Best Lesbian Bars in London

Best Lesbian Bars in London

The lesbian communities of London are notoriously under-represented when it comes to the city’s nightlife and entertainment scenes.

There is actually only one dedicated lesbian bar in the whole of London. I’ll get deeper into this shortly, but for now one should also know that all LGBTQ+ friendly nightlife is found in the district of Soho on the West End.

Mixed queer bars are a plenty here, but those looking for solely lesbian oriented hangouts will have some trouble. If I were to name the best of the best, it would be the following three spots.

Soho, London – by Jim Linwood – Wikimedia Commons

She Soho in London

She is all that the lesbians of London have when it comes to an isolated space for women and women only. Gay men, on the other hand, have a plethora of bars and clubs to choose from on the streets surrounding she; many of them venues that lesbian women would never choose to enter.

She is reserved for all who identify as a woman, and/or are attracted to women. They maintain this through their strict door policy, prohibiting obnoxious, too drunk men from ever uncovering the secrets the bar holds.

She Soho in London – by She Soho – Uploaded by them

In order to enter She, you need to identify as a woman, or be the friend of someone who does. The bar doesn’t prohibit lesbians from brining their straight guy friends in for a drink, but they have to enter accompanied by someone who takes responsibility for their behavior once inside.

The allure of the bar has caused straight men and their bruised egos to lose their minds outside the club on a nightly basis. At any given time outside She you’ll find an incredibly drunk man or two roaming the street, offering fifty quid to any woman who might agree to accompany him past the entrance doors.

She Soho in London – by She Soho – Uploaded by them

What these men think goes on inside of She we’ll never know. It’s nothing more than a beautifully curated, underground bar space with good music, a decent drinks menu and, most importantly, safety for all inside.

It’s wonderful that She exists for the lesbian community in London and one can only hope that we see the birth of a few more venues like this is future.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 4pm to 11:30pm

ADDRESS: 23a Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 5JL, United Kingdom

Metro STATION: Covent Garden

G-A-Y Bar in London

The G-A-Y Bar is an infamous venue on Soho’s nightlife scene. It’s been around for decades, and contains all the cheap, cheery, LGBTQ+ friendly fun you can imagine from a night out.

G-A-Y Bar is a force to be reckoned with; if cheap drinks, a younger crowd and blaring pop music from throughout the 2000s isn’t your think then steer very, very clear.

While this establishment is open to all who identify as LGBTQ+ or allies, I’ll admit most of the club is noticeably filled with gay men. The space is spread across three dance floors, so you’ll never run out of room to move.

G-A-Y Bar in London – by G-A-Y Bar – Uploaded by them

Before you rule G-A-Y Bar out completely, the downstairs “girls room” saves the day. This is a dedicated lesbian zone and it’s full 99% of the time.

If you’re under the age of 25, you’ll probably enjoy this spot a lot more than you thought you would. It’s a surprising experience; one that requires a tequila or two in the beginning, but surprising nonetheless.

You’ll notice that G-A-Y Bar closes quite early in terms of Soho nightlife times. Midnight sees an end to the bar operations, but only because just around the corner G-A-Y Late is opening up. The party moves here from 11pm onward, only coming to an end between 3am and 4am.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: 30 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4UR, United Kingdom

Train STATION: Tottenham Court Road

Friendly Society in London

Friendly Society is an LGBTQ+ friendly space that is open to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. There is a large lesbian presence in this unique bar most nights of the week, as patrons love the weird and wonderful world in which the establishment exists.

You’ll enter Friendly Society through an unassuming door down a back alley in Soho. Making your way to the bottom of the stairwell is like falling down the rabbit hole; you’ll understand when you see what awaits.

Friendly Society in London – by Friendly Society – Uploaded by them

Barbie dolls hang from the ceiling, mismatched wallpapers cling to the walls, hundreds of disco balls double as ornaments — it’s a sight indeed. Friendly Society is a space of extraordinary self expression and an “anything goes” attitude.

Their impressive cocktail menu makes for a harmonious atmosphere in which people from all different walks of life share laughs and stories over well shaken alcohols.

Friendly Society is definitely one of the more welcoming and safer spots for lesbians in London. That being said, it’s welcoming and safe for just about everyone who walks through the doors, so long as their intentions are pure.

Friendly Society in London – by Friendly Society – Uploaded by them

Oh, did I mention Friendly Society plays mostly 80s hits? A true selling point if there ever was one.

Friendly Society closes its service around 11:30pm each night, which forces patrons to move over the the nightclubs in the area. The earlier you get here the more time you’ll have to enjoy the space — it opens at 4pm, seven days a week.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 4pm to 11:30pm

ADDRESS: 79 Wardour St, Soho, London W1D 6QB, United Kingdom

Train STATION: Piccadilly Circus