Where to go as an LGBTQ+ Student

London has so much to offer for the queer community. No matter which neighbourhood, there's always something LGBTQ+: from bookstores, clubs, community spaces and more. Here are mine and my friends' personal favourites but there are so many to choose from that I couldn't fit them all in the list!

♿ = wheelchair accessible

Clubs:

Typically a core of the queer experience, clubs have represented a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people where they can experiment, explore and let loose from the outside world. The list is endless for queer club nights, going from one-off events at venue spaces (like Riposte or Fluid) to queer venues themselves (like Fold, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club). Here are three club venues that are tried and true staples. 

Dalston Superstore

A queer café / bar by day hosting drag queen brunches and film screenings, this venue turns into a club at night. From pop upstairs to techno and trance downstairs, you can find all types of music here. On Wednesdays, BodySwap is a club night which raises donations for a trans person's transition fund. Dalston Superstore is a special favourite for me and my friends so I had to include it first; we can often be found here on a Saturday night. 

Website: https://dalstonsuperstore.com/

📍 117 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB

Nearest station: Dalston Kingsland (Overground - Mildmay line)

Heaven: Popcorn Mondays

Instagram - heavenlgbtclub

Popcorn Mondays have recently turned into a student night at Heaven in collaboration with Student Pride. Expect pop music and cheese, from Beyoncé to ABBA, and some of the cheapest drinks in Central London.  Even better is if you bring your LSE ID, you can get entry for anywhere from £1-£5!

Website: https://g-a-yandheaven.co.uk/

📍 9 The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NG

Nearest station: Charing Cross Station (Northern line)

Freedom

Instagram - freedombarsoho

♿

Located in the heart of Soho, Freedom Bar has just been refurbished to be modern, sleek and fresh. Here, you'll usually find live performers, from singers to drag queens, and a wide selection of drinks available. Friday is usually the night to go as each week they throw Freedom's House Party!

Website: https://freedombarsoho.com/

📍 60-66 Wardour Street, W1F 0TA

Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo)

Bars / Pubs:

Bars and pubs too have become bastions of the queer experience. Similarly to clubs, bars / pubs have a history for the queer community of spaces to socialise and find our chosen families, especially when it was illegal in the UK to be openly LGBTQ+. Here are three spaces that come highly recommended or are places I've found to be fun. 

La Camionera 

♿

Situated in Hackney, La Camionera is London's newest lesbian bar. After a viral launch which saw the streets of Broadway Market filled with London lesbians, this bar serves unique wines and cocktails and does Singles Nights every Tuesday, and a special POC Singles Night every first Tuesday of the month. My friends haven't made the journey there yet but is certainly on a bucket list of places to go. 

Website: https://www.lacamionera.com/

📍 243 Well Street, E9 6RG 

Nearest station: Homerton (Mildmay)

The Rising 

♿

Instagram - risingse1

Only a stone's throw away from Sidney Webb Halls, this newly renovated LGBTQ+ pub hosts a variety of nights. From drag shows to pub quizzes, this pub has become a firm favourite of my friend group and it stocks a variety of unique beers and wines. 

Website: https://www.therisingse1.com/

📍 98 Harper Road, SE1 6AQ

Nearest station: Elephant and Castle (Bakerloo)

Retro Bar

Instagram - the_retro_bar

This small but intimate bar is right round the corner from LSE on Strand! Adorned with framed photos of queer icons on the walls, feel free to pick your favourite 80s classics from a record player inside. This bar offers all different types of drinks and even serves cocktails too!

Website: https://www.retrobarlondon.co.uk/london

📍2 George Ct, WC2N 6HH

Nearest station: Charing Cross (Northern)

Non-Alcoholic Spaces:

I'm aware so far that these places have been very alcohol-centred. So I wanted to list three spaces where drinking isn't the focus! 

The Common Press

♿ (only ground floor)

A queer, intersectional bookshop in the heart of Shoreditch, The Common Press is a radical space that champions authors from marginalised backgrounds. This space is not only a bookshop, as it also holds events such as dance classes, workshops and parties. A short walk away from Brick Lane, me and one of my best mates stopped in here for a coffee after shopping and found a diverse range of books, including novels and books by Palestinian authors. 

Website: https://www.commonpress.co.uk/

📍 118 Bethnal Grn Road, London E2 6DG

Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street (Windrush)

LGBTQ+ Community Centre

(Instagram - ldnlgbtqcentre)

♿

Located right next to Bankside Halls and the Tate Modern, the Community Centre holds a range of events from drama to yoga to co-working. With a mission to create solace and comfort to LGBTQ+ Londoners following the pandemic, this space is now a permanent fixture of the queer London experience. 

Website: https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/

📍 60-62 Hopton Street, Blackfriars, SE1 9JH, London

Nearest station: Blackfriars (Circle and District lines)

Gay's The Word

♿

Gay's The Word is the world's oldest LGBTQ+ bookshop, solidifying it as a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ community. Formed by a group of radical gay socialists in 1979, this business channels all profits back into the business which allows it to hold events such as book launches and panel discussions. It's also a 5-10 minute walk from LSE's Passfield Hall!

Website: https://www.gaystheword.co.uk/

📍 Temporarily at 58-60 Marchmont Street due to renovations but usually at 66 Marchmont Street

Nearest station: Russell Square (Piccadilly)