdays and even weekdays. If you want a late night out, you will need to find out the timings that will accommodate your wish.
Ask for standout places for entertainment like the the G-A-Y Bar, the Scala, the Shadow Lounge, and Heaven. Look for Sunday events like SLAGS/Chill-Out held at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern and other alternatives. London is essentially dominated by a group of super clubs with regular residencies, but, also enriched by smaller, club nights. These club nights can change time and venues, so you have to stay informed.
Shops to visit
In East London is a rare venue, the Sunday Up Market at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, where designers sell directly to the public. Gay’s The Word is a book shop worth visiting. Since 1979 it has been the country’s most comprehensive lesbian and gay bookstore.
Some places to relax
The Paris Gym. The Soho Gyms and Oasis are gyms to check out. The Nickel, the Refinery, Gentleman’s Tonic and Wholeman are spas to have yourself pampered during your stay.
London will make you memories to savor long after your return from this gay haven. Nobody can forget a gay holiday in London.