Get involved in the LGBTQ scene without breaking the bank!

Being LGBTQ+ in London is great: it’s such a vibrant scene, and there is always a fun event happening or a great night out to plan. But it can also be challenging when your budget is a little bit tighter or you simply want to try something different, as events are often expensive and the amount of information can be slightly overwhelming. But never fear! I have done my research, and I’m here to give you a few pointers on how to try new things and get social with your community in London without breaking the bank (or necessarily getting drunk).

Staying informed about events 🏳️‍🌈

If you’re like me, the amount of Instagram accounts you need to follow to know about what’s happening can get a bit much. If you want to know about cool events without cluttering your social media feeds too much, here are three resources I have personally found to be helpful!

For a more corporate, conventional approach (meaning night outs and shows), you can head to OutSavvy, a handy website that platforms queer events across the country. If your vibe is more community-led, you can use QROWD. These platforms advertise night outs, but not only that: you can also find out about art events or even queer-inclusive sports events.

Not all the events on these websites are free (or even cheap) but they offer handy filtering tools to help you manage your budget - and avoid getting frustrated by seeing events you can’t really afford. And, a nice touch: they bring an intersectional vibe to the party by also platforming events meant specifically for LGBTQ+ people of colour or disabled people.

A few ideas of LGBTQ+ places and events to check out (on your next free day) 🏳️‍🌈

And now it’s the part where I give you my own recommendations! Fair warning, I am not big on bars and nights out, so these are all more daytime activities. But in my opinion, it’s super interesting to explore what cultural projects the LGBTQ+ community is building - and there is such a wide variety of them, so this is far from an exhaustive list!

Queer Britain

If you’re interested in finding out about the life and times of the British queer community, the National LGBTQ+ museum in Granary Square is a good place to start! They hold a variety of exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. They also organise plenty of more fun-oriented things - they have been organising the queer night of the free Summer Sounds music festival in King’s Cross for the past three years.

The museum is currently under refurbishment, until the end of January.

-> Where: 2 Granary Square (near King’s Cross station)
-> How much: the entry fee is on a pay what you can basis, from £0 to £10. Other events may be ticketed, but they always accommodate smaller budgets.

The Arzner (LGBTQ+ cinema)

The Arzner is a cinema that specialises in queer films, which is very cool. Their programme is very wide, with big releases like Wicked, smaller independent films, animation, and plenty of seasonal films (cosy queer Christmas film anyone?) A very nice place if you want to discover different films from the one that are usually shown in larger cinemas!

-> Where: 10 Bermondsey Square (near Tower Bridge)
-> How much: concession tickets are usually only £6 - quite cheap for London!

London LGBTQ+ Community Centre

Community centres are a good way to get involved in inclusive activities and spaces, and meeting people of all walks of life in a more relaxed space. The London Community Centre is, of course, no exception! It is open for walk-ins a lot of the time if you want to relax in an inclusive space - they even have a small, free library and very cheap tea and coffee. And of course, if you want to meet more people in your community and do something fun, they hold many events and groups, like yoga, writing and book clubs… They also offer a co-working space on Wednesdays if you want a change of scene from the library. This is the best place to go if you’re feeling isolated as an LGBTQ+ person in London!

-> Where: 60-62 Hopton St. (near the Tate Modern)
-> How much: the centre itself is free to access. The events are often free/pay what you can. Some may be a bit more expensive, but if the price is an issue for you, you can email the centre directly.

As I said, this is non-exhaustive list, of course. London is a big city, there is something for everyone and for every budget here - you are sure to find something to suit your tastes!