A memorable trip is there to be savored for gay travel to London. One of the gay capitals of the world, London has the largest gay and lesbian community in Europe.
Annual festivals, civil partnership rights and a tourist office in Soho to serve the needs of the LGBT visitor are examples of the official recognition accorded to the gay community in London.
A gay visitor will want to plan things to do on the trip
Look for accessible magazines like G3, Out, Boy and others and what is available on the web. There are many entertainment and community oriented venues to experience, in addition to what a straight visitor would also seek out in London.
Hotels for discerning gays
Check with your travel agent and consider some of the standouts in London.
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.
Gay friendly restaurants
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.
Look for well known hangouts. Keep in mind that London has both super clubs and more intimate smaller club nights (with changing times and venues to keep track of). Ask about special Sunday events to treat yourself to. Make the most of the weekend and weekday visit to this distinctive city.
Notable places to shop
If you are looking for designer clothing sold directly, the Sunday event the Sunday Up Market at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane is for you. A visit to London without a stop at Gay’s the Word would be incomplete. This bookstore is the United Kingdom’s most comprehensive gay and lesbian 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.
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