Vauxhall, the other gay village

Oct. 18 2013

by Laurence Ogiela / TÊTU

at first glance, when you come out of the Vauxhall subway station, the area doesn't look like much. Usually, one ventures into the area to admire the incredible collection of British classical painters, from Gainsborough to Turner, at the Tate Britain just across the Thames. Or to work out at the Paris Gym, long the only exclusively gay sports club in London.

But if there's not much going on during the day, the neighborhood comes alive at night when all the gay bars and clubs open their doors. Most of them are located right next to the subway and under the red brick arches of the train tracks. Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), Area, Barcode, Eagle, Fire, The Hoist..

In a few years, Vauxhall has become the favorite clubbing place for London gays. Bears, leather, cabaret, house, techno or afters, the party is in full swing from Monday to Sunday

each day of the week has its own party (see next page). Vauxhall is also home to one of the most popular saunas in the gay community, Chariots. It's the place to come to relax after a night of intense clubbing or while waiting for the first subway

Alternatively, you can walk back along the banks of the Thames to Westminster and Big Ben, a 25-minute walk away. Just to go from London clubbing to London of the Queen...

Where to go out ?
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
This 19th century pub is the epicenter of Vauxhall. People come here to drink pints and laugh at the half-burlesque, half-Ab Fab shows of drag-queens, each more delirious than the other. RVT was voted best London cabaret this year, and no one would miss the S.L.A.G.S / Chill Outtea-dance on Sunday afternoon and the D.E. Experience show.
372 Kennington Lane.
http://www.rvt.org.uk/

Eagle London
Leather and bear bar, Eagle hosts the Triga Porn night on Thursday in cooperation with the porn label Triga, and especially the Horse Meat Disco night on Sunday, with an improbable mix of gym-queens, bears, pussycats and handsome guys who come to sway to the hip mixes.
349 Kennington Lane
www.eaglelondon.com

Area
This huge club with 4 dance rooms and 6 bars hosts the Onyx party on Friday and the Beyond after party on Sunday morning. Go-gos to fall and sound system to explode your eardrums.
67 Albert Embankment

Fire
One of London's best gay clubs with famous DJs and handsome guys. don't miss the Gravity party on Thursday and the A:M after party on Saturday morning.
South Lambeth Road
www.fireclub.co.uk

Where to EAT
Brunswick House Café
Halfway between a flea market and a theater stage, the room looks like a flea market with its eclectic mix of wooden banquettes, leather chairs and dozens of light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. As for the cuisine, it's a clever fusion of very British specialties based on fresh products and Mediterranean influences.
30 Wandsworth Road
www.brunswickhousecafe.com

Main photo: Laurence Ogiela