Best Gay Theatres, Comedy & Cabaret in London (2026)

There's no business like show business!!!

We can never resist seeing a show when we're in London. We think it's one of the highlights for gay travellers in London. It's basically the theatre capital of Europe, with hundreds of performances taking place across the city at any one time. From musicals to showcases, dramatic performances to stand-up comedy, and dance spectacles to operas, there is too much to choose from.

But if you, like us, fancy something a little bit campy, or with an LGBTQ theme, then you need to get yourself over to one of these gay theatres, most of which are nicely located in and around the Soho gay scene of London.

We've included both purely queer theatres and comedy clubs, as well as very inclusive ones and, while they aren't ‘gay theatres' per se, they do regularly center LGBTQ+ stories and voices. For a wilder evening out in the capital, our guide to the best gay clubs in London has got your back, as does our Mighty Hoopla gay festival guide. If you want more party info, we've got your back with our gay London events and festival guide.

Sadly, The Glory in East London has shut its doors for good, as has the Above the Stag theatre in Vauxhall.

Where to base yourself in London?

The West End and Soho are your best bet to be close to the main theaters of the city. That's where we choose to stay. Otherwise, we recommend heading to Vauxhall or Elephant & Castle, where a sizable amount of the city's gay community is based – your Grindr will crash out here 🙂 Our guide to the best gay hotels in London has more info on this.

If you're on a budget, we recommend checking out the best gay bed and breakfasts in London that we've identified and rated.

Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Vauxhall

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is one of the oldest theatres in London and one that's very dedicated to being a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. This is where gay men and women would meet in secret before the legislation of homosexuality in the UK and it's even believed that Freddie Mercury snuck Princess Diana in here dressed in male drag during the 90s!

While there are many theatre shows to enjoy here, the RVT has also been synonymous with drag since the 80s and the theatre even became the first venue to be given Grade II listed building status for its contribution to LGBTQ+ history. This is where Paul O'Grady kicked off his career in drag, becoming the legendary Lily Savage. Other famous performers who have appeared here include the late Dame Edna Everage and Myra DuBois. 

This venue hosts various events and shows every day of the week, so even if drag is not your cup of tea you're sure to find something to interest you. The event line-up features everything from panto to live music, musicals to stand-up comedy, and dance performances. Artists that have previously performed here include the likes of Bucks Fizz, Belinda Carlisle, Liberty X and S Club 7!

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern is located at 372 Kennington Lane in Vauxhall (right by the Vauxhall station) and is open seven days a week. On weekdays it's open from 7pm until midnight, on Friday there's an early show from 6pm – 9pm and then a club night from 10pm until 4am, on Saturday it's open 9pm – 4am and on Sunday from 4pm until 11pm.

King's Head Theatre in Islington

If you love intimate theatre with a strong LGBTQ+ connection, we definitely recommend checking out the King's Head Theatre in Islington. Founded in 1970, it's one of London's most established fringe theatres, with a long history of championing queer stories, emerging talent and bold, independent productions.

You'll find it in Islington Square, just off Upper Street, a short walk from Angel Underground station. The theatre has a modern, purpose-built home with an intimate auditorium and a separate cabaret space, making it a fantastic place to catch everything from LGBTQ+ plays and musicals to comedy, drag and cabaret performances.

What we love about King's Head Theatre is its commitment to giving a platform to diverse voices and productions you might not find in London's bigger West End theatres. It's a great choice for a date night or an evening out with friends, especially if you're looking to discover something a little different from the usual London theatre scene.

We recommend checking their programme before visiting, as performances change regularly and not every production is LGBTQ+ themed.

The King's Head Theatre is located at 116P Upper Street in Islington Square, about a ten-minute walk from Angel tube station.

Soho Theatre at Dean Street, Soho

Situated in the heart of gay Soho, the Soho Theatre is one of the busiest venues in London, with three different stages presenting six different shows a night! This is a very gay-friendly theatre, with plenty of queer content to enjoy, like the View Upstairs, which was basically a love letter to the queer community set in a gay bar.

With three different spaces, there are a lot of different genres and performers to catch here, with a year-round festival program of theatre, comedy, and cabaret. The Soho Theatre is all about championing new works and giving upcoming artists a place to debut their work. There's a bit of a queer, punk, counter-culture flavour to everything at the Soho Theatre, which we love!

Along with the three main stages, there's also a fun bar at the Soho Theatre for a drink before or after seeing a show. A new offshoot Soho Theatre is also set to open in Walthamstow, East London, plus you can often catch performances presented by the Soho Theatre as far away as the Edinburgh Fringe or Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia.

The main Soho Theatre is located at 21 Dean Street in Soho (there's also a new venue opening in Walthamstow soon). The Soho Theatre Bar is open Monday to Friday from 10 am until 1 am and on Saturday from midday. Check out the Soho Theatre What's On page to see times and dates for upcoming shows!

The Queer Comedy Club at Betty & Joan's in Elephant & Castle

We love a good laugh, and The Queer Comedy Club is one of London's best spots for LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy. You'll find it at Betty & Joan's, a gay bar and cabaret venue in Elephant & Castle.

Expect a lively mix of established comedians, rising LGBTQ+ talent and fresh faces testing out new material. From hilarious takes on gay dating and relationships to everyday observations that have us in stitches, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained.

What we particularly love about The Queer Comedy Club is its welcoming atmosphere and the chance to discover some brilliant queer comedic talent. Whether you're planning a fun date night or an evening out with friends, it's a great alternative to London's usual gay bar and club scene. Just check their latest listings to see who's performing.

The Queer Comedy Club is located at the Betty & Joan's queer bar in Elephant & Castle at 9 Hewson Way, Elephant Park, London, SE17 1JS. It's around 10 minutes walk from Elephant & Castle tube.

Brixton House Theatre in Brixton

Originally known as Ovalhouse Theatre, in 2022 a new purpose-built space in the middle of Brixton opened up as Brixton House. In the 1960s, Ovalhouse was a groundbreaking and inclusive theatre space for local young people, community members and traditionally marginalised artists, writers and performers. It was central to the emergence of gay, lesbian and women’s theatre throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Today, Brixton House aims to continue building on that legacy, providing safe spaces for “artists across the LGBTQI+ community and beyond, to authentically create and fearlessly share their voices with audiences keen to hear their stories.” The new theatre space is fully accessible, including two stages, seven studios, as well as a café and bar that also serves as an area for exhibitions.

Along with plenty of interesting performances to attend, you can also take part in a variety of workshops, classes or even backstage tours at Brixton House. We also love how many community programs they run for local young people to get involved with the creative arts or learn skills for creative careers.

Brixton House is located in the heart of Brixton at 385 Coldharbour Lane, which is a short walk from Brixton tube and train station. They're open weekdays from 8 am – 10.30 pm, Saturday from 9 am until 10.30 pm and Sunday from 9 am until 6 pm. Check out the Brixton House website for details of upcoming performances!

The Vaults in Waterloo

The Vaults are definitely one of the coolest alternative arts venues in London, located in a maze of (formerly) disused railway arches underneath Waterloo Station. As a home for ‘alternative arts', you can regularly find LGBTQ+ focused shows here, as their aim is to collaborate and conspire, embracing artists from all walks of life.

It even says on the website that they strive to champion “unsung voices, especially those of the LGBTQ+ community,” which is great to see. Located next door to the famous graffiti tunnel of Leake Street, the Vaults regularly host comedy performances, immersive dining experiences and theatre shows in all sorts of genres.

There's also a very cool bar connected to The Vaults, called Vaulty Towers, which also hosts a variety of fun events including comedy shows, pub quiz nights and DJs. Of course, there's always good food and drinks to enjoy here too, whether or not you've been to (or are about to go to) a performance in The Vaults!

The Vaults are located on Leake Street underneath the railway just a few steps from Waterloo Station: walk for 150m and turn right into a tunnel (Leake Street, graffitti tunnel). The Vaults will be visible on your right-hand side. Check The Vaults website to see details of upcoming performances.

The Yard in Hackney Wick

Located in a converted warehouse in Hackney Wick, The Yard is an award-winning theatre in London that's dedicated to staging new plays, often including those by and featuring queer artists. As well as theatre, The Yard hosts regular music events for the queer community like the T-Boys Club and Nite Dykez, along with creative programs for local young people.

The work they do with and for young people is outstanding here, with a varied program of theatre and art programs, along with the Black Excellence at Nighttime group and the fact that under 26-year-olds can nab any unsold tickets to shows for just £5. They also provide a programme for 18-25-year-olds looking to develop careers in theatre and Events Technician management.

There's a cool bar attached to The Yard, and while it's only open when there are performances on, it's a lovely spot to socialise and have a drink before or after seeing a show. If you can manage it, try and see the annual NOW festival, which shows five weeks of new writing and always has a heavy LGBTQ+ slant.

The Yard is located at Unit 2a Queen's Yard, just a few minutes walk from Hackney Wick tube station. Check out The Yard's website for opening times of shows and specific events.

Arcola Theatre in Dalston

The Arcola Theatre is located in the borough of Hackney, inside a former paint factory and is home to a number of community theatre companies, including the Queer Collective. Arcola is dedicated to producing daring, diverse and contemporary theatre in the heart of East London – and we are here for it! The Queer Collective focuses on exploring queer identity and how to present it theatrically, so if you've ever wanted to dip your toe into the world of theatre, this is where you can do so.

Other community theatre groups based at the Arcola Theatre include groups focusing on mental health, residents over 50, women and Turkish/Kurdish voices. The theatre is also where the annual Grimeborn Opera Festival takes place, with new and experimental works showcased alongside radical productions of classic opera.

The Arcola Theatre has gained a reputation for showcasing works that explore important social and political issues, and for its commitment to sustainability. In fact, the theatre has implemented several environmentally friendly initiatives, such as using renewable energy sources, recycling materials, and promoting sustainable transportation options for staff and audiences. We love to see it!

The Arcola Theatre can be found at 24 Ashwin Street, halfway between the Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction train stations. Check out the Arcola Theatre website for details about upcoming performances.

Camden People's Theatre in Camden

The Camden People's Theatre (CPT) is a renowned small-scale theatre located in the heart of Camden that's dedicated to showcasing innovative and experimental works, particularly those created by emerging artists.

The programming at Camden People's Theatre often explores social and political themes, focusing on issues that resonate with contemporary society. Many productions tackle topics such as identity, diversity, gender, sexuality, and activism. In 2017, their Come As You Are festival celebrated trans and gender-queer work, plus they continue to host plenty of queer and feminist theatre.

In addition to its mainstage performances, Camden People's Theatre also hosts regular events and festivals throughout the year. These include scratch nights, work-in-progress showings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. The theatre actively supports artists in the development and testing of their work through these platforms.

Camden People's Theatre is located at 58-60 Hampstead Road, a short walk from Warren Street tube station. Check out the Camden People's Theatre's website for details of upcoming shows.

The Pleasance Theatre London in Islington

The Pleasance is a combination of a Festival Organisation, a London theatre and a development centre, with three permanent performance spaces in London and Edinburgh. The Pleasance Theatre is known for its diverse and vibrant programming. It hosts a wide range of shows, including new works, revivals, stand-up comedy, improv, dance, and physical theatre. The Pleasance has a particular focus on supporting and showcasing emerging talent, and it actively encourages artists to take risks and experiment with their work.

In addition to its regular performance program, the Pleasance Theatre is also associated with the annual Pleasance Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which takes place during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. The Pleasance venues in Edinburgh host a multitude of shows, attracting artists and audiences from around the world. But you don't need to go to Edinburgh to experience a taste of the Fringe magic, as many performers work on their shows at the London theatre in preparation for the Fringe season.

Pleasance London has three performance spaces – the Cabaret Main House, The Studio, and Downstairs – as well as a buzzing bar and outdoor courtyard to enjoy before or after shows.

The Pleasance Theatre in London is located in Islington at the Carpenter Mews, North Road, near the Caledonian Road tube station. Check out the Pleasance Theatre's website to see what's coming up.

Park Theatre London in Finsbury Park

If it's good enough for Sir Ian, then it's definitely good enough for us!

Park Theatre is a prominent theatre located in Finsbury Park. It opened its doors in 2013 (with the support of both Sir Ian McKellen and the late Alan Rickman) and has quickly become an important cultural hub in the city's theatre scene. The theatre was founded by Jez Bond and Melli Bond with the aim of providing a platform for diverse and high-quality theatrical productions.

And in that wish, they have definitely succeeded as the Park Theatre is known for its diverse and eclectic programming. It presents a mix of classic and contemporary plays, as well as new works by emerging and established playwrights. The theatre's repertoire covers a wide range of genres and themes, including drama, comedy, musicals, and socially engaged pieces that explore important social and political issues.

Previous queer productions have included a run of Animal, about a gay disabled man looking for love, and currently showing is Papercut, about a gay American soldier returning home from Afghanistan.

Park Theatre is located at 13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park. The closest train station is either Arsenal or Finsbury Park, both a short-ish walk from the theatre. Have a look at the The Park Theatre's website to plan your own visit.

The Other Palace Theatre in Victoria

The Other Palace Theatre is not advertised as a ‘queer theatre', but they often feature queer shows or performances with an LGBTQ+ slant – like Heathers The Musical! While this isn't a gay musical, it is very camp, and there is one big gay moment when two murdered football players are framed as gay lovers. At their funeral, their respective fathers berate each other for having acted homophobic whilst their children were alive. This leads to them confessing their own love for one another – and singing a song about how much they love their dead gay sons. Trust us, it’s way funnier than it sounds!

Other upcoming queer performances include “Fury and Elysium” – a queer and Jewish musical about transgression, revolution and decadence in Berlin, a musical biography of Alan Turing, a play about historical LGBTQ+ icon Julie D’Aubigny and some great queer Edinburgh Fringe preview shows. All this, and there's a fabulous bar attached called The Other Gin Palace, which is one of the most fashionable spots in Victoria.

While The Other Palace Theatre might not be a specifically queer space, it is dedicated to musical theatre, and most of us gays are big fans of campy musicals, right? It's also won numerous awards, including Best Off-West End Theatre in 2022 and Most Accessible Theatre in the 2019 BroadwayWorld UK Awards.

The Other Palace Theatre is located just around the corner from Buckingham Palace (hence the name!) at 12 Palace Street. The Other Gin Palace is open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 am until 11 pm (11.30 pm on Saturday nights), on Sundays between 11am – 6pm and on Mondays two hours before any scheduled performances. You can see The Other Palace Theatre's website.

The Divine in Dalston

If you're looking for something a little more alternative than London's traditional theatre scene, The Divine in Dalston is one of our favorite places to discover queer cabaret and live performance. Created by the team behind the legendary LGBTQ+ venue The Glory, it's become a popular spot for London's more experimental drag and cabaret scene.

Expect everything from outrageous drag performances and offbeat comedy to live music, performance art and wonderfully eccentric cabaret shows. We love how The Divine gives a platform to emerging LGBTQ+ performers alongside established names, with a programme that's constantly changing.

The atmosphere is intimate, creative and unapologetically queer, making it a great place to experience a different side of London's LGBTQ+ nightlife. We'd recommend checking the events calendar before visiting, as some nights focus on cabaret and comedy while others are more about DJs and dancing.

The Phoenix Arts Club in Soho

Tucked away beneath the Phoenix Theatre in the heart of London's West End, The Phoenix Arts Club is a fantastic little venue for anyone who loves cabaret, comedy and musical theatre. It's not exclusively an LGBTQ+ venue, but its welcoming atmosphere and regular queer-friendly performances make it a great addition to our list.

We particularly love its intimate, old-school theatrical setting, where you can catch everything from West End performers singing their favourite show tunes to comedy nights, drag acts and lively cabaret performances. It's also a popular hangout for London's theatre crowd, so you never quite know who might turn up on stage.

For us, it's a great alternative to a big West End production, especially if you're after something more relaxed and interactive. Check their programme before visiting to see what's on, as the line-up changes regularly and not every show is LGBTQ+ themed.

The Phoenix Arts Club is located at 1 Phoenix Street in London's West End, just a short walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.