The best drag clubs, shows and nights in London

Missing The Glory, the infamous London pub that was a key part of the capital’s LGBTQ+ scene? The Divine is the new venue run by that much-missed space’s team and owned by iconic drag queens Jonny Woo and John Sizzle. You’ll find a whole host of drag shows to liven up your nights downstairs – and, after the show’s over, you can stay and hang out across the venue’s two floors, dancing until the small hours as the space turns into a drag-fuelled disco.

This gorgeously designed Covent Garden club is an oh-so-chic place to watch performances with a retro feel. And despite the luxe atmosphere, admission is totally free. Regular drag queen shows are on the schedule alongside burlesque, cabaret and striptease. The only thing you need to do is order a martini and drink it all in.

This gorgeous, gilded former music hall hosts London's biggest drag nights (in amongst a mixed line-up of comedy, music, and much-loved games night Bongo's Bingo). Get your celebrity drag fix by popping in to see queens from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, who regularly shake a tailfeather here. And each summer it's also the home of Lipsync1000, which is to drag queens what the World Cup is to footballers.

This unpretentious gay boozer regularly hosts visits from queens who are dripping with sequins, feathers, and brutal sarcasm. It might not be the edgiest joint around, but you're guaranteed a night of camaraderie and silliness that spills out onto the streets of Covent Garden.  

This gloriously chaotic cabaret is curated and compèred by drag legend Rhys’s Pieces, who you’ll probably have seen slaying the mainstage at Mighty Hoopla or Glastonbury’s fabled queer mecca NYC Downlow. Expect powerhouse performances and masterful MC-ing from your host, as well as a refreshingly varied roster of guest performers. Long-time Queerdos collaborator Asher Fynn is a particular highlight – their impossibly ethereal queer magic is unlike anything else you’ll see on a London stage. Queerdos has been around the block a bit since its conception a decade ago, but now exists as a bi-monthly residency at Dalston’s The Divine. You don’t want to miss it. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking that a drag show inspired by Doctor Who might have slightly more niche appeal than the others on this list – but you’d be wrong. Frankly, there’s nothing that encapsulates the bonkers brilliance of the British drag scene better than this cult cosmic cabaret. Having sold out stages across the country, this extraterrestrial entertainment extravaganza now has a regular home at the Clapham Grand.  This might just be the gayest show in the galaxy.

This ultra hip Dalston basement venue runs queer nights of pretty much every flavour, from raves to rituals to fundraisers to clowning classes. Scrutinise the line-up and you'll come across the odd drag and cabaret night, too, usually with a decidedly leftfield flavour. 

The decor of this female-owned Stoke Newington basement bar will have you feeling like you’re back in the womb in the best way possible. It’s outfitted in pink velvet swags and tassels and is home to occasional but stellar drag and cabaret nights. 

Immerse yourself in Crazy Coqs's Parisian art deco glamour for the most decadent cabaret nights this city has to offer. Dress up fancy, book a candlelit table, and prepare to be wooed by the sultry voices of drag sirens paying homage to some of the 20th century's greats. 

As the biggest drag king contest in Europe, Man Up! showcases the very best kings and prinxes the UK scene has to offer. More than 100 stunning sovereigns take part in the initial heats each year, all hoping to earn their place in a glitzy final showdown at the Clapham Grand. Eternal glory awaits the eventual winner, as well as a highly-coveted cardboard crown and not-to-be-sniffed-at £1000 prize.  It’s epic and unmissable. Plus, if that’s not enough to satisfy your king craving, there’s also Man Up! XL - a monthly variety night at The Divine. Strap in, because King Charles’ corry-naysh has got nothing on this.

While you’ll find plenty of karaoke chaos here, with drag queens overseeing your night of singalong fun, there’s much more on the programme too. Join the crew for messy pizza brunches and hilarious drag king nights in store. Book a table and gird your loins for fun, hilarity, and a little light ritual humiliation. 

This legendary Soho gay bar has been in business for over 100 years, so it's no surprise that the vibe's on the trad side. Expect queens with cinched waists and fierce putdowns holding court, with crowds of mixed, good-natured punters.

Though affectionately nicknamed the ‘Two Sewers’, this long-established gay pub and club is the opposite of grotty. After 40 years in business, regular facelifts keep her looking fabulous, while a multi-generational crowd puts its best foot forward at fun-loving cabaret, karaoke, quiz and club nights. Gather for communal Ru Paul’s Drag Race viewing parties and keep an eye out for the telly famous queens themselves at periodic live appearances.