Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
RU Paul Drag Con UK 2026
DragCon returns in January to London ExCeL. This is your chance to see your favourite stars, returning & new in one place.
RU Paul Drag Con UK 2026
DragCon returns in January to London ExCeL. This is your chance to see your favourite stars, returning and new, in one place.
- Are you visiting for DragCon? Stay at the Novotel London Excel featuring spacious rooms and a modern gym located just 150m from the venue.
The Event
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates – Typically the second weekend in January.
- The RuPaul’s DragCon UK event will feature signings and meet & greets, performances, exclusive panels, merchandise stands and immersive activations from RuPaul’s Drag Race and fan-favorite WOW Presents Plus shows.
- Typically, RuPaul crosses the pond to join the festivities.
The Line-Up
- Visitors can see their favourite queens from the Drag Race universe, including supermodel of the world RuPaul and iconic UK drag superstars from the TV shows.
- Awaiting lineup for the 2026 edition.
The Venue
- ExCeL London is an exhibition and international convention centre in the Royal Docks area of Newham, East London.
- If you’re travelling on the Tube, the Prince Regent DLR station is the nearest stop to ExCeL London, a 7-mile journey from Kings Cross.
- A Taxi from central London will cost between £45-£55.
- Check out the top hotels close to ExCeL London.
Recommended Hotels in London
The following hotels have high ratings and are close to the gay bars and clubs of Soho and a short ride to the exhibition centre:
Hazlitt’s, Piccadilly Hotel, The Z Hotel Soho, W London Leicester Square
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
W Hotel London is our editors choice
when in London in the heart of the city!
Official Website
For further information and advice on
RU Paul Drag Con UK, Website
Gay Map of SoHo / London
Stay in the heart of London’s gay SoHo District and you will be close to all the pride festivities and events. Book early with our hotel partner booking.com as this zone is one of the most requested during Pride!
4 Richmond Mews Soho, London W1D 3DH, UK
Situated 5 minutes’ walk from Oxford Street, The Soho Hotel features a fully equipped gym with an on-site personal trainer. Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, as well as many tube stations.
Each air-conditioned room at The Soho includes a flat-screen TV, fully stocked minibar and an iPod docking station. An en suite bathroom is also provided. Guests can also make use of a beauty treatment room, which offers full body massage, facials and manicures.
68 Regent Street Soho, London W1B 4DY, UK
Hotel Café Royal is an iconic luxury 5-star hotel in the heart of central London. With the hotel situated to the South-West of Mayfair and Soho to the South, the property is positioned on , The shopping areas of Bond Street, Oxford Street & Savile Row are a short 6-minute walk away.
A London landmark, the hotel features 160 contemporary guestrooms, including 54 suites and 7 signature suites. Each is designed with careful detail and features complimentary WiFi, Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems, media hubs and luxury bathroom amenities.
Leicester Square, 10 Wardour St, London W1D 6QF, UK
In ’s vibrant West End, W London – offers luxury bedrooms and a stylish cocktail bar. The hotel boasts a sumptuous spa and beauty centre.
Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, the 5-star rooms at W London have iPod docks, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and an impressive media library. All have bathrobes and luxury linens, and some have views over Leicester Square.
6 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 3JA, UK
In 's Theatreland, in the of the West End, this 4-star boutique hotel offers with and free Wi-Fi. There is a 24-hour front desk and a library lounge.
The unique bedrooms at Hazlitt’s have sumptuous decor and elegant panelled walls. All have a flat-screen TV, minibar and work desk, and the luxury bathrooms feature REN toiletries.
14 Gerrard St, West End, London W1D, UK
Each unit offers a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, a fridge and oven are also offered, as well as a kettle and a coffee machine. A living room with a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, a bathroom with shower
Bourchier St, West End, London W1F, UK
Soho One features free WiFi & a washing machine the apartment comes with 1 bedroom with a double bed, a kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area & 1 bathroom equipped with a shower.
9 Wardour St, West End, London W1D, UK
Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, & a private bathroom with shower & a hairdryer. A microwave & a fridge are also offered, as well as a coffee machine.
20 Poland St, West End, London W1F 8QF, UK
Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning and features a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. There is also a fridge, oven and a coffee machine.
54 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4UD
● Traditional London gay pub with a lively atmosphere.
● Features drag shows and karaoke.
Monday-Thursday 13:00 – 23:30; Friday, Saturday 12:00 – 24:00; Sunday 12:00 – 22:30
Voltaire Road (Arch 642), London SW4 6DH
● Trendy new LGBT bar offering food, cocktails, and drinks.
Monday-Thursday 16:00 – 24:00; Friday 16:00 – 01:00; Saturday 14:00 – 01:00; Sunday 14:00 – 22:00
37 Wharfdale Road, London N1 9SD
● Long-established pub known for its comedy, cabaret, karaoke, and burlesque performances.
Daily 12:00/17:00 – 24:00; Friday, Saturday till 01:00
62 Frith Street, London W1D 3JN
● Popular gay music bar in the heart of Soho.
Daily 13:00 – 01:00
12 Old Quebec Street, London W1H 7AF
● One of the oldest gay bars in London with a mix of karaoke, quizzes, and cabaret drag shows.
● Mixed clientele during the day, mainly mature gay clientele at night.
Monday-Wednesday 10:00 – 02:30; Thursday-Saturday 10:00 – 03:30;
Sunday 12:00 – 01:30
2-4 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU
● LGBT-friendly bar, club, and music venue.
● Offers drinks, cocktails, DJs, bands, and drag shows.
Wednesday, Thursday 16:00 – 23:00; Friday 16:00 – 01:00; Saturday 11:30 – 16:00, 16:30 – 01:00; Sunday 16:00 – 24:00
51-53 Old Compton Street, London W1D 6HN
● A classic in the gay center of London Soho for over 30 years
Monday-Thursday 12:00 – 23:30; Friday, Saturday 12:00 – 24:00; Sunday 12:00 – 22:30
117 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB
● Popular resto-bar offering food (breakfast, lunch, burger), drinks, art, and DJs.
● Parties in the basement club on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tuesday 16:00 – 22:00; Wednesday 16:00 – 24:00; Thursday 16:00 – 21:00; Friday 16:00 – 02:00; Saturday 12:00 – 02:00; Sunday 12:00 – 24:00
77 Wardour Street Soho, London W1D 6QB, UK
● Traditional gay pub in Soho with over two decades of history.
Monday-Saturday 12:00 –24:00; Sunday12:00–23:30
349 Kennington Lane, London SE115QY
● Gay bar with a beer garden and pool table.
● Hosts the famous Horse Meat Disco on Sundays.
Thursday18:00–02:00; Friday18:00–03:00; Saturday21:00–03:00;
Sunday20:00–03:00
79 Wardour Street Soho, London W1D 6QB, UK
● A small cocktail lounge bar in Soho known for its camp decor.
● Mixed clientele.
Monday-Friday16:00–23:00; Saturday16:00–23:30; Sunday16–22:30
30 Old Compton Street Soho, London W1D 4UR, UK
● Pre-clubbing gay bar in Soho featuring music video walls and plasma screens.
Daily12–24
5 Goslett Yard London WC2H, UK
● One of the few late-night gay bars in Soho.
● Features pop music and some nights are members-only.
Daily22–04
7 Duncannon St, London WC2N 4JF, United Kingdom
● LGBT-oriented cabaret bar located near Trafalgar Square.
Monday-Thursday12–23; Friday-Saturday12–01; Sunday12–20
157–159 Rye Lane, London SE154TL
● Queer-friendly pub in Peckham offering craft beers, cocktails, and pizza.
Monday17–23; Tuesday-Thursday17–24; Friday17–01; Saturday14–01;
Sunday14–23
23 Poland Street Soho, London W1F 8QJ, UK
● Popular pub for bears in Soho.
● Features karaoke nights, quiz shows, and DJs.
Monday-Thursday16–23.30; Friday-Saturday12–24; Sunday13–22.30
30 Lisle Street, Westminster, London, WC2H 7RJ, United Kingdom
● A lively spot mainly attracting clientele in their twenties and thirties.
● Basement nightclub KuKlub hosts DJs every night from21/22.
Daily12–03
483 Hackney Rd., London E29ED
● Camp and queer bar with a mixed crowd.
● Former home of George & Dragon bar in Shoreditch.
Monday-Wednesday17–01; Thursday-Saturday17–03; Sunday17–01
2 George Ct, London WC2N 6HH, United Kingdom
● Small indie bar with a cozy retro vibe
● Enjoy quiz shows and comedy nights
Monday-Thursday 16:00 – 23:00; Friday, Saturday 14:00 – 23:00; Sunday 14:00 – 22:30
50 Rupert Street Soho, London W1D 6DR, UK
● Popular LGBT bar in Soho
● Live DJs from 21:00 on weekends
Monday-Thursday 15:00 – 23:00; Friday 15:00 – 24:00; Saturday 12:00 – 24:00; Sunday 12:00 – 22:00
372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY
● Big LGBTQ bar with vibrant queer comedy and cabaret shows
● Bingo nights and lively party events
Monday-Thursday 19:00 – 24:00; Friday 18:30 – 21:00/22:00 – 04:00;
Saturday 21:00 – 04:00; Sunday 16:00 – 23:00
8 Voltaire Road, London SW4 6DH
● Gay lounge bar in Clapham with a laid-back atmosphere
● Serves a variety of drinks, cocktails, and wines
Monday-Friday 15:00 – 24:00; Saturday, Sunday 12:00 – 24:00
340 Kennington Road, London SE11 4LD
● Friendly camp bar with a mixed clientele
● Located in Kennington
Thursday-Sunday 17:00 – 24:00/02:00
33 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BJ
● New queer bar, club, and performance space in Dalston
● Successor project to the now closed The Glory
Monday-Thursday 17:00 – 24:00; Friday, Saturday 17:00 – 02:00; Sunday 14:00 -24:00
556 Commercial Road, London E14 7JD
● LGBT-friendly bar and basement club in East London
● Features lively events and performances
Wednesday, Thursday 20:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday 20:00 – 03:30
57 Rupert Street Soho, London W1D 7PL, UK
● Popular gay bar in Soho with an inviting outdoor seating area
● Great spot for socializing and unwinding
Monday-Thursday 16:30 – 23:30; Friday, Saturday 14:00 – 24:00; Sunday 14:00 – 22:30
114 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UJ
● South London's camp cabaret bar with an exciting lineup
● Drag acts, quiz nights, and karaoke events
Monday-Thursday 17:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday 17:00 – 04:00; Sunday 16:00 – 02:00
139-143 Whitfield St, London W1T 5EN, United Kingdom
● A bustling cruise club just north of Soho.
● Features underwear and stripped nights in a relaxed atmosphere.
● Admission approximately £11-£12, including the first drink.
Daily 1pm till 1am
512 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AE
● Bar and nightclub for LGBTQs and friends in Dalston
● Hosts drag shows, karaoke, and other entertaining events
Thursday 17:00 – 02:00; Friday-Sunday 17:00 – 06:00
81 Wardour Street Soho, London W1D 6QD, UK
● Iconic gay bar in Soho since 1991
● Three floors with a bar, cocktail lounge, dancefloor, DJs, and gogo dancers
Monday, Tuesday 16:00 -01:00; Wednesday, Thursday 16:00 –02:00;
Friday, Saturday 16 :00 –03 :00 ; Sunday 16 :00 –23 :30
119 Hampstead Road London NW1 3EE
● A new safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in Camden ● With drag shows, performances and DJs.
Tuesday Wednesday 17 :00–01 :00 Thursday-Saturday 17:00–01:30 Sunday 17 :00–01 :30
217 City Road, London EC1V 1JN
● A vibrant gay cruise club with dynamic weekly themes and dress codes.
● Admission approximately £10-£12.
Monday 2–10 PM, Tuesday 6–10 PM, Wednesday 2–10 PM, Thursday 6–10 PM, Friday 2 PM–5 AM, Saturday 2 PM–6 AM, Sunday 2PM– 4 AM
9 Wotton Road, London SE8 5TQ
● A friendly gay bar in South East London with diverse, themed fetish nights.
● Social area on the ground floor and a cruising area in the basement.
Wednesday-Sunday: 18:00/14:00 – 24:00/01:00
25 Frith Street Soho, London W1D 4TS, UK
● A lovely Bar, prices are reasonable great music and atmosphere with none of the attitude, oh and the toilets are clean!
Daily 2 PM–1 AM Sunday 2–10:30 PM
66 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
● A lively gay dance and play party with a strict naked dress code.
● From 17:00, underwear and shorts are also permitted.
● Admission approximately £20-£23.
Sunday: 14:00 – 22:00
305a North End Road, London W14 9NS
● A cozy club bar in West London.
● Special TV/TS nights on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday.
Monday, Tuesday: 19:00 – 24:00 Thursday: 19:00 – 02:00 Friday: 19:00 – 24:00 Sunday: 19:00 – 02:00
Recommended Hotels in London By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in London that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Hotel Cafe Royal
5 Star, Luxury
- 5-star, London landmark, luxury bathroom amenities.
- Close to the gay district.
- Bang & Olufsen systems.
- Historic elegance with modern luxury, perfect for an indulgent stay in central London.
W London
5 Star, Readers Choice
- 5-star, West End, stylish cocktail bar.
- Close to the gay district.
- iPod docks, 37-inch TVs.
- Vibrant luxury in the heart of London’s entertainment district, with sumptuous spa facilities.
The Soho Hotells
5 Star, Great Value
- 5-star, air-conditioned rooms, beauty treatment room.
- Close to the gay district.
- Flat-screen TV, iPod docking.
- Chic and stylish, offering intimate luxury with personal care and a prime Soho location.
Hazlitt’s
4 Star, Location
- 4-star, Theatreland, antique furniture.
- Close to the gay district.
- Flat-screen TV, luxury REN toiletries.
- Boutique charm in the West End, perfect for theatre lovers and cultural explorers.
Video The Best of Ru Paul’s Drag Con
Ru takes us through some of her favorite moments of DragCon UK!
Top Gay Neighbourhoods in London
From elegant royal parks to edgy urban districts, London is a city that celebrates diversity in all its forms. Stay in a chic, centrally located hotel in the buzzing heart of the West End, and you’ll find yourself just a stone’s throw from many of London’s top gay-friendly neighbourhoods.
Soho | Gay Centre of London
Photo: Soho is home to some of the most famous gay bars in the UK including Ku Bar
- Soho, a vibrant buzzing neighbourhood and London’s gay epicentre, brimming with LGBTQ+ friendly bars, clubs, and restaurants.
- The neighbourhood’s bustling streets are where the city’s gay scene truly comes to life. The historic Soho Square is a fantastic place to relax and people-watch.
- Explore Old Compton Street, the main artery of Soho’s gay scene, filled with vibrant venues, including G-A-Y, Village Bar, and Admiral Duncan.
- Discover the best things to see and do in Soho
Covent Garden
Known for its shops, restaurants, theatres & close to major attractions, including the British Museum & Trafalgar Square.
Clapham
Home to the iconic Two Brewers pub Clapham is a 30-min ride from Soho, a must-visit location in the area.
Vauxhall
Just a quick tube ride from Soho, known for its edgier, more alternative gay scene, including the royal vauxhall tavern
Hampsted
Known for its charming village atmosphere, picturesque streets, upscale shops & Hampstead Heath
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