An exclusive look inside the former G-A-Y Bar in London's Soho reveals a glitter-strewn shell, stripped of its former life, as the search for a new operator continues to stall.
A Glittering Ghost of Its Former Self
Stepping into the venue on Old Compton Street, which closed its doors in October 2025, the most vivid reminder of its past is the head-to-toe glitter still clinging to the walls. With most furniture removed and the bars dismantled, the space is a world away from its heyday. The silence is a stark contrast to the chart music that once filled the air, and only a few flickering lights illuminate the bare purple walls and polished floors.
Yet, echoes of its history remain. A few stickers bearing the G-A-Y logo and playful innuendos hide in corners, and a row of pride flags still hangs defiantly above the front door. Despite its prime location and rich legacy as a cornerstone of the capital's LGBT+ scene, no new tenant has been found since owner Jeremy Joseph first put the lease up for sale nearly a year ago.
Inside the Vast, Empty Space
The building's true scale is only apparent now it stands empty. The four-storey site housed more than just bars and a dancefloor. The basement reveals a maze of corridors connecting toilets, a coat room, and a lower bar. On the third floor, a surprise discovery: a large, fully functional kitchen adjacent to office space, a feature that has prompted agents to consider restaurant options.
"This does mean we are looking at restaurant options to fill the space, because who knew this was actually here!" said Hannah Barter of Kenningham Retail. The top floor contains a residential flat complete with a mini-sauna.
The Struggle to Secure a Future for the Site
Jeremy Joseph told Metro he received several offers during a discreet sale process, but none were from prospective LGBT+ venue operators. "I am now regretting turning them down, because in the end I just had to exit the lease," he admitted. "I wanted to keep it as LGBT+ for the sake of Old Compton Street, but I doubt any new operators will keep that pride focus as all of hospitality is suffering at the moment."
Landlords Soho Estates face mounting pressure. From mid-January, their empty-rates relief expires, making them liable for full business rates of roughly £152,375 per year. Gemma Watts from Soho Estates stated their priority is an LGBT+ tenant, but finding a long-term leaseholder committed to the community is difficult. They are considering everything from pop-ups to fashion shows.
The wider challenges for London's hospitality sector are a key factor. Rising costs, staffing shortages, and licensing issues have dampened incentives for new bars. Customer trends are also shifting towards experience-led venues like competitive socialising concepts, away from traditional nightclubs.
Joseph's decision to leave was also influenced by a perceived change on Old Compton Street itself. "I made up my mind to leave Soho after I saw around only 40% of businesses on Old Compton Street were openly supporting pride," he said. "I just thought, 'what's the point?'"
As the glitter slowly settles in the empty building, the future of one of Soho's most iconic venues hangs in the balance, symbolising the broader pressures on London's LGBT+ nightlife and high-street hospitality.
