When in London…do as you feel like!

Asiya Islam

If you’re lesbian and travelling to London, you’re one privileged lady! London, with its liberal and motley mix of clubs, bars and hangouts has a lot to offer to the queer Indian traveller besides the regular tours of the Big Ben and Buckingham. So pack your bags and expect some fine English engagements!

If you are searching for freedom and happiness in the ecstatic city of London, go for a walk by the riverside, go up on the Millenium bridge one night, whiff in the scent of liveliness of London and look around. The magnificent St Paul’s will be in front of you, if you turn around you can see the city lights. This bridge which now looks beautifully sturdy has a nickname – the Wobbly bridge. It is reported to have wobbled two days after it was opened, it was closed down for some time and modified. Since 2002, it has been strongly holding up hundreds and thousands of lonely hearts, madly-in-love hearts, broken hearts. My point in telling you all this – whatever you want, London has it for you. You don’t have to necessarily spend loads on enjoying yourself; though London is said to be one of the most expensive cities, joy can come cheap if you want it to.

Soho – the most popular gay area of London. The feel of Soho has an authentic charm to it – you can find a small adult sex shop right next to a five storey book store. If you are looking for a jazz night out, Candy Bar that claims to be the ‘most prolific lesbian bar in the world’ is the perfect option. Fun facts about Candy Bar – it was the first women’s venue in the UK to be granted a striptease license, over the years it has been populated by stars like Robbie Williams, Naomic Campbell and Alexander McQueen! Move out onto St Giles Street and you can find First Out Cafe Bar – London’s first gay and lesbian cafe. Apart from the fact that it boasts of a ‘pun-a-riffic’ name (look again!), it can offer you a delicious cup of organic fair trade coffee or a chilled beer, whichever you prefer!
London is also one of the most multicultural cities of the world – it’s worth stepping into a South Asian club just for the thrill of feeling you’ve stepped back into home! Club Kali (North London) is a well known one, I would also suggest trying Urban Desi (every second Saturday of the month in Anexo Bar) in Farringdon. Hum Tum club nights are relatively new but sound quite promising, check their details on their Facebook page.

But don’t be disappointed if you find mostly men in there. For exclusive lesbian events and gatherings, check out The Most Cake ‘the chic-yet-undeniably-geeky lovechild of a new generation of London lesbians having their cake and eating it too’. It claims to attract all the progressive, stylish and super-talented lesbians existing! If, however, your travel is oriented more towards an exercise of the intellect, don’t despair. Naz group from back home has organised a group called Kiss group in London and holds regular debates and discussions in different venues and sometimes, fun games and drinking sessions!

Maybe at the higher end of expensive holiday destinations, a trip to London can still not be that harsh on your pocket. I would suggest trying to crash at a friend’s place while you are here as accommodation can be expensive; if you think you can afford it, there is no dearth of hotels and hostels where you can camp. Clubs, bars and night outs in London are definitely a thrill, especially if you are here with your lover or friends, but don’t forget to explore London by daytime. London has some of the most amazing and famous museums, art galleries and monuments, most of them free to visit. Do get an Oyster card (available at most general stores) when you land in London because it makes it a lot easier to hop on to the tube or ride in a bus and works out cheaper too.

I can promise whatever it is that you expect London to be, you won’t find it disappointing!