Gay London · West End
Gay Soho: London’s LGBTQ+ quarter
Soho is the historic centre of LGBTQ+ London — a compact, buzzing slice of the West End around Old Compton Street that has been the city’s gay heartland since the late 20th century. It mixes gay bars and cabaret with theatres, media offices and restaurants, in the thick of the West End’s nightlife.
Yes — Soho, around Old Compton Street, is the historic heart of gay London and one of Europe’s most established LGBTQ+ scenes.
The story
Soho has been London’s bohemian quarter for centuries, and from the 1980s–90s Old Compton Street became the open centre of gay London, its bars and cafés increasingly visible. The UK legalised same-sex marriage in 2014; Soho remains the symbolic and social hub.
The scene
Old Compton Street is the spine, with a dense run of bars, cafés and cabaret venues; long-running institutions include the Admiral Duncan and Comptons of Soho. The scene is busy and mixed, surrounded by the West End’s theatres and restaurants.
- Old Compton Street — the main gay strip
- The Admiral Duncan — a historic Soho pub
- Comptons of Soho — a long-running bar
- The cabaret and club venues around the West End
Where to stay in Soho
Staying in or near Soho puts you in the West End, walking distance of the theatres, Covent Garden and the gay scene; it’s central but lively and pricey.
Pride & events
Pride in London takes place in late June/early July and passes through the West End; Soho is the year-round hub.
Know before you go
- The UK has had same-sex marriage since 2014; London is openly accepting and public affection is unremarkable in Soho.
- Old Compton Street is the heart — bars and cafés spill onto the pavements in summer.
- Soho is central and busy; it can be rowdy late on weekends, so use normal big-city night-out care.
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Plan my trip — freeGay Soho FAQs
Is Soho gay friendly?
Yes — it’s the historic heart of gay London, around Old Compton Street, and one of Europe’s most established LGBTQ+ scenes.
Where are the gay bars in Soho?
Mostly along and around Old Compton Street — institutions include the Admiral Duncan and Comptons of Soho.
Is Soho a good area to stay in London?
Yes — it’s right in the West End, walkable to the theatres and Covent Garden and the centre of the gay scene, though it’s pricey and lively at night.
Why is Soho the gay area of London?
Old Compton Street became the open centre of gay London from the 1980s–90s, and Soho has been the community’s heartland ever since.
Bars and venues open, close and change — verify before you go. Laws and attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people vary and can change; always check current local law and your government’s travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.