Posted by on August 25, 2022

Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century.

The area was developed from farmland by Henry VIII in 1536, when it became a royal park. It became a parish in its own right in the late 17th century, when buildings started to be developed for the upper class, including the laying out of Soho Square in the 1680s. St Anne’s Church was established during the late 17th century, and remains a significant local landmark; other churches are the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory and St Patrick’s Church in Soho Square. The aristocracy had mostly moved away by the mid-19th century, when Soho was particularly badly hit by an outbreak of cholera in 1854. For much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation as a base for the sex industry in addition to its night life and its location for the headquarters of leading film companies. Since the 1980s, the area has undergone considerable gentrification. It is now predominantly a fashionable district of upmarket restaurants and media offices, with only a small remnant of sex industry venues. London’s gay community is centred on Old Compton Street in Soho.

Soho’s reputation as a major entertainment district of London stems from theatres such as the Windmill Theatre on Great Windmill Street and the Raymond Revuebar owned by entrepreneur Paul Raymond, and music clubs such as the 2i’s Coffee Bar and the Marquee Club. Trident Studios was based in Soho, and the nearby Denmark Street has hosted numerous music publishing houses and instrument shops from the 20th century onwards. The independent British film industry is centred around Soho, including the British headquarters of Twentieth Century Fox and the British Board of Film Classification offices. The area has been popular for restaurants since the 19th century, including the long-standing Kettner’s which was visited by numerous celebrities. Near to Soho is London’s Chinatown, centred on Gerrard Street and containing several restaurants.

There are more than a few hotels in the area, the nightlife is pretty legendary and it’s also convenient to many of London’s most popular tourist attractions. A bonus: it’s also the historic “gayborhood” of London where many gay bars are located.Although, London does not have a gay ghetto per se but Soho comes the closest.

Places to stay in SOHO


Clubs in SOHO

Here’s more than 5 Things To Do In London’s Soho Neighborhood !

King’s ArmsBar, 23 Poland Street. Mon-Thu 12:00 – 23:00; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 13:00 – 22:30

G-A-Y LateBar, 5 Goslett Yard. Daily 23:00 – 03:00

Sweatbox SohoSauna, 1-2 Ramillies Street. Daily 24h

The StableSauna, 29 Endell Street. Monday-Saturday 12:00 – 23:30: Sunday 12:00 – 22:00

Circa SohoBar, 62 Frith Street. Monday 16:00 – 01:00; Tuesday-Sunday 13:00 – 01:00

G-A-Y Bar30 Old Compton Street. Daily 12:00 – 24:00

Ku Bar (Frith Street)25 Frith Street. Mon-Thu 12:00 – 23:30; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 12:00 – 22:30

clonezone Soho FlagshipstoreShop, 35 Old Compton Street.Mon-Wed 11:00 – 22:00; Thu-Sat 11:00 – 23:00; Sun 12:00 – 21:00

Admiral DuncanBar, 54 Old Compton Street. Mon-Thu 13:00 – 23:30; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 12:00 – 22:30

Comptons of SohoBar, 51-53 Old Compton Street. Mon-Thu 12:00 – 23:30; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 12:00 – 22:30

56 Dean Streetgf 56 Dean Street

Village SohoBar, 81 Wardour Street. Mon-Wed 17:00 – 02:00; Thu-Sat 17:00 – 03:00; Sun 17:00 – 23:30

Friendly SocietyBar, 79 Wardour Street (entrance via Tisbury Court).Mon-Fri 17:00 – 22:30; Sat 16:00 – 24:00; Sun 16:00 – 22:30

Prowler SohoShop, 5-7 Brewer Street. Mon-Wed 11:00 – 21:30; Thu-Sat 11:00 – 22:00; Sun 12:00 – 20:00

The Duke Of WellingtonBar, 77 Wardour Street. Daily 12:00 – 23:00/24:00

The YardBar, 57 Rupert Street. Mon-Thu 16:00 – 23:30; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 12:00 – 22:30

Rupert Street Bar50 Rupert Street. Mon-Thu 12:00 – 23:00; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 12:00 – 22:30

Ku Bar (Lisle Street)30 Lisle Street. Daily 12:00 – 03:00

But LGBT travelers must still make special considerations when traveling internationally. Even if they’re not visiting one of those countries where homosexuality is still punishable by, you know, prison or death, gay tourists are often acutely aware of their surroundings. We like to say, always use your streetsmarts! Enjoy your trip to Gay Soho in London town. Book it now.




gay travel destination

 

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