Old Compton Street — Soho Queer Heartland
gay-heritage Verificato da GayOut

Old Compton Street — Cuore gay di Soho

Heritage Trail 1976 Still active

La spina dorsale della vita notturna gay nel cuore di Soho fin dalla metà degli anni '70 — sede del memoriale del bombardamento del pub Admiral Duncan del 1999 e degli attraversamenti arcobaleno tutto l'anno.

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Visitors praise Old Compton Street for being an iconic spot for a beer with good music and a welcoming atmosphere, especially upstairs for people-watching. However, multiple reviews highlight issues with staff and security, including being refused service, treated unwelcomingly if not presenting as a gay man, and long waits to be served.

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53-55 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 6HN, UK

Hotel vicino a Old Compton Street — Cuore gay di Soho

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Hotel vicino a Old Compton Street — Cuore gay di Soho
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Su questo posto Old Compton Street — Cuore gay di Soho

Old Compton Street si estende per sei isolati nel centro di Soho ed è la spina dorsale della vita notturna queer di Londra dal circa 1976, quando il Golden Lion al numero 51 divenne il primo pub gay apertamente commercializzato del quartiere. Dalla metà degli anni '80 la strada ospitava Comptons, l'Admiral Duncan, Balans, Bar Italia (adiacente al mondo queer) e una mezza dozzina di altri indirizzi; negli anni '90 era il centro riconosciuto a livello internazionale della vita gay londinese, paragonabile a Christopher Street o Le Marais. Il giorno peggiore della strada fu il 30 aprile 1999. Un neonazista di nome David Copeland piazzò una bomba a chiodi all'interno del pub Admiral Duncan al 54 Old Compton Street; l'esplosione uccise tre persone (Andrea Dykes, Nik Moore, John Light) e ne ferì 79. Copeland aveva già bombardato Brixton e Brick Lane nei due fine settimana precedenti; seguirono la sua condanna e l'ergastolo. Una targa commemorativa e un lampadario si trovano all'interno dell'Admiral Duncan ricostruito; una targa permanente sul pavimento si trova sul marciapiede esterno. La strada è stata pedonalizzata (permanentemente) nel 2020; il Westminster Council ha installato attraversamenti pedonali arcobaleno ad entrambe le estremità nello stesso anno. Compton's of Soho al 51-53 (ricostruito sul sito del Golden Lion) è il più antico bar apertamente gay ancora operativo sulla strada. L'Admiral Duncan, il Ku Bar, il G-A-Y Bar e il Freedom Bar si trovano tutti entro 100 metri. Durante il Pride (primo sabato di luglio) la strada ospita un punto di ritrovo per gruppi più piccoli che si uniscono al percorso principale della parata. Ogni venerdì o sabato sera è densamente queer, folla mista, drink economici, in piedi sul marciapiede. Marciapiede pubblico gratuito. Meglio dopo le 21:00; il carattere è più la folla che l'architettura.

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Recensioni della community

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Community GayOut

M
Mica
Lug 2026
★★★★

Great DJs fast staff.

T
Tomy Star
Lug 2026
★★★★★

An iconic spot for a beer. On my return visit to London, I met up with friends to reminisce about years spent in this city and at this bar. 🏳️‍🌈

D
D B
Lug 2026
★★★★

Newest staff remember refused to serve me on pride day and I don’t know why she literally changed and won’t served me and I’m a regular there so really don’t understand why when I’m fine and there’s others in a state

C
Clemens Goethe
Lug 2026
★★★★

My queer friend recommended this location for us for a nice pint while in Soho - and while I was welcomed with open arms she got told off if "she knew this was a gay bar" and laughed at when she pointed out why they hang the lesbian flag if the bar is only meant for gay men. One plus point was the well organized bar if you were not treated like air if you are female.

C
Carmen Miklautsch
Lug 2026
★★★★

Gay bar apparently means just that - despite having the lesbian flag hanging on display in reality everyone not presenting as a gay man is very much unwelcome here

J
John W
Lug 2026
★★★★

Great bar. Good music and a good crowd.

M
Mark Mundee
Lug 2026
★★★★

Took 25 minutes to get served then, after 1 pint was refused entry by security for “having too much” - this bar certainly needs to hire competent security 100%

P
Peter M
Lug 2026
★★★★★

Upstairs is comfortable and welcoming. A perfect place for people watching.

C
Carl B
Lug 2026
★★★★

Me and my friends love Comptons! It’s such a n amazing place! The bar guys/girls are amazing so fast and efficient! There are few things we would like to recommend as customers! - Please have Zero Alcohol beer ( pints ) on the Tap like we have in other European countries! - Have a visible drinks menu price! A lot of people are in a tight budget or want to see prices tô make à order/ decision. - Music!!! I have been there in the afternoon and there is no music or it’s very low so the ambience becomes unattractive nor inspiring ( I don’t mean very loud music but in a good volume so people enjoy the place / music more). - The toilets need a revamp urgently, I don’t know why the new normal in pubs / bars is to have stinky old toilets. Don’t get me wrong I love Comptons and my suggestions comes from a person who loves the place and wish to see it improves. - See you later for a drink or 2! I’m not drinking alcohol at the moment I know you have bottles of alcohol free beer, what’s price? Is the same a normal price pint is it worthy? That’s one example what we need 0 alcohol beer on the tap and visible menus :) Love you guys Xxxx

D
David Grayson
Lug 2026
★★★★★

It was a Sunday but the staff was mediocre and as a tourist I felt like an outcast. Being a solo that even makes it more the case ...service was slow.

L
L L
Lug 2026
★★★★★

Fabulous place in SOHO

E
Emma Hussain
Lug 2026
★★★★

The bouncer was very rude. We came out for a vape and because he had let too many people in and it was over crowded he said we were too drunk too come back in.

W
Wayne Ferguson
Lug 2026
★★★★★

Compton's is definitely a must visit spot whenever you're in London and has become one of our go-to gay bars in the city. It has great welcoming vibe that works just as well for a relaxed daytime stop as it does for a livelier night out. During the day it's perfect for popping in for a pint and taking it easy there's a casual laid-back field that makes it feel easy to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere. Then at night the energy really picks up making it a fun place for stronger drinks socializing and soaking in the crowd. What we love most is its consistency. Whether you're stopping by for a quick drink or planning to hang out for awhile, Compton's always delivers a good time. It's friendly unpretentious and has that classic London charm that keeps us coming back every time we're in town.

M
Michael Antczak
Lug 2026
★★★★★

Always a good choice to meet other gays, Staffel is friendly Fimriday was a DJ, making lots of good Atmosphäre, always come back, met lots of nice people here

H
Hector Alejandro Garcia
Lug 2026
★★★★★

We didn't order food. Cheerful place. They just need to install air conditioning.

B
Beau Von Hoffman
Lug 2026
★★★★★

This historic and fun spot will not disappoint from Drag DJs playing Open Your Heart by Madonna to the second level look down - this place is perfect for Vodka Sodas with Line all night long! The bartenders are very funny and each night you feel included here! A Must stop for your day into night into late nights for sure!

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Last updated on 22 agosto 2026

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