Gaylavanting in London
By Mar Nur
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2009

GAY TOUR. The author, Mar Nur, enjoys the sights and sounds of beauteous London - all gay, and, well, G-A-Y.

OF A QUEEN AND OF QUEENS. The author visits the queen (well, at least her and her prince's replicas), and a queen; just as he enjoys London's streets.

First stop: London. 

Suffice to say, I should have been very excited to be arriving in this chaotic yet captivating city; but I was suffering from a bout of tonsillitis, so I had my apprehensions.  After checking in at the Piccadilly Circus Backpackers (£12 for a dorm), I asked the reception for the nearest doctor, and I was directed to Soho NHS Walk-in Centre at Soho Square.  Along the way, I could not be bothered stopping and being awed by famous theaters in the West End, showcasing popular musicals and plays.  Even the big naked picture of Daniel Radcliffe did not stop me.  Reserve it for another day. I was probably dying, and I needed my dose of antibiotics.  Thankfully, I managed to get the last appointment for the day.

Fast forward several days and I was in tip top shape to experience what London has to offer this gay backpacker – and London is just full of it, with a venue for every type of likes and kinks. 

Most guys hang around Soho, Covent Garden and Vauxhall.  In Soho, I hung around  GAY Bar, GAY Late, and the famous GAY Astoria (now closed) which boasts of international acts every now and then, all for a normal cover charge.  Sisters Kylie and  Danii Minogue have graced this space several times, as well as Darren Hayes, George Michael, and many more.  Thus, understandably, heaps of twinkies and preppy guys frequent GAY. 

While there, the norm for me was to start in GAY Bar and get sloshed in their £6 jug cocktails.  No one really picks up in this place since everyone just wants to chill and catch up with their friends while listening to cheesy pop tunes.  Once it closes at around 12 midnight, most will party the night away in GAY Late, where you can get in for £2, and where drinks are cheap.  A lot of flirting, kissing and picking up happens in this venue since most will have consumed a lot of alcohol by the time they get in it, and it’s getting late so everyone is upping the ante in their game.

This venue has been responsible for me not getting home, countless hangovers, and waking up next to guys with gorgeous accents.

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