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The UK gay scene is primarily based in London but there has been a growth of bars and clubs in Manchester over recent years, although these are mainly focused on the younger crowd.

South coast resorts such as Brighton and Bournemouth, which have large retired gay communities are developing places where mature gay men and admirers are welcome, notably in Brighton.

Nationwide
Organisations

CAFFMOS
PO Box 2273,
Hove,
BN3 2GF
Tel: 01273 220 995
CAFFMOS strives to offer the older, mature gay man and his admirers as well as the senior bisexual community platforms from which new contacts and friendships may be formed.
Online website, chat and personal ads as well as postal newsletter with contact ads. Also organise regular meetings in Brighton, Manchester and London plus an annual weekend in Bournemouth.

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Leeds
Bars
Old Red Lion
Meadow Lane, just over Leeds bridge.
Pub popular with older men & women

London
The London gay scene used to be based in Earls Court but this has migrated to Soho since the 80's although Soho mainly caters for a younger crowd. Consequently there are now only 2 bars left in Earls Court (The Colherne and Bromptons) and one good café (Balans West).

The Quebec bar at Marble Arch is probably the most famous Gray Gay institution in Europe and is always busy and popular with a mixture of ages. Even if you don't normally like bars, it's worth a visit.

Outside of this there are few places to recommend and these tend to be dotted around the capital.

Bars

Halfway 2 Heaven
7 Duncannon Street (Tube: Charing Cross)
Charing Cross
London WC1
Tel: 7321 2701
Email: manager@halfway2heaven.co.uk
Gray 20% Admirer 20% Rent 0% Elegance 7 Cruise 5 Music 5
Unsurprisingly, given it's location just across the street from Charring Cross railway station, this traditional pub gets very busy after work (5.00 - 7.30) as the country queens get a quick fix before making their way back to the shires. Also gets some late business from pre-Heaven (nightclub) go-ers - hence the name.

King's Arms
23 Poland Street (Tube - Oxford Circus)
W1F 8QJ
Tel: 020 7734 5907. Fax: 020 7359 4462
Mon-Sat 12.00-23.00, Sundays from 12..00 through to 22.30
Two bars, traditional pub atmosphere, popular with bears and some leather. A few older guys amongst the "fluffies" (bears).

The Quebec (aka "The Elephants Graveyard" & "The Pacemakers Arms")

12 Old Quebec Street, (Tube - Marble Arch)
London W1
Tel: 0207 629 6159
Mon-Wed: 12pm-1am
Thurs-Satur: 12pm-2am
Sun: 1pm-12am

THE GrayGay Bar in the UK and probably the largest and best of the type in Europe.
It's a large "air-conditioned" bar on 2 levels - however the aircon can't cope when it gets busy (despite the new system just put in - 06/2005).

Upstairs bar (quieter and less cruisy) has recently been renovated to high standard and now the whole venue has a late licence (but if you are here after 11pm you know that all the nice guys have already gone).

Downstairs also renovated and expanded recently with a larger dance floor and DJ playing loud music, which does at least bring in more people. Cabaret on Sunday brings in the crowds although the quality of the act can be variable. Karaoke downstairs on Mondays. Tuesdays is suits night although you can find a fair few suits most early evenings. Wednesday is quiz night and Thursday is the Piano Bar where you can belt out a tune.

The Quebec is an institution in the GrayGay world although sometimes I think the place is like a living Hogarth print, as there are some very strange characters who stay there all day and night!

06/2008 Management is trying to clean out the rent (about time) who tended to arrive late in the evening, although I have had recent reports that they are still there. The music level in the upstairs bar in the evening is sometimes if far too loud given that it's not a disco and there are many older clients who find hearing difficult. Couple this with some of the highest bar prices in London, you might wonder if they are trying to drive the older clientelle away.

Gray 60%, Admirer 25%, Rent 3% (late evening), Music 7 (9 downstairs), Cruise 9, Elegance 5

Queens Head
(aka "The Rat and Handbag")
27 Tryon Street,
London SW3 (Tube Sloane Square)
Long-established Chelsea pub. Mixed ages and wages. Outdoor drinking in summer. Best during cocktail hour for mature men but becomming increasingly mixed in recent years.
Gray 20%, Admirer 20%, Rent 0%, Cruise 4, Music 6, Elegance 5

King William IV
(aka "The Willy")
75 Hampstead High Street,
London NW3 (Tube - Hampstead)
Gray 5%, Admirer 5%, Rent 1%, Music 5-8/10,Cruise 5/10,
Elegance 4/10
Traditional pub set right in the heart of Hampstead High Street. Garden at rear. Quiet bar/cafe upstairs. Many restaurants nearby. Not very gray but a nice place to go to due to the nearby restaurants and cafés and Hampstead Heath nearby if you like cruising (AYOR at night).

West 5
Popes Lane, South Ealing, London (Tube - South Ealing)
Telephone: (020) 8579 3266 Monday to Thursday 11am-11pm; Friday 12noon-12midnight Saturday 11am-11pm; Sunday 12noon-10.30pm
Huge gay pub which has a disco (with cabaret stage), pool room, piano bar (Friday and Saturday night) and a garden deck at the rear and plenty of seating throughout.
The piano bar is worth going to if you want a fun evening out - it is a long way from the city centre though, so either you'll need a car or a taxi. The bar will arrange transport when you leave if required.
Gray 5%, Admirer 5%, Rent ?%, Music 8 (in disco area), Elegance 5, Cruise 6

Saunas
Aquarius

Chariots 1
201 - 207 Shoreditch High St (Tube: Liverpool Street)
Tel: 0171 2475333
Friday - Saturday 12h00 - 09h00 , Sunday 12h00 - 02h00, Monday - Thursday 12h00 - 24h00
Large, "luxurious" Sauna and Gym more like a continental European venue. It has 2x steam, 2x sauna, swimming pool, plunge pool, jaccuzi, private "rest rooms", porn room, maze, TV lounge with coffee/tea/soft drinks & snacks. More older guys during the afternoon than the evening.
Gray 15-25%, Admirer 15%, Rent 0%, Music 5%, Cruise 10/10, Elegance 9/10

Chariots 2 (link updated 09/07- thks Dutchboy)
292 Streatham High Road (BR Train: Streatham - not Streatham Common)
SW16 6HG
Tel. 020-86960929
Entrance at rear on Mitcham Lane/Babington Road, opposite the Manor Arms pub
Mon-Thur 12pm-midnight , Friday Midday - Sunday Midnight (open 60 hours non stop!)
Every TUESDAY :"BIG 'n' HAIRY" For big guys, bears and chasers.
Facilities: Entry £11. 2 Saunas, steam room, 2 Jacuzzis, 2 porn rooms, solarium, public rest room, large screen TV, Private Rest Rooms. Free tea, squash and biscuits. Buffet weekends. Snacks available. Free condoms and lube.
Gray 40%, Admirers 30%, Rent 0%, Cleanliness 4
The premises are built on a hill and consequently it has some steep steps to negotiate - especially into the basement cruise area. Attracts more older men and admirers than the other 4 Chariots saunas in London. Despite being an old buiding, the premises are clean and recently decorated and they provide free refreshments - in contrast with the other Chariots.
To get there by British Rail, go to Kings Cross Thameslink Station (also connects with Blackfriars and Elephant and Castle stations) and take the train for Streatham. Be careful not to get on the train for Streatham Common. There is a train about every 20 minutes and your journey will take 20 minutes from Kings Cross. From Streatham Station turn left and it's a two minute walk. I would advise caution leaving the area late in the evening.

The Portsea
2 Portsea Place,
Marble Arch
W2 2BL
Tel: 020 7402 3385
Opening Times: 12.00 - 23.00
Dry sauna, steam room, private cabins with en suite shower, masseurs, body waxing, video lounge, complimentary bar & towels. Very close to The Quebec bar (see bars).
£10 up to 14.00, £12 after.
10% Gray, 10% Admirer, 0% Rent, Elegance 8

Hotels & Accomodation
If you're looking for similar place to those you find in the US I am afraid you're likely to be disappointed with the London gay hotels. Most of the places I list below are near the Quebec - not that that's the only reason for being in London - but most people who come here are amazed at the place, particularly if they don't have anything like it at home.

Also I have selected the best of the London gay hotels and included self-catering apartments situated near Baker Street which are within walking distance to the Quebec - much cheaper than hotels if you are here for a week or more.

Besides Marble Arch, other regions nearby with a mixture of hotels in fairly easy reach are Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Notting Hill and Marylebone.

Gay Hotels
Philbeach Hotel
30-31 Philbeach Gardens, Earl's Court, London, SW5 9EB
Tel: 020 7373 1244. Fax: 020 7244 0149
Probably the best of the gay hotels in London - although there isn't much competition. Has a large bar in the basement open to non-resident and restaurant on the ground floor has recently changed to an excellent Thai menu. TV's meet in the downstairs bar on Saturdays and they even provide a wig room (you have been warned!)

Gay B&B
http://www.londongay.co.uk
Small single room B&B in an apartment very close to the Quebec at Bond Street

Non-gay hotels near the Quebec

The Victory Services Club
63-79 Seymour Street
London, W2 2HF
Tel.020 77234474
Fax: +44 (0)20 7402 9496

For general enquiries info@vsc.co.uk
Reservation enquiries res@vsc.co.uk

Probably the most inexpensive accommodation in West London but open to serving and non-serving members of the armed forces only (although not only UK forces). Recently renovated public areas are much improved, although bedrooms are very basic and most require use of a shared bathroom. Difficult, if not impossible, to take any visitors to your room.

B&B
The Marble Arch Hotels are small bed and breakfast hotels near the City of Quebec. Not exclusively gay but they employ gay staff and do encourage the use of the hotels for gays.

Edward Lear Hotel
28/30 Seymour Street
Marble Arch
London W1H 5WD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7402 5401
Fax:+44 (0)20 7706 3766
E-mail: edlear1@aol.com

Parkwood Hotel, 4 Stanhope Place
Marble Arch
London W22HB
Tel:+44 (0)20 7402 2241
Fax: +44 (0)20 7402 1574
E-mail: prkwd11@aol.com

3* Hotel
Best Western Mostyn Hotel
4 Bryanston Street, London, United Kingdom, W1H 7BY.
Tel 44-020-7935-2361 Fax: 44-020-7487-2759
Has air-conditioning which is a huge advantage in summer.

4* Hotel
The Cumberland Hotel
Great Cumberland Place,
Marble Arch, W1A 4RF
Phone: 0870 333 9280 Fax: 0870 333 9281 Email: enquiries@thecumberland.co.uk
Now re-opened after extensive renovations and a complete change of look with modern, designer reception and rooms and higher rates to match. Although the rooms are now very modern they are still small.

Thistle Marble Arch
Bryanston Street Marble Arch, London W1H 7EH
reception: 0870 333 9116 fax: 0870 333 9216
email: MarbleArch@Thistle.co.uk
In the same block containing the Quebec and has good weekend rates. Rooms tend to be larger than the Cumberland next door but the decor is more traditional.

Flats/Apartments
Self-caterig apartments are fully equipped and worth considering if you are staying for a week or more and offer privacy and lower costs if you don't want to eat out all the time.
Globe Apartments
36 James Street
London
W1U 1AP
Tel: 0207 935 9512
Fax: 0207 935 7531
Email: fiona@globeapt.com
Offer self-catering studios, 1 & 2 bedroom flats in the Marble Arch area and near Baker Street tube in Paddington and Chiltern streets. Weekly rates from £420 (studio), 1 bed £500, 2 bed £600. Facilities vary but flats normally include double room, bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette, washing machine, lounge, TV/Video, Phone, etc

Organizations

Affinity Trust
c/o The Metro Centre,
Unit 401, 49 Greenwich High Road
Greenwich
London SE10 8JL
Tel: 020 8265 3311
Email theaffinitytrust@hotmail.com
The Affinity Trust promotes the interests and well being of older lesbians and gay men. The produce a number of publications giving advice on setting up social and support groups for older people and speaking up for older lesbian and gay men. Opening hrs by arrangement

Just Friends
24 Cloudesley Square
N1 OHN
Contact: John or David
Tel 01707 377599 or 07841462220
Email: contactjustfriends@tiscali.co.uk
Social group for gay men (40+) meeting every Wednesday evening in/around London and occasionally on other evenings and weekends. On 1st Weds of each month, we meet at our Soho base, on other Weds and other days at pubs, clubs, members' homes and trips to theatres, cinemas sporting events, galleries, country houses and gardens etc. Please contact us for a copy of introductory letter and our quarterly newsletter which details our regular events.

Evergreen
London Friend
86 Caledonian Road
London N1
Tel: 0171 837 3337
Social group for older gay men

Lewisham 50+ Group
12 Brownhill Road, London N1
Tel: 0689 859 806 (pm)
Local social group for older gay men

Metro50+
The Metro Centre, 49 Greenwich High Road, London, UK, SE10 8JL
Telephone : 0208 265 3311
Email : jackie@t-metro.co.uk
For older lesbian, gay and bisexual's who wish to get involved in a volunteering group that meets on the last Tuesday of every month for socials and planned events.

Polari
Awareness raising plus care and social services for older lesbians and gay men
Tel 020 7346 6807

Manchester

Napoleon's
Sackville Street at Bloom Street
Tel: 0161-236 8000.
Most popular with older Gay men and with TVs. Relaxed and friendly. Mon-Sat 10.00pm-2.00am.

Paddy's Goose
29 Bloom Street, Manchester,
M1 3JE
Tel: 0161 236 1246
Manchester Gay Bar for an older crowd. One of the village's original watering holes. Popular with a good cross section of the gay community including well know transvestite gatherings on Wednesday and Saturday nights.Cask ales, home cooked food and friendly service on offer.

The Rembrandt Hotel
33 Sackville Street
M1 3LZ
Tel : 0161-236 1311 & 2435.
Situated in the heart of Manchester's Gay Village, this small friendly pub attracts an older bigger crowd.
Also has accommodation comprising 6 bedrooms providing very moderately priced overnight accommodation.

Middlesbrough
Annie's Bar
97 Linthorpe Road,
Middlesbrough, TS1 5DD
Tel: 01642 248828
12pm-11pm Mon-Sat, 6pm-10.30pm Sun
This is above the amusement arcade opposite McDonalds. You sometimes have to press the door buzzer to get let in and this, coupled with the mirrored staircase up to the bar, can make it feel like your heading into some dodgy Soho strip bar! Once you're in the bar, the feeling of the venue changes; the décor is somewhat dated and feels a bit like a small Working Men's Club with well kept red velour seating and fake plants. The bar prices are quite good, especially the double spirits which you can knock back for £2. The crowd in Annie's is predominantly gay, although the karaoke on Wednesday and Friday nights (which make you feel a bit like you're at a Butlin's holiday camp!) do seem to be slightly more mixed. Annie's is more popular than The Oak with the older folk, and the atmosphere is always friendly and lively, especially when the karaoke is on.

Newcastle
Bars
The Yard (Formerly the Courtyard) and Heavens Above (Upstairs)
2 Scotswood Road
(0191) 261 0488
Mon - Wed 8pm-11pm, Thur-Sat 7.30-12pm, Sun 8-10.30pm
Popular gay pub, particularly with the more mature crowd. Has had a recent refurbishment which has brightened it up a little. Upstairs bar is for the young. Cabaret features on various nights including comedy and drag.

Nottingham
Bars
The Central (formerly Gatsby`s)
Huntingdon Street
Tel: 0115 9505323
Primarily attracts an older crowd. There are two bars: one playing loud dance music with a dark dancefloor, one playing very cheesier tracks. The cheesy side is complete with a very kitsch décor -- cobra lamps! -- and the other side is too dark to see. Here the crowd includes the older gent and a fair few transvestites. The atmosphere is very smokey indeed.

Organisations
Older Gay Men's Group
Nottingham L&G Switchboard
7 Mansfield Road,
Nottingham,
NG1 3FB
Tel: 0115 934 8485
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 19.00-22.00

Norwich
The Castle
1 Spitalfields off Ketts Hill
NR1 4EY
Tel 01603 768886
Fax 01603 628325
Busy gay-run pub offering pool, jukebox, amusement machines, Internet access, beer garden and regular promotions, Large car park. admin@thecastlepub.fsnet.co.uk

Oldham
Pennine Sauna
96 Rochdale Road above launderette (5 mins from exit 21 of M62)
Shaw, Oldham
Tel: (01706) 842000
Opens: Sat, Sun, Mon, Wed 1pm-9pm
Facilities Sauna Box Steam Cabin Public Rest Room TV Video Sat Food and drink available Darkrooms
Slightly older mix, surroundings a bit tatty, but activity usually OK - Afternoons are very busy.

Sheffield
Rutland Arms
86 Brown Street (0114) 272 9003
Traditional, mixed gay-friendly pub attracting a slightly older, less queenie crowd. Well known for their good selection of real ales. Mon-Sat 11.30am-11pm Sun 12pm-4pm/7pm-11pm Food: Mon-Fri 12pm-7.30pm Sat 12pm-2.30pm, Sun 12pm-3pm

Southampton
The London Hotel
2 Teminus Terrace, Southampton
Tel. 02380-710652
Popular with the older crowd
Large, friendly pub, fantastic on a cabaret night. Lots going on all week with quiz nights, Friday cabarets. Mixed crowd of people and TV's. Food served all week and a great sunday roast served. Recently re-carpeted throughout.

Southport
The Falstaff
68 King St
Southport PR8 1LG
Tel: 01704 501116
Mixed pub. Attracts an older gay crowd particularly Sundays although not cruisy.

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