Jeremy Joseph announced the closure of G-A-Y Bar on his Instagram account. Located on Old Compton Street in Soho, the bar has long been a vibrant hub for the queer community and has served LGBTQ+ Londoners and visitors alike. G-A-Y Bar was put on the market for sale at the start of the year.
G-A-Y Bar is owned by Jeremy Joseph, who also operates G-A-Y Heaven nightclub and he was the proprietor of the recently closed G-A-Y Late. Its closure marks the end of an era for one of the city’s most recognisable queer venues.
The closure of G-A-Y Bar was officially announced by Jeremy Joseph on October 1, 2025, with the final weekend of operation scheduled for October 4–5
The announcement followed a lengthy and difficult arbitration process with G-A-Y Heaven’s landlords, regarding the rent. Joseph explained that while the outcome secured G-A-Y Heaven’s future, it came at the cost of keeping G‑A‑Y Bar open, which had become financially unsustainable.
Reasons for the closure of G-A-Y Bar
Rising operational costs, especially rent, placed mounting pressure on the G-A-Y Group. Additionally, Jeremy Joseph pointed to increasing regulatory and licensing restrictions, which made it harder for the business to operate freely. However, he had nothing but praise for the landlords of G-A-Y Bar, Soho Estates, and he praised the efforts of the mayor who wants a 24-hour city. He also expressed concerns about the changing character of Soho, noting that Old Compton Street no longer felt like the LGBTQ+ stronghold it once was. This sense of cultural loss, combined with safety concerns and a lack of institutional support, made continuing the business feel untenable.
“There has to be a way to protect business with zero cost to the taxpayers, maybe a change in the law in the same way that residential tenants have rights, so should commercial tenants. Not Reliant on who your landlord is. But all businesses treated equally.”
Jeremy Joseph
The reaction to the announcement has been one of deep sadness across the LGBTQ+ community
Many people see the closure not just as the end of an LGBTQ+ bar, but as the loss of a historic safe space. G‑A‑Y Bar offered more than nightlife; it provided a sense of belonging, community, and visibility for so many of us.
Despite the loss, Jeremy Joseph remains committed to continuing operations at G-A-Y Heaven nightclub.
The resolution of the rent arbitration will allow G-A-Y Heaven to remain open, and efforts are being made to redeploy staff from G‑A‑Y Bar where possible. Still, many are left wondering what the future holds for queer nightlife in London as venues struggle to stay open.
G‑A‑Y Bar’s closure also highlights a wider crisis facing LGBTQ+ venues in London.
Over the past few decades, many queer spaces across London have shuttered. The decline of these spaces has raised concerns about the erasure of queer history and the availability of safe, accessible gathering points for our community.
But it’s not all doom and gloom…
While many established venues are struggling with increased costs, restrictions around licensing and changing trends (especially away from alcohol), it’s not all doom and gloom. Venues have become more local and less central, and many operators, particularly small independent ones, have continued to open new spaces with a growing trend for pop-up events that try to offer more, whatever that may be.
The Glory closed and the Divine opened
When the Glory closed, it reimagined itself just down the road as The Divine. Divine it is, with a thriving bar/club and intimate stage space.
Electrowerks and BEEFMINCE expand
XXL club may have closed in London, but the venue is to be reborn after a courageous battle fought by our community – it is expected to reopen in 2026 as a new LGBTQ+ theatre and workspace. The bears certainly haven’t gone either. Go to regular full club night ROAST at Electrowerkz or one of the popular nights that BEEFMINCE puts on across London to see that the bear scene is thriving. Talking of Electrowerkz, this huge industrial-style club space now hosts numerous LGBTQ+ events.
A new superclub in Soho
Big circuit-style parties and queer raves are also held at the new subterranean super-club in Soho, HERE at Outernet. This is a relatively new 2,000 capacity state of the art venue.
South London booms
Southwark and Bermondsey have seen several LGBTQ venues open recently, including Betty & Joan’s, The Queer Comedy Club, The Arzner (including a queer centred cinema) and The Rising.
North London rebounds
Zodiac Bar and Club opened post-COVID in north London, and don’t forget the iconic Black Cap – more on that soon!
The lesbian renaissance
There are more lesbian nights across the city than ever. There were huge crowds in the street at the recent opening of La Camionera.
There’s more variety
Notably, there has been a shift to social events that are less alcohol-focused. There are several LGBTQ+ sports clubs and outdoor adventure groups that let you not just meet other LGBTQ+ people but also help you stay fit. And remember, staying fit helps our mental health!
West London grows a strong LGBTQ community with the help of WLQP
As a beacon of hope, the West London Queer Project continues to grow from strength to strength providing the West London LGBTQ+ community with a wide range of activities including sport, adventure walks, book clubs, fitness training, bar socials, party nights and more.
London celebrates queer creativity with large gatherings throughout the year
We love the queer community gatherings in London like Pride in London Trans+ Pride and all the associated parties. There are numerous LGBTQ+ festivals such as As One In the Park and Body Movements, along with queer street parties in Clapham and West London. Queer arts festivals also abound in London centring queer people in live performance, film, and literature. Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival, One Fluid Night Film Festival, Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Festival, The East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Queer East Festival, and plenty more, with all the major arts festivals in London celebrating LGBTQ+ contributions.
London is still safe
London has been ranked as the 14th safest city in the world, according to The Economist’s Safe Cities Index. This is facts based evidence and not migration politicking! When you visit London celebrate everything LGBTIQ+ the city has to offer because, no matter what, few other cities compare.
