Six of the best must visit gay bars in London

Queer life is forever changing in the grand metropolis. London has long served as the primary hub for entertainment, performance and nightlife, and the LGBTQ+ community certainly benefits from its excellent selection.

If you're looking for a great place to date the hot guy you've clicked with on Gay Chat Zone – the UK's leading gay chat line – you'll be spoiled for choice in the capital city. Check out our top 6 of the best must visit gay bars in London, and see for yourself...

Ku Bar

In the throbbing heart of the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, you'll discover the Ku Bar. Situated in Lisle Street near Leicester Square, this award winning, 500 capacity gay bar is a flagship venue that offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy colourful cocktails, champagne or your preferred tipple, on a large terrace from 1pm to 1am. You can expect to see and hear your favourite pop, dance, house tunes and gay anthems on the walls of flat screen TVs that are playing non-stop music videos, and also catch a live drag show.

Ku Bar, 30 Lisle St, London, WC2H 7BA

The Yard

Take a wander to Rupert Street, to mix and mingle with the trendy LGBTQ+ crowd that loves to hang out at The Yard. This popular Soho courtyard bar boasts a downstairs alfresco area that's kitted out with wooden banquettes, atmospheric lighting and decorative foliage. Or relax and kick back on a comfy leather sofa in the upstairs loft bar, and enjoy drinks and a snack from the food menu, while you get to know your date even better.

The Yard Bar Soho, 57 Rupert St, London, W1D 7PL

Friendly Society

Also conveniently situated in Soho is Friendly Society. As you enter through the back-alley doorway, off Wardour Street, prepare to be surprised. The charming drinking den has a fun vibe, with Barbie dolls suspended from the ceiling and iconic old movies projected onto a back wall. It's the ideal place to make a pitstop on a must visit gay bar in London night out, especially if you love inexpensive prosecco.

Friendly Society, 79 Wardour St, London, W1D 6QA

The Retro Bar

If you want to impress your date, take a stroll along an alley off the Strand, to George Court and locate The Retro Bar. The queer life's hidden gem's compact size is perfectly proportioned to accommodate anyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and is decorated with quaint and iconic black and white photos of celebrities. There's a jukebox pumping out nostalgic tunes that provide the perfect soundtrack to your date night, and a quieter bar upstairs, if you want to enjoy a more intimate moment.

Retro Bar, 2 George Ct, London, WC2N 6HH

Two Brewers

The legendary Two Brewers, on Clapham High Street, south of the River Thames, has been proudly serving the LGBTQ+ community since 1981. It's no surprise that the famous premier drag cabaret bar and club is open seven nights a week, 365 days a year. In this cavernous, glitter-filled gay haunt, you're invited to kill it at karaoke or dance 'til dawn. You can also try your luck on quiz night or enjoy a drag show or club night.

Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High St, London, SW4 7UJ

The Roses of Elagabalus

Venturing into East London, The Roses of Elagabalus is definitely worth a visit, if you want to check out the fanciest LGBTQ+ venue in the city. The Kingsland Road, Dalston Junction bar is a sophisticated and secretive spot that makes a lasting impression. You'll be given stickers to cover your mobile phone camera before being allowed to slip through the bar's curtained entrance into the warren-like interior. On your way to the cabaret space or the downstairs subterranean sweat box, where DJs entertain at the weekend, take a moment to explore the library that's well stocked with erotic coffee table books. As you chat over drinks, while seated in one of the many low-lit, conspiratorial nooks, your date will undoubtedly be amazed and astonished by your insider knowledge of all of the best gay bars in London.

The Roses of Elagabalus, Ground floor, 578 Kingsland Rd, London, E8 4AH