Google Maps be gone! Let a beautiful physical map, created by London-based visual artist Joy Yamusangie, be your guide to the UK capital’s most happening social spots.
Created in partnership with BRICKS Magazine and their community of LGBTQIA+ voices, and illustrated by visual artist Joy Yamusangie, take inspiration for where to go and what to do around our gorgeous Hoxton neighbourhoods. Covering nightlife, culture, salons, shopping, theatre and so much more, find out where to read good books, see good stuff and sup a glass or two of very, very good wine – your pocket map of LGBTQIA+ London for the warmest of welcomes. The map, free to pick up at any London Hoxton front desk, is beautiful enough to frame – or at the very least fashion into a very pretty fan.
Sh! Emporium
57 Hoxton Square, N1 6PB
Nestled in the heart of Hoxton, erotic boutique Sh! is an intimate oasis run for women by women. Step into the store and be greeted not only by an exquisite array of erotic toys and literature, but also by an atmosphere of inclusivity and warmth. It’s evident that expertise runs deep here, with founder Kathryn Hoyle’s legacy including the introduction of the iconic Jessica Rabbit. Beyond retail, Sh! serves as a hub for education and exploration, hosting enlightening evening classes covering an array of topics, from the intricacies of lesbian sex toys to the art of beginner’s bondage.
Dennis Severs’ House
18 Folgate Street, E1 6BX
Nestled in Spitalfields, London, Dennis Severs’ House is an enchanting time capsule with a rich queer history. The gay Californian artist spent 20 years meticulously curating the rooms of his home into a museum, offering a journey through different historical epochs. Visitors immerse themselves in the lives of the fictional Severs family, evoking the impression that the former residents have just stepped out of the room, from the aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air to bedsheets meticulously arranged to mimic the appearance of recently slept-in linens.
The Divine
33 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BJ
After the disheartening closure of iconic queer bar The Glory, the team behind it has debuted a new LGBTQIA+ bar, The Divine, newly opened in Dalston. The space includes a cafe, a show-bar and a basement club. The stage in the new venue surpasses the dimensions of The Glory’s theatre space, offering ample room for creativity with a capacity of up to 100 individuals. It’s an ideal venue for emerging artists, works in progress, avant-garde nu-queer cabaret, and serves as a fresh platform for internationally acclaimed drag competitions to shine.
Barberette
Unit 1, Warwick Works, Lower Clapton, E5 8QJ
Established in 2012 by Klara Vanova, the Hackney-based pioneering hair salon stands as a self-financed and accessible hub for queer and butch communities. Offering affordable, gender affirming haircuts in an LGBTQIA+ friendly environment, it prioritises inclusivity above all else. The pricing reflects its gender-neutral ethos: charges are based solely on the service provided, not on gender identity. Catering to diverse hair types and textures, the focus remains on shorter styles. The ultimate aim? Ensuring every client departs feeling authentically themselves. Regardless of gender expression or sexuality, Barberette is dedicated to delivering the desired hairstyle, fostering confidence and self-expression for all.
The Peacock Theatre
Portugal St, WC2A 2HT
The Peacock Theatre is part of the famous Sadler’s Wells group of theatres and is where the fabulous queer musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has been held for the past year. Located on Portugal Street near the Holborn tube station, notable upcoming performances include An Evening with Janice Joplin from 20th August til 28th September, Straight Expectations with drag performer and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard on 22nd September, and The Peacock Theatre’s annual performance of The Snowman by Birmingham Repertory Theatre returns on 23rd November.
Phoenix Arts Club
1 Phoenix St, WC2H 8BU
The Phoenix Arts Club is London’s legendary cabaret, variety club and theatrical hangout. The venue boasts an impressive artistic programme that is one of the most diverse and inclusive in London, and works with over 400 creative practitioners a year to bring the best new and emerging artists to the West End – celebrating LGBTQIA+ entertainment, cabaret, musical theatre, opera and more. Many of the club’s shows operate a NOTAFLOF (not turned away for lack of funds) scheme, where those unable to afford a ticket, can request a complimentary ticket.
Noble Rot
51 Lamb’s Conduit St, WC1N 3NB
Noble Rot started out as a magazine about wine, food and the creative arts in 2013, before opening their first restaurant in nearby Bloomsbury in 2015. Inspired to create inclusive spaces in the wine world, Noble Rot is the IRL embodiment of the “anti-snob” wine magazine, offering a delicious selection of expertly selected wines from across the globe, accompanied by exquisite contemporary British food. And, if you like what you tried, you can visit their wine shop just a few doors down, one of the best independent bottle shops in London.
The London Art Bar
300 High Holborn, WC1V 7JH
The London Art Bar is the home of PopUp Painting, offering paint and ‘Paint & Prosecco’ evenings to get your creative juices flowing. Moreover, the space also hosts a monthly LGBTQIA+ meetup evening designed for meeting new people, making friends, and having a good time in a queer-friendly space.
The Feminist Library
Sojourner Truth Community Centre, 161 Sumner Rd, SE15 6JL
The Feminist Library is a large collection of feminist literature based in Peckham, London. They are a library, bookshop and community space and support research, activist and community projects. The organisation was originally known as the Woman’s Research and Resources Centre, before the Feminist Library was set up in 1975 during the Women’s Liberation Movement. As a queer-friendly organisation, they celebrate queer-related activism and intersectional feminism on a global scale and hold many events and exhibitions which are also queer-related.
TOAD Bakery
44 Peckham Rd, SE5 8PX
TOAD Bakery is a queer-owned business that, according to BBC Good Food, is “famed for its divine pastries.” This Peckham Road bakery offers a seasonal menu, but you can be sure their mouthwatering croissants and cinnamon buns are always available. The shop also aims for inclusivity, sourcing only the best ingredients from queer suppliers and producers.
Paladar
4-5 London Rd, SE1 6JZ
Paladar is a gay-owned, award-winning creative Latin American restaurant in the heart of the SE1 district between Waterloo and Elephant & Castle. There is a cute and romantic courtyard garden to the rear; a unique all-Latin American wine list, and the bar staff shake up super Latin cocktails. A great addition to the London culinary scene and well worth a visit!
The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
60-62 Hopton St, SE1 9JH
A sober, intersectional community centre and café where all LGBTQ+ people are welcome, and supported, can build connections and can flourish. Our vision is for a more connected, belonging and thriving LGBTQ+ community in London.
Corner, New Cross
117 New Cross Rd, SE14 5DJ
Corner is an LGBTQIA+ led neighbourhood coffee shop and creative space in New Cross. Great coffee, art exhibitions, bakes and cakes, somewhere lovely to meet your friends in the local community. Corner is an LGBTQIA+ led business, headed up by partners Mark and Tarek who run the coffee shop and art space together.
V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
All year around, the museum hosts various queer led exhibitions and events. Join the free LGBTQIA+ Tour to discover the hidden stories of diverse gender and sexual identities across time, place and culture or join a host of inclusive workshops, talks and pop-ups celebrating queer communities.
West Five Bar
25 Popes Ln, S Ealing Rd, London W5 4NT
Nestled in Ealing, West Five Bar has become a go-to destination since 1998 for those seeking an inclusive night out. The venue is more than just a bar; it hosts drag performances and cabaret shows and is a regular hot spot for UK Drag Race queens.
Bush Hall
310 Uxbridge Rd, London W12 7LJ
This LGBTQIA+ friendly Art Deco and Nouveau music venue has step-free access and is located in the heart of Shepherd’s Bush. Hosting everything from up-and-coming musicians, comedy and cabaret shows.
Studio West
216 Kensington Park Rd, W11 1NR
This independent art gallery in Notting Hill is the home of the UK’s most exciting emerging and newly established artists. Founded in 2021 by curator Caroline Bosely, the gallery seeks to enrich the local area, taking account of the culturally rich and diverse community within which it operates. Alongside the gallery exhibition programme, Studio West offers a varied and innovative programme of talks, workshops, events, performances and screenings.
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