Out went the licence permitting sexual activity on the premises and in came the trendy decor inspired by New York’s Meatpacking District.
This Vauxhall institution has recently had a facelift to rival Sharon Osbourne’s. After all, the venue’s most famous feature is the massive penis mural in the loos. VFD has the chutzpah to host club nights with names like Cuntmafia and Sassitude, but never takes itself too seriously. As its name suggests, it attracts a creative and fashion-conscious LGBTQ+ crowd who love to dress up (though no one will really care if you rock up in sneakers and a polo top). Read more VFDįormerly (and still commonly) known as Vogue Fabrics, this bijou Dalston basement hosts drag and spoken word events as well as genre-spanning club nights and parties. It’s all very trendy but everyone is welcome: don’t be surprised to see drag queens rubbing shoulders with off-duty dads from nearby Stoke Newington. Regular nights include Uncontrollable Urge (eccentric electro on Wednesdays) and SorryNotSorry Sundays (a monthly helping of ‘unapologetic pop’). The upstairs bar is fun for a warm-up drink, but the basement is where the club action happens. Caught the Bimini Bon-Boulash bug over lockdown? You’ll love getting to know the rest of London’s incredible drag stars too.īy day, this East End favourite plates up brunch and burgers by night, it’s London’s best pansexual party spot. There’s plenty of diversity in what they offer, from super cool and edgy club nights to events showcasing the best in the city’s cabaret performers. Its heartland is still very much located in its traditional home of Soho, but you’ll find brilliant gay bars and clubs dedicated to serving the community south of the river and in the East End too.
London’s LGBTQ+ scene has long been full of vibrant venues offering safe spaces to be yourself.