Gay Cafes in London

Balans Soho
Mon-Thu 08:00 – 05:00; Fri, Sat 08:00 – 06:00; Sun 08:00 – 02:00
60 Old Compton Street [Subway: Leicester Sq, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Ct]
+44 (0)20-74392183; Website
One of the bistro cafes of the Balans chain in London; due to its location in Old Compton Street with a mainly gay clientele. Very popular, especially on weekends and holidays, and famous for its all-night opening times.

Balans West
Daily 08:00 – 24:00, Fri, Sat till 01:00
239 Old Brompton Road [Subway: Earl’s Court]
+44 (0)20-72448838; Website
Gay-friendly. Balans’ branch in London Earls Court. Simple dishes, grills and roasts.

Box
Tue-Thu 12:00 – 23:00; Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00; Sun 12:00 – 22:30
32-34 Monmouth Street [Subway: Covent Garden, Leicester Square]
+44 (0)20-72405828; Website
Cafe and lunch in the afternoon, bar in the evening with lots of muscled pre-clubbing crowd. With its large glass frontage a popular place to see and be seen.

The Edge
Daily 12:00 – 01:00, Sun till 23:30
11 Soho Square [Subway: Tottenham Court Road]
+44 (0)20-74391313; Website
Lounge bar and cafe in Soho. Modern design, ›polysexual‹ clientele, mixed age.
During the day cafe with wide range of food: salads, Tapas, burgers, English dishes.
In the evening several bars, on weekends with DJs.

First Out
Mon-Sat 09:00 – 23:00; Sun 10:00 – 22:30
52 St Giles High Street [Subway: Tottenham Court Road]
+44 (0)20-72408042; Website
Lesbian & gay cafe-bar with reasonable prices and temporary exhibitions. International vegetarian menu, cakes, pastries, organic fairtrade coffee, tea, cocktails, wines, spirits.