BUTCH LONDON

Yes, we all love us a bit of ‘Locomotion’ every now and then. But even Kylie’s gone all super-girly on us now with her latest single, ‘Flower’! This means one thing: it’s time to ditch the glow-sticks, bitches, and butch-up!

Oh yes, put that checked shirt on, let the stubble grow out, splash on some Brut (OK, so maybe leave the Brut) and get your horny, hairy butt down to one of these testosterone-packing gay venues and cruise your arse off… *

(*Just don’t forget to Sky+ X Factor before you head out)
 


 

XXL
Pulse, 1 Invicta Plaza, London Bridge, SE1 9UF

Whether you’re a bear, or a Goldilocks (i.e. you just wanna get into their beds) XXL is the place to go. Over the years it has become more than just a bear club and now attracts a whole range of guys that want something a little less ‘sparkly’. Don’t get us wrong, there’s still plenty enough bears for a good picnic, but, if you like smaller packages, you can also find cubs, otters, even a hot scally, muscle boy and the odd Soho Mary looking for something different. With a friendly vibe, top music and an always-fun atmosphere, XXL is generally one of the best clubs in Londontown for getting your nightlife on!

Mark Ames, promoter 

What does XXL offer ‘butch men’?

A place for men to be men with other men – it’s quintessentially manly.

How have gay men rediscovered the term ‘butch’, i.e. a straight guy’s take on the phrase would probably not apply to a stereotypical perception of gay men.  

Straight guys are following the gay manly trend of being butch and deviating away from the [highly groomed] metrosexual look that has influenced them over the years – blokes will be blokes.

Can you be a butch gay man but still dance with your hands in the air to a stompin’ Britney remix?

You can be whatever you want to be as long as you’re happy!

Which famous celebrity is your ideal ‘butch guy’?

Ray Winstone – grrrrrrrr!
 


EAGLE LONDON
349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY

Like its brothers in Dallas, New York and L.A., Eagle London has returned to its roots, as a men-only cruise bar. Monday to Thursday, from 9pm, Eagle London dim the lights and turn on the sexy music, pulling in men that want to get to know some other men a little better.

Simon Kilner, Promoter

What makes Eagle the perfect ‘butch’ guy’s club?

The Eagle is a club for everyone, whether you consider yourself ‘butch’ or not. In terms of the ambience and feel of the venue it’s a manly, cruisy space, more rough and ready than glamour and glitz during the week. With its pool table and plenty of man-on-man action there is a definite hum of testosterone in the air. During the week and especially on Fridays at Tonker, Eagle attracts a grizzly burly blokey crowd of bears in rugby shirts and a ‘guy next door’ kinda crowd, men who are confident with being masculine gay men.

How have gay men rediscovered the term ‘butch’?

I’m not sure gay men have re-discovered ‘butch’ as there have always been plenty of masculine gay guys around. The constant media portrayal of camp, fashion obsessed bitchy gay men obviously doesn’t represent all the gay males out there; unfortunately I think this is one of the reasons for all the internal homophobia from gay men against effeminate gays. I think a true masculine gay guy is totally comfortable with his sexuality, his masculinity and with his fellow gays whoever they are and however they want to live their lives. Its someone who is not afraid to camp it up as they don’t need to prove their masculinity to anyone.

Can you be a butch guy and still slip on a wig and dance away to Donna Summer?

Hello? Have you been to Horse Meat Disco on a Sunday night? [Laughs] Some of the butch’est gay men I’ve ever met have been drag queens!
 


MANBAR
79 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0BN 

London’s newest gay bar opened this week, at the location that was formerly 79CXR. However, it’s been given a huge re-fit by the owners of Pleasuredrome. It’s gonna be glossy but sexy, for men who like to get sweaty in clean surroundings when the music gets loud. Expect top DJs spinning current commercial and club sounds and an attitude-free hotspot right in the heart of the West End. You only have to look at the logo to know what kind of night you’re in for. Hello, sailor!

Chris Amos, Marketing Director

What makes Manbar the perfect ‘butch’ guy’s club?

Our name and logo reflect our butch image. We have even set-up the Manbar Fraternity because we celebrate brotherhood and comradery and what it is to be a man.

What does being butch mean to gay men?

‘Butch’ for gay men doesn’t have to be about walking like you just rode a horse – but it certainly helps! It’s about being proud like a lion of who you are, not being afraid to show your feelings, being ambitious, looking after yourself and loved ones. Be a man.

Is being camp bad? Or can we be both butch and camp?

Camp could never ever be bad, it is to colourful, fun and creative to ever be a bad thing. I think most people have a bit of camp and butch inside them.

Which famous person is the ideal ‘Manbar butch guy’?

Marlon Brando and James Dean come to mind. Classic, legendary and doesn’t mind a bit of man-on-man action every now and then.

WIN!
Two lucky readers can win a guest list for them and three of their mates to the official launch party of Manbar on Thursday 8th November. Simply send an email to [email protected] by midday on Monday 5th November. Winners chosen at random and notified by email. Good luck!
 


COMPTONS OF SOHO
53 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 6HN

When the Soho rag dolls turn into fully-fledged teddy bears then Comptons of Soho is the place they flock to. Comptons is a man’s pub serving beer and roast dinners and in the evening the lower floor has more of a cruisy feel, as it’s muscly/butch/furry/blokey patrons and their admirer’s underwear begs to fall with the sun.

Neil Hodgson, General Manager

Why do you think Comptons attracts a butcher crowd than other places in Soho?

I would rather use the word ‘regular kind of guy’ as opposed to ‘butch.’  Comptons is an institution that was created by the type of clientele that frequented the venue. Back in the early 80s, it was very much associated with cropped haired guys and those with tattoos, goatees, beards or mustaches, as was the fashion back in those days. Many gay skinhead groups also utilized Comptons as a meeting place. Today, that type of customer remains our core customer, however I believe that Comptons is at the heart of Gay Soho, and attracts a diverse cross section of the gay community. We welcome everyone!

Which famous person is your ideal ‘butch guy’?

Dermot O’Leary, as I don’t think you get more regular than him. You can still be a regular kind of guy, yet remain in touch with your feminine side.
 


DISH
East Bloc, 214-217 City Road, EC1V 1JN

Serving up cutting edge DJs who push the boundaries of homoxual-leaning music and attracting plenty of laddish hotties through the doors of East Bloc, Dish attracts the blokier clientele of the Shoreditch scene, going for a more overtly sexual vibe and worshipping all things ‘man’!

Tom Stephan, Promoter

What makes Dish the perfect ‘butch’ guy’s club? 

It’s dark and sweaty with lots of flesh on display. Lots of beards, moustaches, and hairy chests and tattoos, too.

Do East London ‘butch’ gays have a different ‘twist’ to them, in terms of style, behaviour, music tastes?

East London butch gays can blend. Beards and plaid shirts are camouflage in Shoreditch, and they’re unlikely to answer to “Clang Clang Clang went the trolley”. They are next to you on the bus, cruising you in the supermarket, and, when you least expect, they will attack! Their natural habitat is east London but they have been sighted traveling in groups to Berlin. They say things like “Grrr!” and “Hawt!” and while they may listen to Lana Del Rey during the day, at night it’s all about underground house and techno.
 


THE KINGS ARMS
23 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 8QL

A more traditional, friendly pub in Soho with a wide choice of beers from bottled lager to real cask ales, and from ciders to shooters that’ll put (more) hair on your chest. They’re one of the most popular bear pubs in London, and features a sexy soundtrack at weekends and serves up theme nights and quizzes during the week. Grrrrrr!

Jamie Baker, General Manager
Mark Coulstock, Assistant Manager

What makes The Kings Arms the perfect butch guy’s bar?

Jamie: Over 30 years ago the pub was always known as a “gentleman’s” bar. It still is. The beary crowd here are relaxed and friendly with no attitude or affectation.

Is being camp bad? Or can we be both butch and camp?

Mark: No, it isn’t bad at all. Anyway who are you calling camp, dear? You can be both and have fun with it. You have been here haven’t you?

Which famous celebrity is the ideal Kings Arms guy?

Jamie: Bruce Willis and Terry Hollands’ lovechild would do for us.
 


BAR BERLIN
Railway Arches 47b and 47c, South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1RH.

Bar Berlin isn’t just for blokes, it’s for blokes on the dark side, and we’re talking sex, not Star Wars. It’s the only men-only fetish bar in Vauxhall and brings the vibe of our kinky brothers in Berlin to London. As well as a bar, there’s a wet zone and a sneaker and sox play pit. Kinky and manly!

Armin of Berlin, Host

What makes Bar Berlin the perfect butch bloke’s club?

Simple. It’s sexy. It’s male. And it’s cruisy and horny as hell! Macho heaven so to speak.

SBN is now weekly, too. You don’t get more blokey than stripping off and seeing other guys in all their naked glory! How would you describe a night at the club to a SBN virgin?

That’s right mate. We have a fab new men-only naked party called SBN AFTERDARK every Saturday night. And to all SBN virgins I would say: It’s fun! It’s sexy. It’s friendly. Oh, and forget about your virginity. It’s overrated.

Bar Berlin is also right next door to The Hoist. What is it about leather, rubber and gay men?

Leather and rubber brings out the beast in men!

Which celebrity is the venue’s ideal guy?

Ideal ‘Hoist’ guy is Jason Stratham. Ideal ‘Bar Berlin’ guy is Jason Stratham in leather.
 


BARCODE
Arch 69 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7TP
Every Friday

For hot men who ‘love’ hot men in tracksuit bottoms. No need to spend ages putting on a tan, starching a shirt or shining shoes; Fitladz is for guys to come as they are, whether that’s straight from the building site or straight from JD Sports (to straight down your trousers).  There’s a dark room upstairs, new drink promotions every week and house sounds provided by DJs PJay and Pete Blakely. And if you’re measuring at 8 inches or above, it’s completely free entry. 12 inches above and you get a free drink – those Fitladz guys are getting greedy!

Plus, every Thursday, Contact at Barcode serves up a weekly cruise session with large dark room, horny house beats and plenty of up-for-it lads – from 10pm to 3am.
 


COME 2 DADDY @ UNDERGROUND CLUB
37 Wharfdale Road, King’s Cross, N1 9SD

Come 2 Daddy is held every Thursday at Central Station in Kings Cross. It’s a men only, attitude-free night and everyone is welcome, as long as you’re male; boasting a crowd of all shapes, sizes and ages.
 


THE VAULT
139-143 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN

A seriously men-only zone, this is a place for guys to chill, booze and cruise, with an array of theme parties such as ‘stripped’, ‘cruise’, ‘underwear’ and more. It attracts a wide variety of guys all looking for some ‘male bonding’ and opens daily from 1pm to 1am, with a free drink and coat check included in the entry price.
 


TED’S PLACE
305a North End Road, Fulham, W14 9NS

For that don’t just associate going West with the Pet Shop Boys, there’s Ted’s Place in Fulham. On Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays and Fridays it’s men-only cruise night, with Tuesdays being underwear or naked only. It’s cheap entry, cheap drinks and men thrown in for free.
 


BACKSTREET
Wentworth Mews, Mile End, E3

For the geezers from East (Geasters? Errr… no!) we present Backstreet. It’s open from Thursday to Sunday to guys that fancy a cruise and, with a fully stocked bar, some booze (no cosmopolitans here). Check website for individual nights’ dress codes.
 


SAUNAS

Most definitely fitting into the ‘men only’ category, it might not be all ‘butch’ fellas in these venues, but it’s definitely a place a meet and cruise guys… and to take socialising that little bit further than you can in most bars and clubs… 😉

PLEASUREDROME
Arch 124 Cornwall Road (corner of Alaska Street), Waterloo, SE1 8XE.

This is the sauna that never closes – there’s always someone up for it – open 24/7 for your pleasure, whatever that may be! There’s a spa, sauna and steam room – each with room for up to nineteen men, plus you. If you prefer one-on-one then there’s plenty of private and deluxe private rooms. Expect men in just towels galore, a sultry soundtrack – who knows who you’ll meet!
 


CHARIOTS
Shoreditch
, 1 Fairchild Street, EC2
Vauxhall: Arches 63-64, Albert Embankment SE1 5AW
Waterloo: 101 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1 7AB
Limehouse: 574 Commercial Rd, E14 7JD
Streatham: 292 (rear of) Streatham High Rd, London SW16 6HG

This chain of saunas has five locations across central London; Shoreditch, Waterloo, Limehouse, Streatham and Vauxhall – the two most popular being Shoreditch and Vauxhall, and the Shoreditch venue is the biggest gay sauna in the UK. They’re based on traditional Roman baths, with all the usual features of a sauna but bigger and better. There are variations between venues, but you can be sure of private rooms, Jacuzzis, video screens, private cabins, saunas, steam rooms and much more.
 


SAUNA BAR
29 Endell Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9BA

Sauna Bar is Covent Garden’s premier gay and bisexual spa. This central sauna boasts stone-effect walls, sumptuous sofas and a steam room, sauna and wet room in luxurious surroundings. Best of all, it has a bar! So you can literally fall out the Soho drinking dens and into this sauna if you haven’t picked up some hot stallion yet.
 


SWEATBOX
Ramillies House 1-2 Ramillies St. Soho London W1F 7LN

Is it a gym? Is it a sauna? It’s both… and so much more! This men only space is the closest sauna to the Soho bars, so attracts a very diverse crowd with ‘Hard up Mondays’ and discount entry for under 25s every night. Two subterranean levels offer low-lit and sexy hot rooms, steam rooms and a maze of inventively designed private cabins, play-spaces, dungeon room, video screens and Jacuzzi. They also offer massages and there are regular Ibiza-style foam parties.
 


STEAMWORKS
309 New Cross Road, SE14 6AS

Just a stone-throw from New Cross station this sauna attracts all kinds of people from students from the nearby university to the older gentlemen, although a majority of the crowd tends to be thirty plus. There’s plenty of fun to be had on site, and with no private rooms this place is ideal for the exhibitionist.

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