This selection of sober and sober-friendly events is specially curated by Gary Albert, therapist, embodiment facilitator and creator of Pleasure Medicine, a twice monthly sensuality workshop and ecstatic dance in East London for GBTQ men.
The evolving landscape of gay events in London
London has long been celebrated for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, with iconic venues like Heaven, G-A-Y and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern forming the backbone of the community’s social life for decades. While these legendary club nights and bars continue to thrive, 2025 has seen an exciting evolution in the types of events available to gay men in the capital.
Gay Londoners are seeking diverse experiences that compliment traditional nightlife. More and more GBTQ men are seeking events that offer genuine connection, wellness, personal growth and community building in alcohol-optional or entirely substance-free environments.
Whether you’re sober-curious, tired of the typical scene or simply looking to expand your social horizons, these emerging spaces offer fresh ways to meet like-minded gay men and fellow LGBTQIA+ friends.
Here’s a specially curated guide to the most innovative gay events happening in London this year, perfect for those looking to explore beyond the familiar club circuit.
1. Pleasure Medicine: Sensuality Workshop + Ecstatic Dance for GBTQ Men
Where: Prana Voice, 4a Orsman, Dalston, London N1 5QJ, UK
When: Twice Monthly
Tickets: £15 – £20
If you are tired of the bars and the booze, the clubs and drugs, the swiping and the ghosting, then you’re not alone my friend. Across London, a growing number of gay, bi, queer and trans men are waking up to a quiet truth:
WE. WANT. MORE.
More depth, more kindness, more connection, more warmth and more spaces where our full self can exist. Where we can drop the need for a curated body shot, a witty bio or the pressure to perform and impress.
Welcome to Pleasure Medicine, a 3-hour sensuality workshop and Ecstatic Dance for GBTQ men. A place to connect, dance, express, feel your joy and reclaim your pleasure with other kind-hearted guys.
Created by therapist, conscious DJ and embodiment facilitator Gary Albert, Pleasure Medicine is fast becoming one of the most meaningful events on the sober gay calendar in East London.
Whether you’re single, partnered, wanting new friends, looking for romance or just want to be part of a brotherhood that truly has safety and love and its core, then Pleasure Medicine is for you.
What happens at Pleasure Medicine?
A body positive space, this event is carefully crafted to ease you in gently, no matter your experience, background or level of confidence.
1. Opening Circle: Start the journey by setting intentions and forming a safe, supportive group container. This is where the walls and masks begin to fall and connection begins.
2. ‘The Pleasure Portal’ 45-Minute Sensuality Workshop: You’ll explore gentle (fully clothed) sensual touch and connection practices with various men. Think hands, back, shoulders, chest and heart. Everything is optional and expertly guided with full consent, clear boundaries and loving communication. This is about reclaiming your body and learning how to receive and offer touch in a safe, heart-led way. No nudity, no pressure, just easy, tender and fun connection.
3. Ecstatic Dance: It’s time to have fun and let your dancing freak flag fly with your new found connection skills and Pleasure Pals! A 90-minute open floor dance space with a stunning live DJ set (curated by Gary himself) featuring ambient music, classical soundscapes, heart opening disco, throbbing deep house, melodic techno and tribal beats. The dance is completely wordless, inviting you to move through emotion, joy, sensuality and release. Some consider it a moving meditation.
4. Closing Circle + Sober Social: A chance to share your reflections and insights in a tender sharing circle. Followed by a relaxed sober social hangout with tea and snacks, often flowing into the nearby park, canal or cafe. This is where new friendships and chosen family begin to form.
Why Pleasure Medicine matters now
Let’s be real, gay spaces have long been built around nightlife, hedonism and sex. And while those things have their place and can be fun, many of us are arriving at a place in our lives where it leaves us drained, disconnected and quietly asking: “is this it?”
- Maybe you’re new to London and don’t know how to meet people without relying on the apps.
- Maybe you’re in recovery, or just sober-curious and want a space where you don’t feel like the odd one out or the weird one.
- Maybe you’ve had a tough relationship with your body, with sex or with other men in general and you’re ready to gently heal that.
- Or maybe you just want to dance with joy again, surrounded by men who are kind, open, playful and real.
Pleasure Medicine is all of that. And more.
What people are saying:
“I found a part of myself I thought I’d lost”
Martin
“It was joyful, healing, tender and sensual all at the same time”
Greg
“This is the kind of space I’ve dreamt of but didn’t know existed”
Sunat
“I finally felt safe to connect without shame or pressure to have sex”
Miles
“I cried. I danced. I made new friends. I want to come back every week!”
Peter
Who is it for?
All GBTQ men who feel aligned with what’s on offer. You don’t need any dance experience because it’s not a dance class! This is about freedom of self-expression. You can come alone (in fact most people do!) You just need a willingness to be open, curious and kind. Whether you’re 21 or 101 years old, an introvert or an extrovert, whatever body type or level of confidence, there is a welcoming home here at Pleasure Medicine.
2. Gay Men’s Tantra, Naked Yoga & The Cuddle Exchange
Where: Various venues across London
When: Weekly & Monthly sessions
Price: Varies
Led by somatic therapist and tantra teacher Andy Butterfield, these workshops offer powerful ways to explore your body and connect deeply with others. Sessions include The (Sometimes Naked) Cuddle Exchange, Discovering Tantric Connections and naked yoga. Every space is held with care, safety and sensuality.
3. Queer Book Club at Gay’s The Word
Where: Gay’s The Word, Bloomsbury
When: Monthly (various dates)
Price: Free (purchase of the book encouraged)
This iconic queer bookshop hosts a relaxed, community-led reading group that brings queer literature to life. Each session explores a new book and opens the door to deeper conversations and friendships based on a central theme.
4. The Erotic Gateway: Tantric Play Parties for Men
Where: Maze Hill, South London (address on booking)
When: Last Saturday of the month
Price: £95
This unique day-long event includes communication, boundary work and conscious erotic play for gay men. The first half of the day is workshop-based, focused on trust, connection and safety. The second half is optional and invites participants to explore erotic energy in a curated, respectful container called an ‘Erotic Play Party’. A brand new way to create sensual and sexual connections with other men.
5. Gay Sunday Walking Group
Where: London + surrounding countryside
When: Fortnightly on a Sunday
Price: £12 – £17 per year (membership fee)
This long-running walking group brings together gay men for strolls through the city and day hikes in nature. It’s relaxed, low-pressure and a brilliant way to make friends while staying active. A slow and active way to get to know new people through a shared interest while keeping fit at the same time.
6. East London Life Drawing
Where: The Cart & Horses, Stratford
When: Tuesdays
Price: £12+ (pay what you can)
Queer-led and body-positive, this life drawing group features diverse models from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Expect everything from quick gesture sketches to longer poses and a playful, welcoming vibe. No background in art is required. Come, gran some paper and pencils and give it a go.
7. The House of Happiness
Where: Fire Nightclub, Vauxhall
When: Varies
Price: £15 – £20
Sober raving at its best. Proudly and unapologetically queer led and delivered, created for all! Whether teetotal, sober-curious or just taking a booze snooze. The House of Happiness is all about safe inclusive fun. On a Saturday afternoon, you can expect banging house tunes, DJs on decks, dancers on podiums and a fully stocked alcohol-free bar. Flamboyant, bold and a glitter station to boot.
Why London’s gay scene is evolving
This diversification of gay events in London reflects broader social trends within the community. While traditional venues remain important cultural institutions, many gay men are seeking complementary experiences that address evolving needs:
- Digital burnout: After years of app-based connections, in-person events with designated purposes provide refreshing alternatives to screen-mediated interactions.
- Wellness focus: Increasing attention to mental and physical wellbeing has created demand for gay spaces that support healthy lifestyles without sacrificing social connection.
- Sober curiosity: With more gay men exploring reduced alcohol consumption or sobriety, alcohol-optional or substance-free events are gaining popularity.
- Identity expansion: Many gay men are seeking spaces that celebrate multiple aspects of their identities beyond sexuality, including cultural background, creative interests, and spiritual practices.
Gay events in London: finding your place in London’s gay community
Whether you’re new to London or a longtime resident looking to expand your social horizons, these diverse events offer entry points to community that go beyond the traditional scene. The most rewarding approach is often to explore widely, attending different types of gatherings to discover which spaces feel most authentic and nourishing for you.
As Gary Albert, facilitator of Pleasure Medicine, observes: “The beauty of London’s gay scene in 2025 is that there truly is something for everyone. The days of one-size-fits-all gay spaces are behind us. Now gay men can find or create exactly the type of community they want and need”.
About Gary
Gary is a therapist, embodiment facilitator, Somatic Sexologist, award-winning music maker, conscious DJ and writer.He’s the creator of Pleasure Medicine, a bi-weekly sensuality workshop and ecstatic dance for gay men in East London that blends conscious movement with intimate, embodied connection. With over a decade of experience as a therapist, Gary is devoted to helping gay men unlock their pleasure centres, soften shame, and rediscover joy, intimacy, and sensuality through dance, touch, and celebratory sexuality. He is a guest columnist for various queer culture magazines and writes personal essays, opinion pieces and cultural reflections, always from the perspective of being in the waters with the reader, trying to work it all out together.
