Lesbian bars and clubs in London

Here's our round-up of the lesbian hang-outs and mixed gay nights where London's gay girls go to party
Twat Boutique
Justinas Vilutis / Twat Boutique
Sophie Wilkinson26 June 2013

Lesbian bars and clubs

Ku Bar, Soho

Lesbian night Ruby Tuesdays is held weekly (guess which night) in this mixed bar's spacious basement. Pop videos (and smuttier montages) play on the wall while Candy Bar's DJ Sandra plays R&B, hip hop, pop and EDM to butches, femmes and everything in-between. Expect drinks deals and a younger crowd of students, thanks to its weeknight billing.

30 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA, ku-bar.co.uk

Candy Bar, Soho

Made famous through its Channel 5 reality series, Candy Bar is a swish cocktail bar with a strict women-only door policy. The stripping pole is only in official use on Tuesdays, so you can attend on other days without losing any feminist credentials. The crowd is mostly femme, but there are also Drag King nights to appeal to more varied tastes. DJ Sandra - from the TV series! - spins dance, R&B and pop music.

25 Frith Street, WC1D 5LB, candybarsoho.com

G-A-Y Bar's potentially liver-stunting £1.70 drinks policy runs from Sunday-Thursday, and downstairs, there's a dedicated room for girls and their pals. Although popular with lesbians of all ilks, it is heavy on the younger, Superdry-clad crowd of butches and femmes. Saccharine pop music blares and correlating music videos are displayed on the walls to save any conversation from the brink of awkwardness.

30 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UR, g-a-y.co.uk

Twat Boutique, various locations

Though the legendary lesbian night has ceased its regular parties, its organisers occasionally hold a warehouse party somewhere in Hackney Wick or the ever-so-slightly more civilised environs of Dalston Superstore. With a fantastic roster of artists such as Kim Ann Foxman, Austra, Cocknbullkid and Planningtorock ready to take to the turntables, these edgy parties are never to be missed.

Various locations, mainly east London, twatboutique.com

Mint, various locations

Social networking event Mint is ostensibly aimed towards professional women looking to meet and talk office. That doesn't get in the way of relaxed nights of pop and R&B, though. Locations vary from Soho House to the City's swankier bars, so expect a slightly mature, well-heeled crowd of femmes.

Various locations, l-wired.com/mint

Lesbian-friendly mixed gay nights

Popstarz, various locations

Moved on from The Scala, monthly night Popstarz pops up across London — at Leicester Square's Ruby Blue, Hidden in Vauxhall and elsewhere. With deals on alcopops, cheap entry with an NUS card and three rooms of pop, R&B and indie, expect a mixed young crowd of tattooed students getting down to everything from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Pulp to Nicki Minaj and Kylie Minogue.

Various locations, popstarz.org

Stav B's The Place, various locations

Cocktail-maker and performance artist Stav B runs a series of pop-up events. Speakeasy-style venues are selected as locations for live music, performance art, cabaret and hand-crafted cocktails and food. With alternative arts at the centre of the events, they're perfect for a more mature clientele seeking relaxed evenings of good conversation.

Various locations, mainly east London, facebook.com/groups/140606229407133/?fref=ts

Sink The Pink, Bethnal Green

This night is for flamboyant, preening transvestites, gays, lesbians and their friends. Head along to this active working mens club early to avoid queues and to see half-nude men with beards and wigs rub shoulders with locals seeking a quiet pint and a bag of Frazzles. Pop and R&B play upstairs, with downstairs hosting house DJs such as Raf Daddy of The 2 Bears.

With elevated seating around a circular dance area, this pub's layout makes it a perfect location for cabaret, and is a legendary performance venue. Poptastic Push The Button is held here fortnightly, and on Saturdays the infamous Duckie party is hosted by Readers Wifes, playing the best of the old school, from glam rock through Britpop to contemporary hip hop. Expect an older crowd of gays and their friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY, rvt.org.uk

Not technically lesbian, gay or straight, Dalston Superstore has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere at all times. As well as surprisingly good burgers, brunches and snacks, it's home to edgy gay and lesbian nights. For lesbians, there's Club Lesley and Twat Boutique, and T Bar is London's only dedicated night for trans men and their friends. It can become stiflingly busy at weekends, so head along early to avoid queues.

117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB, dalstonsuperstore.com

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