If you’re on the hunt for go-to lesbian bars, clubs and events, London has an epic array of options. From East London to Soho Central and West London, there are plenty of queer hotspots that are “popping up” everywhere.
While most of London’s gay bars cluster around Soho, you’ll be surprised to find some hidden lesbian and queer bars and events scattered across the city. Not only have we listed out the best lesbian bars (sapphic and queer) across London, but we’ve included some top events below too, so use the below links to jump to the section you need, and if there’s any you think we’ve missed, just drop us an email and we’ll have it added.
Lesbian Bars in London
Lesbian bars in London are still few and far between, but recently, we’ve seen a fresh injection of energy into the scene. New spots are popping up, bringing in bold vibes, inclusive atmospheres, and a renewed sense of excitement. While the history of these spaces might be small, the passion and creativity fueling them right now is anything but. It’s a thrilling time to be a part of London’s lesbian nightlife, where these bars are proving that there’s always room to grow, celebrate, and connect. Check out our list below.
La Camionera
Where to find it: 243 Well Street, E96RG
You may recall the viral TikTok videos about this bar back in 2023 when hundreds of lesbians filled the streets of Hackney. Well yea, that’s THIS bar…
La Camionera is London’s first FLINTA (female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender) owned lesbian bar, born out of a viral pop-up party and a successful crowdfunding campaign. Co-founded by Alex Loveless and Clara Solis, the bar has become a vital space in the city’s queer nightlife scene. With its welcoming, no-labels ethos, La Camionera is fighting against exclusion and offering a place where anyone can feel at home. The venue is now building permanent roots in Hackney, inspired by Solis’ southern Spanish heritage.
SHE Soho
Where to find it: 23a Old Compton Street, Soho, London
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Closest tube: Oxford Circus, Tottencourt Road
Unlike other gay venues in Soho, SHE Soho has a woman-exclusive door policy which states that you must identify as a woman or be accompanied by one to enter (SHE Bar Soho is a trans-inclusive establishment). It is our long-standing lesbian bar in central London which has definitely lasted the test of time. Although there’s a long-standing joke in the community that lesbians in London get put in the basement, AND yes it is a basement bar sadly but we must protect it at all costs. We’ve all found ourselves gravitating towards SHE Soho on a night out, whether it’s for pre-drinks before you head out somewhere else, or whether it’s where you end up after dinner out in central, you can always rely on SHE Soho for your trusty sapphic vibes.
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Where to find it: Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, London
Closest tube: Vauxhall
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is possibly South London’s longest-surviving gay bar. Flamboyant, loud, and free-spirited, there is something for everyone at this charismatic pub. It’s not technically a lesbian bar but it is very sapphic friendly.
This Grade-II listed building is the first of its kind to gain recognition for inclusivity in London. Its diverse environment is home to some of London’s greatest queer artists and performers, from Myra Dubois to David Hoyle! If you’re not too big a fan of London nightclubs, the Royal Vauxhall is a welcome change of scenery. Here, you can enjoy anything from quirky bingo to poetry readings with fellow queers.
The two nights to look out for are Butch Please and Kings of Clubs.
Rupert Street Bar
Where to find it: Rupert Street, Soho, London
Closest tube: Picadilly Circus
Also located in Soho, Rupert Street Bar caters to all members of the LGBTQ spectrum. One of the more elegant London bars, Rupert Street is ideal for meeting new people while ordering from a delectable and upscale drinks menu. Happy Hour is the best time for lesbians, queers, and allies to make the most of its bottomless dirty martinis.
This Soho venue is perfect for women who love to get dressed up. Put on your best cocktail dress and flashiest earrings before spending your nights here!
Freedom Bar
Where to find it: Wardour Street, Soho, London
Closest tube: Oxford Circus | Picadilly Circus.
If you love London gay bars and venues with intergalactic mirrorballs, go-go dancing, and poles, you won’t have any complaints at Freedom Bar. One of London’s favourite clubs for lesbians, you’ll love dancing your nights away at this atmospheric pub. You can either enjoy this London bar’s dance floor or toast to a fizzy flute of champagne upstairs. Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of top 40 hits, head down to the plush party basement bar.
Stylish and sophisticated, people love this venue’s theatrical atmosphere. Bars like Freedom even attract many West End performers on special occasions!
Ku Bar
Where to find it: Lisle Street, Soho, London
Closest tube: Leceister Square.
One of the most well-loved pubs in the gay community, Ku Bar was one of the first to hit Soho Central and remains an undeniable fan favourite years later.
Cheery and home to London’s hottest bar staff – ahem, award-winning hottest bar staff – Ku is a venue even its employees can enjoy on the clock! Its extra-warm heaters are perfect for keeping its shirtless staff, well, shirtless and lust-worthy!
While this gay bar is a space for everyone on the LGBT spectrum, Ruby Tuesdays are just for lesbians. Hectic, blissful, and wild, party-seekers will want to be on Leicester Square after work hours.
G-A-Y London
Where to find it: Soho and Villiers Street, London
Closest tube: Oxford Circus/Tottenham Court Road
Located in the heart of Soho, G-A-Y London hosts some of the queer community’s favourite events. From its Sync or Sing Fridays to Defying Musicals Saturdays, there is always something to knock your socks off at this gay and lesbian bar.
GBar-goers can hit the scene in four different locations – G-A-Y- Bar, Late, Heaven, and Manchester. If you’re a fan of lecherous stripping competitions or breathtaking drag queens, G-A-Y is the place to be! To add, G-A-Y Bar has a dedicated floor for lesbians and queer women.
Lesbian Events in London
Below you’ll find a small selection of lesbian events in London, but for a more comprehensive list, head over to our article on London’s best queer club nights for women and non-binary people.
g.irlevents
Where to find it: Hosting events across the UK. Current residency Sway, London.
g.irlevents (which stands for Girl In Real Life) is a relatively new lesbian event company run by two entrepreneurial queer women. If you go to one of their events you’ll be met with a lot of other friendly queer women, with their last event hosting approx 700 queer women and enbys. The vibe at G.IRL EVENTS is pretty epic, with lots of gorgeous girls everywhere. Super friendly and cool crowd. We’ve worked with the team on a few occasions and love how they approach their events – super creative and forward-thinking, so you’ll always get the best of the best with regard to music, themes, and crowd at a G.IRL Event.
This is a Gen Z eat-your-heart-out event for sure. The age group is generally a young crowd, so 18-25+ and the themes have been varied but it’s usually a Y2K style vibe.
Tickets usually cost around £20 but get in early as they are popular!
Let us know if you hit up one of their events. We’d love to hear feedback.
Mint
Where to find it: Hosting events across London.
Mint is one of the longest-running lesbian events companies in London, operating for over 17 years. Since launching in 2006, the sophisticated LGBT group has hosted hundreds of exuberant social events – the place welcomes nearly 600 guests to each event!
You’ll have to attend at least one of these lesbian and bisexual parties:
- Mint Party: These lesbian events are by far one of the best lesbian parties to hit up in London. Hosting 600+ women in sophisticated venues such as Soho House, Century Club, and more.
- Mint Social: If you love a good pop-up venue, Mint Social hosts events in London favourites like the Met Bar and Golden Bee.
- Mint Network: Low-key club-goers will enjoy this more intimate get-to-know-you event.
- Mint Tease: Mint Tease welcomes top erotic performers to tickle every voyeur’s fancy – whether with fist-pumping DJ sets or an enticing Shibari show.
Plus, Mint is more than just a chic lesbian space in London – this multifaceted community welcomes all women and allies for Pride and other large-scale LGBT events.
We love Mint events, they’re always super classy and we’ve been working with the team over at Mint for approximately 7 years. The crowd are generally 25-40, so you’ll be sure to find some sophisticated powerhouse women at this event.
Femmme Fraîche
Where to find it: East London, Current venue is Dalston Superstore
Closest tube station: Dalston Kingsland
Femmme Fraiche has been making waves in the London lesbian scene since 2015. Part of East London’s Gay Bar Dalston Superstore, Femmme Fraiche is a versatile event night that can appeal to a variety of tastes!
Femmme Fraiche offers a club experience that you don’t often find in London. More than your ordinary queer bar event, it is also a platform for rising burlesque and cabaret dancers, drag queens, and hostesses! This daring and debaucherous night has an impressive lineup of world-class performers and amateurs within the gay scene. This is not really considered a Lesbian Bar, and more of a queer night for all.
Femmme Fraiche events at Dalston Superstore use the space amazingly well and is split into two distinct sections:
- The top floor is guilty pleasure galore, playing 00s pop and nostalgic bangers all night long.
The downstairs is where things get dirty! It’s dark, it’s sweaty, and it’s bass-y – and we LOVE it!
Lxz Events
Where to find it: Hosting events across London
Are you in search of something a little different each time? Lxz Events’ Haven is one of London’s most stunning queer women-focused events companies. This Coachella-themed company hosts festival-type brunches with bottomless cocktails that’ll keep you flirty and thirsty, amongst many other styled events!
Every night, this lesbian crew graces all-time favourite venues with the best DJs and musicians in London. Plus, Lxz is a space where club-goers can dress how they like and dance to their hearts’ desires – don’t be surprised if you spot glittery nipple tassels, polka-dotted bikinis, and queer pirates around every corner.
If you love boozy merriment in the light of day, you can’t miss Lxz’s Sunday brunches. Guests can partake in bottomless rum-glugging paired with a delicious Caribbean meal!
GrlzOnlyUK
Where to find it: Mainly in Vauxhall, London
Curated by women, for women, Grlz Only is all about creating safe, inclusive spaces for queer women to enjoy themselves. Hailing from Los Angeles, they’re expanding the lesbian scene in the UK with a series of events in venues across the country starting with London. Expect an unforgettable mix of Hip Hop, R&B, Afro beats, Trap, and Top 40 hits, spun by some of the best DJs in the UK. Whether you’re looking for friendship, fun, or a little something more, Grlz Only is the place for every queer woman to come together, dance, and thrive.
Final Thoughts
You and your lesbian crew (lol) will love checking out what London has to offer. Thanks to its increasingly accepting and diverse culture, London has become a queer capital with something for all walks of life – hooray. So, what are you waiting for? Book that London hotel and start ticking off your event to-do list! Stay in the loop with what the queer side of London has to offer by signing up for Nonchalant Magazine’s newsletter. Every month, get information, advice, trends, and coming-out stories published by and for the queer community.
If you check out one of the bars or events we have listed above, let us know your feedback. You can let us know what you think by commenting below or dropping the team an email. We love hearing from our readers.
Enjoy,
Team Nonchalant x
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