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Holiday Hotspots for Gay Women Visiting the UK

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If you’re planning a visit to the UK this spring, you’ll want to know what the friendliest cities for gay women are, so who better to ask than a gay woman from Britain?

As lesbian bars are closing down at breakneck speed on both sides of the Atlantic and -let’s face it- the majority of gay hotspots catered to gay men in the first place; we’re not left with a lot of options. On this list, where a specifically lesbian bar is not available, I have chosen a bar which is open to all LGBT people.

Let’s delve right into the best places for women who love women to hang out while in the UK. This article will focus on events and activities that cater specifically to lesbian/bi women, so while you can still ride the London Eye, visit the Beatles Museum or shop at the Trafford Centre, they won’t be included below. London

She Solo/ Courtesy of R. Burgess

As with any large city, London is multicultural, diverse, and sort of a haven for gay people. Here, no one cares who you’re dating, just as long as you don’t dawdle on the Tube platforms.

If you’re looking for good nightlife, your best bets are Soho, an area famed for scandal and sex, or East London, an up and coming area for lesbian nightlife. However, London is also one of the best places to find art and culture in the whole of the UK, even when you step away from the world-famous museums, like the British Museum. Bars She Soho: This basement bar is a great place to hang out with your girlfriends during the week, or enjoy live music, DJs and comedy shows at the weekend. They also have regular burlesque and drag king cabaret nights.

G-A-Y Bar: This is a place for pop music, lots of dancing and cheap drinks (for London). It’s open until midnight but if you’re still partying, you can take a short walk to G-A-Y Late which is open until 3.30 am.

Getty Cultural Activities Gay’s The Word: The UK’s only lesbian and gay specialist book shop, founded in 1979. Granted, it isn’t as old as some stateside bookstores. On Wednesday evenings, they even hold a lesbian discussion group, encouraging debate on assorted topics from open relationships, to kinky sex & feminism, to anger as a force for good.

Sutton House: The National Trust made waves earlier this year by acknowledging and showcasing the importance of LGBTQ+ people to the history of Britain- like we’ve actually been here all along or something. Sutton House is holding a Summer of Empowerment (26 July to 3 September) to celebrate art and activism from the LGBT community; then in October, they are hosting a memorial to lost spaces for LGBT people in London, called Save the Last Dance: Memorials to Lost, Legendary Nights Out.

Belfast

Statue of Lenin outside The Kremlin/ Courtesy of Rossographer

Belfast does not have the best lesbian scene. In fact, it doesn’t have any exclusively lesbian bars, which is shocking until you realize that Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is still not legal #ThanksReligion. It does, however, have a special place in its heart for the queer arts (like the dark arts but with rainbow colors). Bars Kremlin: This Soviet Russia-themed dance club caters to all LGBT people. It’s basically three clubs in one, with a two-level disco bar, a stylish cocktail bar and a two-level club arena inside. They regularly have live musical performances from 80s starlets and X Factor contestants and host theme nights like Vegas Casino or the Goscars (That’s Gay Oscars).

Getty Cultural Activities Queen’s Film Theatre: This independent theatre in University Square is not your typical cinema; preferring to show LGBT-themed movies (or those with LGBT actors) and becoming involved the Belfast Pride Fest.

They are currently showing Personal Shopper, a horror movie starring Kristen Stewart, and St Joan, a live broadcast from the National Theatre, starring British actress, Gemma Arterton.

Outburst Queer Arts Festival: This annual festival is 10 days of celebrating art of all kinds made by LGBT people. It mixes art with activism in order to shake up the status quo, bringing our rights to the foreground of the picture.

Last year’s festival focused on the subject of home; from what it means to young people who may have been forced from their parent’s house upon coming out to what it means to people who have to fight for their right to get married, have children and make a home for themselves.

While they have not yet released the dates for the 2017 Outburst festival, it looks set to be in the autumn.

Brighton

The Marlborough/ Courtesy of J. Linwood

Ah Brighton, one of the most accepting cities in the whole of the UK: It’s almost like the British answer to Portland, OR. This seaside city has a laidback vibe with a large artist community and a high concentration of gay people, but it’s not all vegan cafes and sunbathing; Brighton residents also like to party until the sun comes up. Bars Bulldog Bar: This high-energy bar draws in the party crowds every day of the week; its main events are cabaret nights, karaoke battles and drag competitions. Not the best choice for a quiet drink, but definitely one for anyone who wants to celebrate.

Club Revenge: Another one for party lovers, Club Revenge is a high-octane three-floor venue famous for its foam parties, UV parties and theme nights like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Located right on the beach, you can take a break from the celebrations by chilling out next to the pier; just stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking. Cultural Activities The Marlborough Pub and Theatre: This historic lesbian pub, near the Royal Pavilion, has a small theatre upstairs for the thespians. First opened in 1794, this pub has a varied history from a meeting place for the Gay Liberation Front to a haunted pub.

It is currently run by Community Interest Company Marlborough Productions, who work to put on unique shows about contemporary life. Production Company Pink Fringe, who specialize in theatre and cultural events, also work within the Marlborough Theatre

Manchester

Vanilla Nightclub/ Courtesy of Mikey

The Manchester gay scene is mainly centered along Canal Street (whose sign is sometimes vandalised to read ‘anal treet’) and the Gay Village, which was featured in the original British TV show Queer as Folk.

Manchester has one of the largest gay communities in the country and is the birthplace of many LGBT rights organisations, including the Queer Youth Alliance and the Lesbian & Gay Foundation.

Bars

Vanilla: This female only bar, described as “the lesbian mecca of the north” has won the coveted title of Best Bar in the UK from European lesbian magazine, Diva, many times over the past twenty years. It champions lesbian culture, not only in Manchester but throughout the UK. While it may look tame from the outside, don’t be deceived; it’s a rave behind the cottage bricks.

The Molly House: This delightfully eccentric pub in the heart of the Gay Village, concentrates on serving authentic Spanish and South American tapas and real ale.

Getty Cultural Activities People’s History Museum: This museum is dedicated to people changing the world, inspiring the activists of tomorrow by showcasing the fights of yesteryear. This summer features several exhibitions dedicated to our struggles including:

  • Love is Not a Crime: 10 years of the Lesbian Immigration Support Group
  • Never Going Underground: The fight for LGBT+ rights: A unique exhibition curated by members of the local LGBT+ community
  • Queer Noise: The History of LGBT+ Music & Club Culture in Manchester
 

So, what do you think? Will you be visiting any of these places this summer? Are there any hotspots that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below.

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