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London: the best happy hour at Simmons Bar

Gay Local Tips in London

London: the best happy hour at Simmons Bar

Meet Ashley! 26 years old Marketing Manager living with partner Anthony 35. In London since 2008, Ashley knows the best places to go, whatever mood you are in! I moved to London at the age of 18 from a small village in the north of the country, I was a shy, confused and lacking life experience, as soon as I arrived in the city I felt like I was home, comfortable for the first time in my life. London is my favourite gay destination, because it’s the place I call home! I can leave my flat and feel safe, I can experience new things any day of the week - it is truly a city that never sleeps and never stops evolving with a continued acceptance of diversity and culture."

 

What makes London a favorite gay destination?

London is a place like no other, a bubble that is so far removed from the rest of the UK, it has its own unspoken language, an amalgamation of people from all over the country and world, who were drawn to the bright lights and opportunities that a major capital city has to offer, all with the common interest of wanting to live life to the full. You can be who you want, when you want, where you want and it is just accepted. With a whole host of great gay bars, pubs and clubs across the city, there is at least one place that will cater for your tastes; whether that’s partying to the latest chart music with your friends, dancing to EDM with strangers with your top off until 7am, or just a relaxed conversation over a glass of wine – London really does have it all, pretty much any night of the week.

 

What is the best gay event that takes place in London?

It seems that every week there is some big gay event in London, so it is easy to forget what you have been to and what you haven’t. The Sink the Pink balls are always popular and lots of fun (so popular in fact they now do a watered down version every week called Savage, that is hosted at an East London strip club! In their own words they  “Combine  glorious disco music with an army of pole dancing drag queens, Savage has become THE late night, dirty disco of East London. Now open from 10pm to 5am!” And thankfully only a 15 minute stumble from our flat.

 

What is your favorite gay establishment to grab a bite for lunch? a nice dinner?

You can head into Soho if you want to eat in an officially gay establishment such as Balans, the food and atmosphere is good but nothing to write home about. Me and my friends joke that Hackney has the largest density of gays in the city, so in fact you can head into any restaurant and feel comfortable and surrounded by your own kind. One of my favourite places for dinner in the area is Wringer and Mangle. They opened a couple of months ago in a unused warehouse space, they specialise in quality British food with a modern twist, the pigs cheek is delicious.

 

Best gay bar for a cheap beer?

Cheap and London does not really go hand in hand, if it does I have not found it! However, there are so many parks in London that you are allowed to drink in, so if you are on a super tight budget or want to live like a local, head to a local corner shop, stock up and enjoy in your own time. Head to Soho square if in Central London, or like us want to stay local we head to London Fields where you will be able to hipster watch over a few drinks. Another plus for London Fields is that you can have BBQs on the grass, so on a summer evening it is just perfect!

If the idea of drinking alfresco is not for you, head to Simmons Bar in Soho, which has the best happy hour in the whole of London (3pm – 8pm, Sunday –Friday)    

 

Best gay bar for a refreshing cocktail?

New Bloomsbury Set is always a safe bet, a  small LGBT cocktail bar with lots of character, alternatively if you want to treat yourself, try the Dean Street Town House in Soho, quintessentially British!

 

Which famous gay person is from London?

There are loads, way too many to list! I did see Looking star Russell Tovey the other day getting on a bus with his dog.

 

Ready to go dancing--what is the best gay dance club?

If we want a big night out we head to XXL, a male only venue (Saturday), when it first started off it was predominantly a club for Bears, over the years it has grown in popularity and has become more diverse and popular with all. It’s a large venue under the arches in Blackfriars, with two dance floors; one pop, the other dance - you are guaranteed to have a good night.  

 

Which gay bar offers the best happy hour on a Wednesday?

Head to Rupert Street Bar in Soho, they do two cocktails for £12 or a bottle of Champagne for £25

 

Where to start a gay tour in London?

Not particularly a gay tour but one of my favourite views of London is on the bridge between the Southbank and Embankment, on one side you have the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament and on the other, you have St Pauls and the Shard. Once you have taken in the view, walk through and stop off at Gordon’s wine bar for a glass of vino and a selection of cheeses, then slowly make your way up through to Covent Garden, then finally Soho - just in time for dinner!

 

Best place to socialize with the local gay community?

Head to The Queen Adelaide in Hackney, a pub / club that is popular with the Gay East London locals.

 

Best place to be surrounded by the local gays?

The Glory, Dalston. Once you have finished at The Queen Adelaide, head to The Glory, for a night of dancing with the locals, if you fancy an after, after party head to East Bloc until breakfast time! For something a little less alcohol fuelled, why not head to London Fields or go for a swim at the Lido.

 

How gay-friendly is London?

Totally gay friendly, I have lived in Hackney for over 4 years now and never experienced any trouble, come and experience it for yourself!

 

A gay place for brunch on weekends?

There was a group of us who went to 100 Wardour Street recently and loved it, they offer bottomless brunch from £18.95, and is perfectly placed to explore Soho, shopping on Oxford street and the touristy sights of Central London.

 

What is gay life like in London?

Easy, fun and comfortable

 

What are your favourite gay venues in London?

The Queen Adelaide and The Glory, I’m lazy at weekends and they are close to home! 

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