G-A-Y Bar: Old Compton Street says goodbye to iconic LGBT venue
The London venue closed its doors over the weekend as the owner claims the area has lost its queer identity
Last updated 7th Oct 2025
In what's a hammer blow for the capital's nightlife, the last orders have finally been served at Soho's iconic G-A-Y Bar.
After 25 years, the owner - Jeremy Joseph - says it's 'time to say goodbye' after a near-two year battle over the proposed hike in rent to save his other venue, Heaven.
This all comes amid a time in which he claims Old Compton Street has lost its LGBT identity, saying, after 25 years, it is finally 'time to say goodbye'.
He's also made the decision to close amid rising concerns over safety - and claims of a lack of a police presence in the area.
But, most of all, Jeremy says it's a matter of the soul of the street being sucked away.
'We had Madonna!'
"G-A-Y, as a brand, is as important to me as the Heaven brand," said Jeremy, in an interview with Hits Radio Pride.
"We had Madonna. We had Mariah Carey. We launched the Pussycat Dolls at G-A-Y at the Astoria.
"It was set up all those years ago as the centre of Central London.
"Indeed, the history goes back all the way to the Stonewall Riots, which used the slogan, 'Good As You'.
"So, yeah, it's really sad.
"This is not where I wanted to be - I came out of Covid with four venues, and, sadly, I'm now going down to just one."
'This is about the identity of Soho'
But Jeremy said it's been a difficult journey - and he had no choice but to pull the plug.
He told us: "When we opened G-A-Y Bar on Old Compton Street, it was about being on the 'gayest' street in London.
"But now, when venues close, there is less and less reaction - and also, it just feels like a less and less safer place to be.
"For sure, I don't blame individual police, but I blame the lack of police.
"The problem we have in the capital today, which clearly isn't one in other European countries, is the lack of them on the streets.
"I was in Madrid a couple of months ago, and there was a visible presence everywhere we went - that's nothing like what I'm seeing in London.
"So, when people say about our place closing is really sad, to me, this isn't about one bar - it's about the identity of Soho.
"'Why was I fighting for a place I so clearly was falling out of love with?' That's the question I've been asking myself - and my mindset has always been to protect Heaven, because the street's nothing like it used to be."
As Jeremy mentioned, the loss of G-A-Y was not just about Soho losing its identity, but because he had to save his other venue - Heaven.
The landlord wanted to hike the rent by more than £300,000 - including an automatic increase of £80,000 and then another £240,000 on top.
The result of the nightclub's Rent Review Arbitration going in his favour really was make or break for the venue.
He said: "It's been a journey, with G-A-Y Manchester, and G-A-Y Late too.
"I did put G-A-Y Bar on the market a year ago, we actually had an offer, but it fell through the week before it was meant to go through.
"In fact, London Pride was meant to be the bar's last night - but I always said that I had to wait for the result of the arbitration, because if I'd lost that, then Heaven would be gone.
"So, now, my mission is to make that the new hub for the LGBT community in Central London... with the addition of course of some G-A-Y razzle dazzle!"
'It feels like losing a member of the community'
The reaction to the news of G-A-Y Bar's closure has seen thousands of people pour their memories onto social media, including stars of Drag Race from here - and around the world.
On Facebook, 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."
Whilst speaking with Hits Radio Pride, Ben Pulsford, otherwise known as the former Drag Queen Beary Poppins, said how the news is like 'losing a member of the LGBT community'.
He told us: "It was such a staple of the London scene.
"I remember when I came out at the age of 24, and I was absolutely terrified, because it was the first clubs I ever went to... but I had absolutely the best night of my life.
"It's just so sad to think the next generation of queer people won't have that story.
"It feels like losing a member of the community, in a weird way.
"Queer or an ally, go to queer spaces, support queer spaces, because it's clear that they need you right now.
"You just don't know whether any of them will be there in a couple of years time."
'A huge part of Soho's culture and legacy'
In a statement, the Soho Society called Jeremy 'key' to the legacy of the area.
A spokesperson told us: "We are really sad to hear that GAY is closing.
"Its 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. "
'Relentlessly targeting prolific offenders'
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told us: “We are working hard to create a safe environment for London’s unique and diverse communities to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
“This includes adding 80 officers to the dedicated West End team, so they can relentlessly target prolific offenders as well as being visible and approachable to protect the public and deter criminals.
“In Westminster, knife crime has fallen by almost 18 per cent in the last six months, compared to the same time last year, with incidents of theft from the person falling by nearly 15 per cent during the same period."
Read more: Soho's iconic G-A-Y bar to serve last orders