NUMBER OF LONDON GAY BARS FALL BY 40%

Clubland, News by Simon McD on December 18, 2009 at 11:31 am

The number of gay bars in London has dropped from 250 to 150 in the last five years, according to the Gay Business Association (GBA).

Stephen Coote, director of the GBA, told the Evening Standard that online dating and the recession has hit gay bars hard. “Dating and cruising, which the community used to do in gay bars, is now done online. This started happening long before the recession — the gay market was an early adopter of new technology. But during the downturn the trend accelerated. People are spending less on entertainment, and that has hit businesses in Soho and Vauxhall hard,” he said.

Coote also added that many gay bars are now offering straight nights in order to survive the downturn. “Thirty years ago, straight bars would open their doors to the gay community on Monday, the quietest night. Now it has gone full circle.”

The report comes at a time when Popstarz and Ghetto owner Popbarz has entered administration. The clubs, formerly kings of the London alternative gay scene, faced difficult times following their relocation from Soho to Old Street. Today the clubs are still trading, but looking for new owners.

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  • I think this article has failed to address the real issue. It may seem that the number of gay bars has fallen as the old-school gay bars like the Ghetto close their doors but in fact there is more choice than ever. What this article fails to pick up on is that all these closing venues are being replaced by the more modern poly sexual bar or occasional venue. A vast majority of the young gay audience no longer feels the need to ghettoise themselves in the 'gay' venues.

    Many younger people are also a bit skint, and opt for drinking at home, then a club. So the need for bars has dropped.

    I run various promotions, and never ever state that they are gay or straight. It's not worth mentioning.

    Things have moved on.
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