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[title]If you’re in central London in the month of June – otherwise known as Pride month – be sure to look up.
In Piccadilly Circus, you’ll be able to catch a particularly creative celebration of the season, courtesy of Art of London in collaboration with the Royal Academy of the Arts – the organisation on a mission to transform central London into a gallery without walls with stunning outdoor art. Flying high above street level, you’ll see artist Adham Faramawy’s contemporary reimaginings of the Pride flag – with all of the colours marbled together, rather than layered in stripes, symbolising the fluidity, interdependence and equal importance of all of the groups that make up London’s LGBTQIA+ community – to mark this vibrant time of year. These are just next door to the intersex-inclusive Pride flags on Regent Street. Nice!
Faramawy’s gorgeous reimagined flags set the scene for all of the varied ways in which London’s West End is marking Pride month – from food and drink events to the Pride in London march itself. We’ve teamed up with Art of London to select a few of our favourites…
Celebrate Pride in the West End
Whatever you’re into, there’s a way for you to have tons of fun in the name of Pride in the West End.
Get up close to LGBTQ+ icons at the National Portrait Gallery. The NPG’s website is full of inspiration for portraits to look out for of queer trailblazers, or you could join a free LGBTQ highlights tour. If you’re the friend who’s into organised fun, look no further than the Crystal Maze Experience on Shaftesbury Avenue, where there’ll be special Pride elements added to the classic experience. On the other end of the spectrum, for foodies and music fans alike, the Hard Rock Cafe is hosting Pride on June 29 – think drag performers, glitter stations and more from 12pm – plus a Pride Sunrise cocktail (picture a Tequila Sunrise, only featuring all the colours of the Pride flag) available until August 18.
Pride cocktails are the name of the game all around the West End – they’ll also be available at The Alchemist on St. Martin’s Lane, and Joshua’s Tavern at The Londoner hotel on Leicester Square, which is also running a drag karaoke event on June 28.
At the St. Martin’s Lane Hotel, all proceeds from sales of their Pride cocktail will go towards The Mosaic Trust, a charity which supports young LGBTQIA+ people in London. The hotel will also be transforming the St. Martin’s Lane phone box into a Pride installation, for all your parade selfie needs. And for those visiting over the weekend of the Pride in London march at the end of June (or even just for anyone who wants to make the most of everything happening in the West End), the W Hotel are offering a Pride room package – including an overnight stay and access to an exclusive Pride afternoon tea. Here at W Hotel, you can also take part in a Pride afternoon tea with OutHaus, where you’ll enjoy sweet treats with a side of live entertainment.