Gay dating: The best gay bars around the UK

What are the best gay bars in the UK? Here's our recommendations for gay bars in the UK...

Gay dating in Manchester

With its own Gay Village, Manchester is a hot spot for gay dating. Expect a friendly atmosphere and a buzzing night life. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Lammars
Just across from the Gay Village this once hidden gem has been voted best bar in Manchester for two years in a row. Named after the infamous Manchester drag queen Frank ‘Foo Foo’ Lammar, this bar is full of character, with crushed velvet couches and styling which will delight any visitor, gay or straight.

Tribeca
Featuring a lounge bar with real beds, this Manhattan-style gay bar is buzzing with Sex and the City style and softly lit with a sultry feel. Good value drinks and nibbles add to its appeal, and champagne cocktails for £5 are a must for a fun Saturday night.

Company Bar
If house music and muscular men float your boat then this basement bar could be the one for you. With a cosy, welcoming atmosphere and a mixed crowd, this could well be the scene for some fun-filled dating.

Gay dating in Brighton

Brighton has often been christened the gay capital of England, and not without good reason. This seaside town oozes charm and character and offers a multitude of great venues for gay dating.

Legends Bar & Basement Club
Seated below Legends Hotel, this stylish bar/club has two floors. A stylish bar with a twinkly ceiling that offers sea views from its beach facing terrace and a basement nightclub with a range of club nights. Best of all, entry is free, and it’s open 7 days a week.

Charles Street
This is one of Brighton’s busiest gay bars with a chic clientele and plenty of drinks and cocktails on offer. Located near most of the clubs and night spots, this is a fun, friendly place to begin a night, especially if you’re thinking of combining your date with a club or two.

The Marlborough
Across from the Brighton Pavilion, this bar is popular with lesbian crowds but also welcomes mixed or gay clientele and has a laid back, unpretentious atmosphere. With a small theatre and a café to boot, this quirky bar will appeal to fans of culture-packed dating.

Gay dating in London

Last but not least, with one of the world’s most varied and lively gay scenes, London is great choice for gay dating. From the streets of Soho to South London, there is something for everyone in this capital city.

Compton’s of Soho
This long established gay bar is a favourite of Soho’s socialites and was around before any of the bars in the Soho area. Its upstairs section, with traditional décor and chandeliers, is ideal for getting to know one another gay dates where you want to be able to hear your partner talk without the club atmosphere.

First Out
This is a gay friendly café bar with a difference. The eclectic crowd and vegetarian/vegan menu makes First Out a great place for day time dates. You can also catch exhibitions by gay and lesbian artists from time to time. For the ladies, there’s also the ‘Girl Fridays’ night which runs every Friday in the basement bar.

Friendly Society
One for the hipsters, this charismatic bar has retro relics and kitsch ornaments galore. With an L shaped layout there’s also a quieter corner for dates to sit and sip a tipple or two.