Pride in London 2018 takes place on Saturday, July 7. On the day, you can watch the march from the pavements of Oxford Street and Regent Street, then head to Trafalgar Square for a rally and performances. But if you head into the heart of Soho, which still feels like London's gay village in spite of recent gentrification, you'll find the streets are filled with Pride revellers drinking three-for-two tinnies from Tesco Metro on Dean Street. The area's LGBTQ venues will be full-to-brimming, too, and these five are definitely worth a gin-fuelled pitstop.
Now in its 12th year and regularly voted London's best gay bar, bright and breezy Ku is always packed on Pride day. If you can't get in, it's worth heading towards its sister branch on Frith Street, where crowds will gather outside for a rainbow-coloured street party.
Ordinarily, Compton’s is especially popular with a crowd of beer-drinking, blokey gay men and can feel pretty cruisey. On Pride Day, they'll be spilling out onto the pavement, but don't be put off if this isn't quite your queer aesthetic. Compton's is surprisingly classy inside and tends to attract a more varied clientele on Pride day.
This traditional boozer, located halfway between Soho and queer superclub Heaven, hence the name, really comes into its own on Pride day. It's a (rhine)stone's throw away from the Pride rally and performances on Trafalgar Square, making it the ideal place for a restorative tipple.
This cute courtyard bar on Rupert Street is a smart choice for Pride day: the downstairs al fresco area manages to feel breezy even when it's brimming with revellers, and the upstairs loft bar is a cosy spot to rest your feet after a hard afternoon's marching. There's also a balcony area that's popular with smokers.
Village occupies a prime spot on Old Compton Street, so won't lack for passing trade (of both kinds) on Pride day. The upstairs bar will offers fantastic views of Pride revellers partying on the Soho streets. The L-shaped downstairs space offers decent cocktails and plenty of seating - perfect if you're all stomped out.
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