If you have crossed paths with another user, they’ll show up at the top of your Happn page. If you like what you see, you can send a heart and, if they send one back, instigate a conversation. Lazy users are penalised on Bumble, as you only have 24 hours to initiate a conversation before the match expires. The app is free to use but you can upgrade to Bumble Boost, where you can see users who have already ‘liked’ you, for £11.16 per month for 6 months or even just £2.49 for the day. Instead of being bombarded with messages, you can only message those with whom you have matched. Downloading the app and speaking to users is free but you can upgrade to Premium for extra features.
Cities
These are our picks for the best gay Airbnbs in London for when you want to feel like a local. There are three major things that our site has that other dating sites don’t. The friendly staff are also there if you need a recommendation or two. So if this is your cup of tea, then head on down to Bloomsbury for this literary haven. It’s a popular hangout for London Queers and anyone wanting to boogie the night away.
Located in the increasingly gay enclave of Clapham, The Two Brewers has a more provincial feel than some of London’s LGBTQ+venues. You do have to pay to attend the events, though Thursday bags exclusive drinks deals at most. Online dating and dating apps are now one of the most popular ways to meet a new partner and there are more than 1,400 sites in the UK alone, catering for people from all walks of life and interests. Go out and stay out all night at London’s best LGBTQ+ nightlife hotspots. From disco basements and bars with giant penis murals on the walls to the place Londoners regularly vote the best venue in the capital.
Black Cap Community Hub: weekly LGBTQ+ drop-in
However, when it comes to meeting new single people, gay dating in London as a scene can be quite depressing. The Netherlands is the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. It has been attracting the LGBTQ community through tourism, making it the most liberal country in the world. It is also one of the best countries for gay expats because it has more gay neighborhoods compared to any other country in western Europe.
EliteSingles is with 13 million singles worldwide one of the biggest players on the market. The dating app is the best option for educated singles because 85 percent of all members have a university degree and are between 30 and 55 years old. Hogging the limelight with a third mention is the UK with its unofficial queer capital of Brighton. Gayer than Manchester and London combined (if that’s possible!), the seaside town of Brighton wears its crown with pride, lovingly looked after by a diverse population of boho, free-thinking types.
I only wish places like this existed when I was growing up and experimenting with my identity. Whether it’s a cocktail and cut at Blade’s, or a technicolour transformation at TuttiiFruittii’s, these queer owned salons make treating yourself a buzz-worthy experience. This cave-like basement bar is Soho’s only venue dedicated to queer women and non-binary folk, and it takes this responsibility seriously. Unless you identify as such – or arrive with plenty of queer female and non-binary mates – you’re probably not going to get in. Run by the team behind Ku Bar, She Soho has a similarly convivial ambience and flair for getting the party started. Be aware, though, that it’s only open Wednesday through Sunday.
With an impressive rooftop and equally fabulous restaurant, it’s no wonder this soulful site plays homage to its neighbourhood by hosting an array of engaging queer events. Curtain Road, East London is a camera-ready hotel DesiKiss and members club located a short walk from Old Street station. Whether it be an overnight visit or a weekend away, the rooftop pool and restaurant are features worth feasting over—the brunch is especially fabulous.
There might be some noise from the street, but the triple-glazed windows help to keep it down when you need some sleep. It’s open 7 nights a week until 3 AM so you have a lot of time to party and meet new people. The DJ’s play the best music so you better be ready to dance the night away. Original speed dating events in London normally begin at 7.30pm. You will need to register with our hosts and to begin with they will issue you with a score sheet. This will help you to keep track of the singles that you would like to meet again and perhaps go on a date with.
Pefect for gay couples, this large, airy room enjoys a double bed, wardrobe and access to the shared kitchen. Clapham Common Underground is just eight minutes away on foot, offering rapid access to the bright lights of central London via the Northern Line. With so many friendly gay hosts ready to welcome you to their home or hand you the keys to one of your very own, London boasts all manner of gay-friendly accommodations. From a three-bedroom Fitzrovia townhouse worth millions of pounds to a trendy single room in East London, all tastes and budgets are catered for in our collection of the best of London’s gay Airbnbs.
The upstairs bar is great for a midweek catch-up, while the basement is a fishbowl-like cabaret space where drag queens take to the stage seven nights a week. It can get pretty raucous down there, especially when Friday night resident Marsha Mallow belts out signature her club classics medley. As its name suggests, Compton’s is a longtime stalwart of Old Compton Street.
It’s an interesting place for DJ nights, drag shows, cabarets, and many more. With the fun crowd, it’s no surprise you’ll meet someone fun by the end of the night. Gay speed dating is a great way for men to meet other men in a comfortable environment. We created these events to ensure that we’re reaching out to different audiences and to make sure that everyone has a chance to date and meet new people. Until now we’ve focused on straight dating events but why should they have all the fun – this is the year we’re bringing our brand of speed dating to the gay, lesbian and bisexual population of our fabulous city.