John's Guide to Leather & Bear London
This guide is written by a kinky gay leatherman who lived in London until Oct 2019. It's entirely personal: there are no banner adverts or pop ups, and no one has paid for any of the content. If a club or business is marked recommended it's because I go there.
I started the guide in 1999 and updated it every week for the next ten years as I went out each weekend. In 2019 I moved to the South coast so I'm not as connected to the London scene as I used to be.
If you see something you think is incorrect or a new venture has opened that should be included - please send details via the form on the 'contact me' page.
Until 2020 I taught workshops at kink events around the world and provided entertainment in the evenings. I've performed solo stand-up comedy shows at events in Atlanta, Budapest, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Oslo, Rome and West Palm Beach. My last comedy show Monster received 4 five star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival. You can watch the full version of Monster online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZAXNkrwII (18+ age restriction due to content).
In March 2020 lockdown hit and all my live work was cancelled. My last comedy show was about mental health and as a result people began to get in touch about kink mentoring and private coaching. I took a diploma with Animas Centre for Coaching and two courses in First Aid for Mental Health. I'm now working full time as a kink mentor and coach helping people with happiness and self-acceptance. I also work with Thriving Autistic helping people adjust to an autism diagnosis. More info at www.johnpendal.com
IMPORTANT EVENTS
Pride Unbound - 30 June to 2 July 2023 (prideunbound.uk)
Fetish Week London - 9 to 16 July 2023 (fetishweek.com)
UK Black Pride - Sat 19 August 2023 (ukblackpride.org.uk)
Pride Unbound - 30 June to 2 July 2023 (prideunbound.uk)
Fetish Week London - 9 to 16 July 2023 (fetishweek.com)
UK Black Pride - Sat 19 August 2023 (ukblackpride.org.uk)
*RECOMMENDED* The UK Leather Archive is at the Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4QH. The archive is looking for contributions of posters, newsletters, photos, videos, magazines etc. from the leather community. Anyone can come and use the archive for research, it's open Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm, no appointment or ID required. (www.bishopsgate.org.uk/archives)
*RECOMMENDED* Websites Lthr.club and leathermentravel.com are excellent worldwide directories of leather clubs, events and businesses around the world. Well worth a look.
CONTENTS
New to London - covers public transport; drink, drugs and poppers; gay papers; LGBT comedy nights; gay friendly accommodation; tourist attractions and gyms (29 August 2023)
Leather & Fetish Retail - London shops, fetish fairs, appointment only workshops and online businesses (9 Jan 2023)
Leather & Fetish Clubs - Bars and clubs that attract a leather/ rubber/ fetish crowd, one-off events, and special interest groups (19 Nov 2023)
London Bear Scene - if you like your men big and furry with a bit of heft (19 Nov 2023)
First Time on the Scene - first night out? Here are some tips that helped me
My Leather Biography - if you're wondering who I am (6 Nov 2023)
Coaching and Kink Mentoring - if you'd like online sessions (6 Nov 2023)
Workshops and Seminars - some of the BDSM workshops and seminars I teach (6 Nov 2023)
BDSM Model - I created this is 2008 to help explain BDSM sexuality
Reply to JK Rowling - my response to JK Rowling's essay on trans rights (12 June 2020)
Worldwide Leather & Kink Links - including BDSM and Civil Rights Campaigners, Publications and Resources, Clubs, Events and Retail (31 January 2023)
Contact me - where you can get in touch with changes to the guide, or if you'd like to book me for coaching, kink mentoring or a workshop.
Leather & Fetish Retail - London shops, fetish fairs, appointment only workshops and online businesses (9 Jan 2023)
Leather & Fetish Clubs - Bars and clubs that attract a leather/ rubber/ fetish crowd, one-off events, and special interest groups (19 Nov 2023)
London Bear Scene - if you like your men big and furry with a bit of heft (19 Nov 2023)
First Time on the Scene - first night out? Here are some tips that helped me
My Leather Biography - if you're wondering who I am (6 Nov 2023)
Coaching and Kink Mentoring - if you'd like online sessions (6 Nov 2023)
Workshops and Seminars - some of the BDSM workshops and seminars I teach (6 Nov 2023)
BDSM Model - I created this is 2008 to help explain BDSM sexuality
Reply to JK Rowling - my response to JK Rowling's essay on trans rights (12 June 2020)
Worldwide Leather & Kink Links - including BDSM and Civil Rights Campaigners, Publications and Resources, Clubs, Events and Retail (31 January 2023)
Contact me - where you can get in touch with changes to the guide, or if you'd like to book me for coaching, kink mentoring or a workshop.
One more thing...
There has been a rapid increase of sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.s) in London, especially hepatitis, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. It is possible to be infected and have no symptoms, but if left untreated they can be very damaging. If you are sexually active make sure you have regular (e.g. every 3 months) check-ups at a GUM clinic and get vaccinated for Hepatitis A & B. Check-ups and vaccines are free, confidential and you don't have to give your real name. You can find your nearest sexual health clinic in the UK at www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health/find-a-sexual-health-clinic
The volunteers at the Switchboard.lgbt are happy to answer your questions. Their phone number is 0300 330 0630, open from 10am to 10pm every day (www.switchboard.lgbt)
There's more information about London's fetish shops and clubs at www.fetishmap.co.uk
The volunteers at the Switchboard.lgbt are happy to answer your questions. Their phone number is 0300 330 0630, open from 10am to 10pm every day (www.switchboard.lgbt)
There's more information about London's fetish shops and clubs at www.fetishmap.co.uk
Site updated 19 November 2023
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2023 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2023 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
