Gay Bars Closed: The Lost LGBT Scene Project

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.

Got a venue or memories to add? Click here.

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Gay Bars Closed (124)

(Click on the name to go to the venue’s page)

1. 3 Monkey: Greenwich
2. The Angel: a cabaret bar in Stratford.
3. The Anvil: rather sleazy bar within the Shipwrights Arms in Tooley Street
4. Artful Dodger: in Highbury and Islington.
5. The Backstreet: London’s longest running fetish and leather club 1985-2022.
6. The Bar: a large style cafe bar in Shoreditch.
7. Bar Aquda: on Maiden Lane near Covent Garden.
8. Barcode Vauxhall: cruisy bar in Albert Embankment. 1996 – 2015
9. Barcode: a dancey bar in Soho which late 00s.
10. Bar Fusion: in Islington.
11. Bar Titania: Was on Charing Cross Road on the site of the old Ku Bar next to Manbar/CXR. Closed 2016.
12. The Birdcage: A traditional friendly pub in Chiswick which closed in 2006.
13. The Black Cap: legendary North London drag bar and club which closed in 2015. 1965 – 2015
14. The Black Horse: East end gay bar near Stepney Green.
15. Blackout: an Art Deco style cocktail bar on Molton Street
16. The Blush Bar: a lesbian bar in Stoke Newington. 1997 – 2015.
17. The Boltons: Corner of Earls Court Rd & Brompton Rd
18. The Box: relaxed cafe on Seven Dials near Covent Garden.
19. Brewery Tap: a friendly local gay bar in Stockwell
20. Brewers Tap: Walthamstow 
21. The Britannia: a different themed night every night in Leytonstone
22. Brief Encounters
23. The British Prince: An intimate east end boozer near Limehouse
24. Bromptons: Big and cruisy was once part of the now-defunct Earl’s Court gay scene. Is now being turned into flats. 1984 – 2008.
25. Buzz Bar: Bar in Clapham Junction
26. Cafe Au-Reole: gay bar set on two floors, was part of the Earl’s Court gay scene.
27. Central Station, Walthamstow: gay bar with nightly entertainment in Walthamstow.
28. Candy Bar: London’s number one Lesbian bar – had a brief reopening, but closed again in 2014. 1996 – 2014
29. Catch 22: short-lived gay bar in Wood Green, the most northern gay bar in London.
30. The Cellar Bar, Charing Cross
31. Citrus Grove: Fridays only in Gipsy Hill.
32. The Champion: long-running and unpretentious in Notting Hill.
33. Copacabana: Disco bar in Earls Court closed in the late 90s
34. Cock: a traditional pub in Kennington which closed in 2005.
35. Cock and Comfort: large gay boozer in Bethnal Green
36. The Coleherne: bar which tried to rebrand in 2008 becoming the Pembroke. It was London’s oldest gay bar until its closure.
37. The Coronet: described as a stylish east-end bar, near Stratford, now apartments
38. Compass: Islington
39. Crews: Central London, on St. Martin’s Lane. Read a story about why Crews was opened.
40. 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.
41. David Warriors A Bar: for men with attitude – men only in Southwark
42. Due South: in Stoke Newington
43. Dukes: a gay bar which was very popular with bears in Vauxhall It now operates as Eagle London, which is still a gay venue.
44. The Duke of Clarence: Lesbian bar on Rotherfield Street, just off Essex Road, Islington.
45. The Duke of Wellington: mixed and friendly bar in Islington.
46. Edge, The: 4 Storey gay bar perched on the edge of Soho Square.
47. Embassy, The
48. Escape: Popular dance bar with student night in Soho, closed in 2014. 1998 – 2014.
49. Fallen Angel: Islington. Bar with rooms upstairs where support groups would meet. Has now been turned into flats.
50. Flag, The, Finsbury Park
51. The Fort: a cruisy gay bar in Elephant and Castle. Was reported closed in August 2011. 1997 – 2011.
52. First Out Cafe Bar: legendary gay venue lasted 25 years before closing in 2011. 1986 – 2011.
53. The George Music Bar: Cosy bar in Isleworth.
54. Goose and Carrot: a gay-friendly mixed pub in Croydon
55. Gladstone Arms: gay bar in Borough which had regular themed nights.
56. Gloucester, The: Gay bar featured in Beautiful Thing
57. The Green: Swanky, an upmarket bar on Upper Street, Islington. 2007 – 2012.
58. The Green Carnation: Upper market wine bar on the edge of Soho. Closed in 2015.
59. The Green Man: Traditional and mixed in Harlesden.
60. George And Dragon: in Shoreditch was forced to close after a dramatic price hike in its lease.
61. Golden Lion, Kings Cross
62. The Halfway House: described as east London’s friendly gay bar in Bethnal Green.
63. 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)
64. The Hoist: cruise and sex venue for guys in Vauxhall. Closed in January 2017 after 21 years in business
65. The Horns: cruise bar at London Bridge.
66. Jacomos
67. The Joiner’s Arms: Long established LGBT space which closed in January 2015 1997 – 2015
68. Jonathan’s
69. The Jubilee Tavern
70. Two8Six: Was a pub formerly known as Stonewalls, it closed in 2012. The 1960s – 2012
71. Kazbar: Announced it would close at the end of 2016. Was one of two gay bars in Clapham, the other being The Two Brewers.
72. Kensington Roof Gardens: had a gay night on Sundays.
73. King Edward IV: in Islington closed in 2011. 1966 – 2011
74. Kudos
75. 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)
76. Limelight, On Charing Cross Road, near the Palace Theatre. Was a Sunday night evening event.
77. The Little Apple: traditional gay pub closed in 2014. 1993 – 2014
78. Lo-Profile: a gay bar started by the dating site, Gaydar, closed in 2013.
79. London Apprentice: Old Street, North London
80. Lower Ground: a basement bar in West Hampstead.
81. Lounge: iconic lesbian night which closed and then reopens and then closed again.
82. Macbeth, The: gay run pub near Old Street.
83. Madame Jo Jos: famed Drag venue which closed in 2014. 1966 – 2014
84. Manbar: the bar that went on to replace CRX79 on Tottenham Court Road.
85. The Market Tavern: Islington.
86. 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.
87. The Navy Arms: a Friendly pub in Deptford.
88. Nelson’s Head: a traditional pub in Horatio Street. 2007 – 2015.
89. The Oak: lesbian bar in Manor House. 1994 – 2013
90. Old Ship: East-end gay pub near Old Street. (UPDATE) It’s now under new management and isn’t “gay” anymore, but gay-friendly – and has drag acts.
91. The Orange: Described as a large boys’ space, with themes every night.
92. The Outback Bar: next to Buzz Bar, also closed in Clapham Junction.
93. Penny Farthing: A favourite Hammersmith hangout.
94. Piano Bar
95. Play Pit: A sleazy barroom cruisy bar in Kings Cross
96. Profile: a cafe and bar opened by dating gurus Gaydar, closed in 2013 along with the sale of their radio station Gaydar Radio. 2007 – 2013.
97. Prohibition Cafe Bar: gay owned, gay-friendly pub in Streatham.
98. Princess Of Wales: Friendly gay bar in Woolwich.
99. Queens Arms: closed in the early 2000s and turned into flats. It was a smart, upmarket pub.
100. Queens Arms: a homely pub in Hounslow Central.
101. Queens Head: Chelsea gay/straight pub that was unable to negotiate a new lease due to increased costs in 2016.
102. Ram, The: Islington with legendary party nights.
103. Rocket: Two bars in one, in Acton.
104. Roebuck: a bar situated in Rennell Street, later called Bar Phoenix which was eventually demolished.
105. Rose and Crown: Greenwich
106. Red Stiletto: in Vauxhall.
107. Racecourse: The a friendly mixed pub in Crouch End.
108. Route 73: traditional gay bar in Stoke Newington.
109. Rush Bar: a lesbian bar which closed in the mid-2000s.
110. 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)
111. The Salmon, in Islington
112. Shadow Lounge: A members dance club/bar that allowed guest listing announced it was to shut in September 2016.
113. Skinners Arms: a Traditional gay pub in Oval.
114. Soho’s Strippers
115. Southopia: a lesbian bar in Kennington.
116. The Spiral Staircase, a gay bar on Shoreditch Highstreet
117. SW9: a stylish cafe bar in Brixton.
118. The Stag
119. Star And Garter: a traditional pub in Bromley. 2006 – 2014.
120. Stokey Stop: a lesbian bar in Stoke Newington
121. West Central
122. White Horse: a mixed pub on the Westferry DLR.
123. Woolwich Infant: Plumstead
124. Y Bar: On Essex Road in Islington.
125. 79CXR: manly bar on Tottenham Court Road. 1994 -2015

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Gay Clubs Closed (43)

1. Adams Club: In Leicester Sq.
2. Area: Dance club in Albert Embankment 2006 – 2014
3. Atelier at The End: Weekly lounge-style event near Tottenham Court Road.
4. Bangs Nightclub on Charing Cross Road in the 70s
5. Benjy’s 2000: a Sunday night club night for gay men, near Mile End.
6. The Block: A Bromley by Bow dress code, cruisy club night.
7. Catacombs: A bar in Earl’s Court, which never sold alcohol. Read a story from the Catacombs.
8. Coco Latte: every Friday night at the Chocolate Bar.
9. Club V: a popular gay indie night every other Saturday in Islington.
10. Club Kali: at the Dome, a bi-monthly Bhangra bash in N19.
11. Club Tranvesties: A Stepney night for “TVs/ TSs” every Sunday near Aldgate East
12. Chaguaramas Club: Neal St, closed in 1970
13. Crash: late-night club from 10.30 in Vauxhall. Closed in 2007. It now operates as Union, which is still a gay event.
14. Dorian Club off Kings Road in Chelsea in the 70s
15. DTPM
16. El Sombrero: (Yours or Mine) Kensington High Street
17. Extreme: Sunday afternoon clubbing from 1 PM till 9 PM.
18. FF was at Turnmills
19. Fist: described as a “sleaze pit” with a strictly enforced dress code.
20. G-A-Y: at the Astoria: 1993 – 2008 Moved to Heaven.
21. Gay Tea Dance: at the Limelight on Shaftesbury Ave.
22. 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
23. Le Foyer: A club in Soho in 70s
24. Long Yang Club: a gay night for Southeast Asians.
25. The Masquerade club: On Earl’s Court Road
26. Napoleon: A club on Bond street
27. Off The Hook: at Velvet – mixed Monday night club.
28. The Phoenix: clubbing on Saturdays near Oxford Circus.
29. Popstarz: mixed club night which used to be held in Kings Cross closed in November 2014.
30. Reflections: an intimate gay night in Stratford.
31. Reflex: attitude-free clubbing in Kingston Upon Thames.
32. Sadie Masie: at the now-defunct London Lesbian and Gay Centre in Cow Cross Street, Farringdon. (Thanks to John)
33. Shadow Lounge: A members club in the heart of Soho famous for its light-up dance floor and VIP sections. Closed 2016.
34. Silks Club: A club in Shepherd’s Bush shopping centre
35. Spats club in Oxford St.
36. The Spiral: gay-friendly club near Old Street.
37. Substation South: late night club, with different themes each night of the week in Brixton.
38. Substation Sound-Shaft: on Hungerford Lane – cruisy late night club/bar – Thursday nights were called Twisted and Fridays were called SPUNK.
39. Subway: Leicester Square
40. The Lounge: described as a “gentleman’s” club with bar and restaurant.
41. The Masquerade Club, In Earl’s Court
42. Trade: Techno club night at Turnmills. 4 AM till 1 PM in Farringdon. Last night was held in October 2015.
43. Trash Palace: In Soho, set over three floors down the road from Ku Bar.
44. The Tube: Late night club and cruise bar on Saturdays was called Wigout.
45. Turnmills: Clerkenwell
46. Voltz: Was beneath the Roebuck in Lewisham.

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Other gay venues closed

Biograph: A cinema where gay men went, but didn’t spend much time watching films. Read a story about a young man’s first sexual encounter at Biograph.

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Gay Saunas Closed

Steamworks 309 – Sauna based in New Cross Closed 2014

Chariots Shoreditch – It was London’s largest sauna but was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new development.

Chariots Streatham – Was a sauna that was closed without warning in 2016.

Chariots Waterloo – Was closed in 2017 to make way for a new development in the area.

Holland Park Sauna – A sauna right in the middle of the shopping centre

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