Beyond the Rainbow: London’s Other Gay Scene

SOUTH OF THE RIVER

By contrast, the scene south of the river seems far less concerned with art and social consciousness, but that does not mean these attributes aren’t part of the picture, It goes without saying that if you are heading south you are looking to let your hair down and have some fun.

The majority of LGBTQ venues here are located in and around Vauxhall, and they offer a diverse range of entertainment, from early evening cocktails to legendary drag shows and hard-core, late night clubbing. There are also a number of well-established clubs in other parts of South London, and if it’s your first visit you cannot go wrong by choosing Vauxhall. Start your evening at the Cock Tavern, one of the area’s newest venues, which has quickly managed to establish itself as a local favorite. At a time when many gay bars are facing the doom of extinction, seeing a brand new establishment thriving is very encouraging. The interior is gorgeously decorated and the crowd is joyful and eclectic, guarantying a jolly start to your evening.

Photo: Riposte

For a true Vauxhall experience, you simply must visit the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. This iconic venue manages to be at once a landmark London institution, while at the same time maintaining its edgy, alternative vibe. According to a much cherished legend, which the management still insists is absolutely true, Freddie Mercury once spent the night partying here with Princess Diana, who came disguised as a drag king. I guess it doesn’t really matter whether the story is true or not; what counts is that it fits perfectly with RVT’s ethos of delicious hedonism and wild abandon.

There is something in its décor and atmosphere which is a throwback to the rebellious London of the Thatcher years, although the venue and its queer history reach much further back than that. First opened in 1862, the tavern quickly established itself as a place where queer men could meet, albeit in secret. Long before homosexuality became decriminalised in Britain in 1967, RVT and the neighboring Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens held a reputation as notorious cruising grounds. By the 1970s, the RVT openly embraced drag culture, becoming one of the first venues in London to host regular drag shows and queer-themed cabarets. This tradition continues to this day, with exciting open mic nights, as well as internationally renowned shows. The most famous of RVT’s nights is the legendary Duckie. This avant-garde club night has run at the venue for nearly three decades, and it continues to showcase the best of London’s queer entertainment, with live performances, an eclectic mix of DJs and musical styles and an unapologetic sense of fun. If you’re planning a trip to London, there is simply no way you can leave the RVT off your itinerary. Ideally try to go more than once, as every night of the week is a spectacular extravaganza.

There are various other options in Vauxhall, and if late-night, hardcore clubbing is your cup of tea, you won’t want to miss Fire, a huge queer-friendly nightclub catering mostly to fans of techno and house.

If you prefer old-school disco and are a fan of 80s Madonna, head over to Eagle, one of the most flamboyant night spots in South London, located less than five minutes’ walk from the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. This former pub, with its jet black exterior, looks more like a hard-rock joint, but do not be fooled, the moment you step through the door you’re likely to be greeted by friendly, all-queer staff and familiar gay items blasting from the speakers. The night at the Eagle is always great fun, with a unique sense of nostalgia and a feeling of being part of a close-knit community, even if you’re visiting from out of town.

While London’s gay scene is still thriving, over the last two decades or so it has faced an increasing threat from rising rent prices, multimillion pound property developments, and the general trend of gentrification. The numbers are staggering: of the 125 exclusively LGBTQ venues which existed in the capital in the early 2000s, only around 50 remain.

With such harsh realities, it seems that the future of London’s gay venues truly lies within the ‘other scene.’ There is something to be said for the community being forced to retreat underground, and whether you are a visitor to London, or you call this city your home, chances are that you will experience the best and most authentic of its gay scene on the fringes, in one of the hidden gems of South and East London.