The best LGBTQ+ places to visit in the UK

10 Jun 2021

We've put together a selection of the best LGBTQ+ places to visit in the UK, where you can explore the local area, enjoy a romantic meal, and unwind in the evening at fantastic bars and pubs.

Scroll down to find out more, or check out our hotels in the UK & Ireland, or our things to do in the UK.

London

  • The Pride in London festival will take place on 11 September, 2021, with over 300 magnificent floats and free live music
  • Head to Old Compton Street in Soho for bars and clubs for everyone under the rainbow. For cheap drinks, visit G-A-Y Bar; mingle with the locals at Comptons of Soho, which has been open for over 30 years; or check out She Soho, Old Compton Street's first lesbian bar, where you can watch live music and stand-up comedy
  • Visit Vauxhall, in south London, for its buzzing party scene, including magnificent party nights at the men-only Eagle London and wild cabaret and club nights at Royal Vauxhall Tavern
  • Chill out in in east London at Dalston Superstore, a café-bar, art gallery, and club, or The Queen Adelaide bar

Brighton

  • Britain's unofficial LGBTQ+ capital, Brighton has the highest number of same-sex households
  • Bears and cubs can let loose at Brighton Bear Weekend, held from 17-20 June, 2021, with a range of pub events, picnics, and parties
  • Brighton Pride, a 2-day extravaganza, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2021 and will be held from 7-8 August
  • Take the Piers & Queers Tour to walk in the footsteps of the likes of Lord Byron, Oscar Wilde, Dusty Springfield, and other notable LGBTQ+ people
  • Brighton's gay scene is mainly found around St James's Street in the Kemp Town neighbourhood, where you'll find traditional pubs such as The Camelford Arms, as well as bars like The Bulldog, which is also the oldest gay bar in Brighton. For three floors of clubbing fun, check out The Revenge

Manchester

  • Manchester Pride encompasses lots of events, including Superbia Weekend, the Gay Village Party, Manchester Pride Parade, and much more. It'll be held 27-30 August
  • Sparkle, the national transgender celebration weekend, will be held online 9-11 July
  • Visit Sackville Park to see the memorial to Alan Turing, the creator of modern computing
  • Manchester's Gay Village on Canal Street is where you'll find old institutions such as Via, as well as G-A-Y bar's northern counterpart — G-A-Y Manchester. Meanwhile, Churchill's hosts cabaret and drag shows, Vanilla is one of the city's best lesbian bars, and Cruz 101 is the village's largest dance club

Cardiff

  • Cardiff's Iris Prize Festival will be held from 5-10 October, 2021, and is an LGBTQ+ film festival. There will be international film screenings, panel discussions, and parties throughout
  • Though small, Cardiff's LGBTQ+ scene is fierce and is in the city centre around Charles Street and Churchill Way. Check out The Golden Cross, a historic Grade II-listed pub with karaoke and cabaret, or visit The Main Stage Cabaret Bar for amazing drag acts
  • Wander around Cardiff and Cardiff Bay to admire some of the filming locations for "Doctor Who", which was revived in 2005 by Russell T Davies, who is also famous for "Queer as Folk" and "It's a Sin"

Edinburgh

  • The world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival is back, running from 3-30 August, 2021, and will be packed with all manner of shows, including theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, musical, opera, and more
  • Head to Edinburgh's Pink Triangle at the north end of Leith Street and Broughton Street to explore the city's vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Edinburgh's oldest gay bar, CC Blooms, is the place to go for cocktails and all-night dancing, whereas Regent Bar is best for low-key pints and delicious meals. If you need more karaoke in your life, Planet Bar is the place to be
  • Make your way up Calton Hill to admire sweeping views across the city from Arthur's Seat, and enjoy a picnic while you're at the top

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