Some of my favourite haunts in and around Shoreditch / Hoxton.
The Black Horse, 168 Mile End Road, E1. Tel: 020 7790 1684. Mile End tube. Mon-Thurs 8pm-1am, Fri-Sat 8pm-3am, Sun 8pm-1am. Recently refurbished, this cavernous late night bar packs them in, offering disco and top drag cabaret. Perfect if you’re hankering after a late night drink as it’s open ‘til 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bistrotheque, 23-27 Wadeson St, E2. Tel: 020 8983 7900. Bethnal Green tube. Cabaret start times vary. Great restaurant, fabulous bar and brilliant cabaret space that has become home to some of London's most interesting acts such as Jonny Woo, Tranny Lip Synching, Bear Beauty Contests and Spanky's amazing shows.
Charlie’s Bar, 124 Globe Road, E1. Tel: 020 7790 1007. Whitechapel tube. Recently refurbished Moroccan style, the bar offers food, a huge range of drinks and has a cocktail list to die for. From funky house to Greek and Turkish nights.
George & Dragon, 2-4 Hackney Road, E2. Liverpool or Old Street tube. Wicked gay friendly pub run by Warhol-esque Richardette, features Nelly's Top Forty Countdowns, trashy music, funny clothes and asymmetrical hair-do's. Rammed to the rafters, especially on Sunday!
The Joiners Arms, 116 Hackney Road, E2. Tel: 020 7739 9854. Hoxton's answer to San Francisco’s mad mash-up club, ‘The End Up’… says it all!
Red Lion, 41 Hoxton St, N1. Tel: 020 7729 6930. Old Street tube. Great little pub, attracting a mixed crowd, brimming with characters, a bubbly atmosphere, nice staff and good music - also roof terrace with Jacuzzi sporadically open. Plus, a Thai restaurant, too!
Royal Oak, 73 Columbia Rd. E2. Tel: 020 7739 8204. Liverpool Street tube. Mon-Sat 1pm-11.30pm, Sun 8am-10.30pm. Always plenty of queers here especially on a Sunday - getting sloshed the day after the night before.
The White Swan, 556 Commercial Road, E1. Tel: 020 7780 9870. Limehouse DLR. Mon 9pm-1am Tue-Thu 9pm-2am, Fri-Sat 9pm-3am, Sun 5.30pm-midnight. A legend in its own lifetime. Huge venue, steeped in history. From the alternative Windypops to the infamous Amateur Strip Contest to the Sunday Tea Dance with camp cabaret for good measure. A night out at BJ’s White Swan is always great night out.
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