Soho's iconic G-A-Y bar to serve last orders
Owner Jeremy Joseph said in a post on Instagram that it was "time to say goodbye"
Last updated 3rd Oct 2025
Drag Race stars are just some of those praising 'everything' the owner of G-A-Y in London has done for the queer community - following the announcement of the iconic venue's closure.
Jeremy Joseph said in a post on Instagram that it was "time to say goodbye".
In the 12-page statement, he went on to say how Old Compton Street in Soho has 'lost its LGBT identity' - with the closure of the iconic site coming about following a rent review into Heaven - which he also owns.
He thanked the landlord - Soho Estates - for letting him leave to concentrate on his other venture, and for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them 'amazing', particularly as 'we were totally reliant on their support', just to simply survive.
However, the Soho Society, which works to protect the area's culture, say it's 'another unfortunate example' of a venue being squeezed out by landlords in the pursuit of 'maximum profit'.
Jeremy's post comes as he says it 'felt important to try and say everything' and explain more about the closure.
In the statement, he said: "I'm finally getting closure on so much and the chance to be able to start looking to the future.
"I cannot put into words the anxiety and stress that I've been put through these last 23 months, with the result of Heaven's Rent Review Arbitration being make or break for the venue.
"G-A-Y has been my home and my work, and when I opened it, Old Compton Street was one of the safest and most proud LGBT streets, but it has lost its identity."
This all happened amid the landlord of Heaven wanted to hike the rent by more than £300,000 - including an automatic increase of £80,000 and then another £240,000 on top.
Talking about the landlord, he added: "Soho Estates, knowing how damaging the last four years have been, have given me the opportunity to leave and concentrate on Heaven.
There is a rental increase... but it's do-able and now I'll work on ways to cover it with the least impact on Heaven's customers."
Jeremy said now it's about focusing on 2029 - which will be Heaven's 50th anniversary.
'End of an era'
Online content creator Michael Mitchell said on Facebook that the news 'really' marks the 'end of an era'.
He said: "Saw G-A-Y is closing - and it really is an end of an era.
"I have so many memories from it.
"From me, Jeremy Joseph and Lee Kellow all living above the bar, to my many birthday parties there... especially Jeremy buying me a Barbie cake.
"People forget all about this bar - there was Gerri Halliiwell riding a horse down Old Compton Street for a CD signing.
"We also has signing for Girls Aloud, the Saturdays, Mcfly... the list continues.
"But more than that, the bar was all about family, the bar staff, managers, flyer boys, security, and our regulars."
Drag Race star Peppermint said: "G-A-Y was one of the first places that allowed me to come and perform years before I was ever even on the show.
"Appreciate you so much and definitely feeling this loss. Here's to another chapter together my love!
"Thank you so much for everything you've done for our community."
'A huge part of Soho's culture and history'
Tim Lord from the Soho Society said: "We are really sad to hear that GAY is closing.
"It's a huge part of Soho’s culture and history, from its time at the Astoria up to today, and Jeremy is key to that legacy.
"This is another unfortunate example of cultural diversity of venues being unable to survive the pursuit of maximum profit by property companies.
"The Soho Society continues it’s work to campaign in making Soho a diverse place to live work and visit. As part of that work we have suggested to the council that cultural venues like GAY should be protected under planning policy.
"A review of Westminster’s planning policy is starting next year. "
The bar will serve its last customers on Sunday, October 5th.
We have also contacted The Arch Company for a comment.