John's Guide to Leather & Bear London
(photo Steve Ullathorne / poster David Hardcastle)
This guide is written by a kinky gay leatherman who lives in London. It's purely personal: there are no banner adverts or pop ups, and no one has paid me for any of the content. If a club or business is "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 2010 I changed career to stand-up comedy (www.johnpendal.com), and now I travel to gigs most weekends 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.
I'll be at Edinburgh Festival Fringe from Weds 1 to Mon 27 Aug (not 13) performing a solo comedy show "We Are Family" from 5.30-6.30pm at Gilded Balloon Teviot - Sportsmans, 13 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AJ.
(Tickets from https://gildedballoon.co.uk/programme/performances.php?eventId=14:2374)
I have two other solo comedy shows "International Man of Leather” and "How to Escape From Stuff" - all available for LGBT and kink events.
IMPORTANT DATES
UK Black Pride (same day as London Pride): 7 July 2018 (https://ukblackpride.org.uk)
Fetish Week London: 8 to 15 July 2018 (www.fetishweek.com)
London Fetish Weekend: 4 to 7 Oct 2018 (www.londonfetishweekend.com)
UK Black Pride (same day as London Pride): 7 July 2018 (https://ukblackpride.org.uk)
Fetish Week London: 8 to 15 July 2018 (www.fetishweek.com)
London Fetish Weekend: 4 to 7 Oct 2018 (www.londonfetishweekend.com)
*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/Library/Library-and-Archive-Collections/LGBT-History/UK-Leather-Archive)
(www.bishopsgate.org.uk/Library/Library-and-Archive-Collections/LGBT-History/UK-Leather-Archive)
*RECOMMENDED* Website Lthr.club - a database of leather clubs, events, photographers and shops 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
Leather & Fetish Retail - London shops, fetish fairs, appointment only workshops and online businesses
Leather & Fetish Clubs - Bars and clubs that attract a leather/ rubber/ fetish crowd, one-off events, and special interest groups
Bears - if you like your men big and furry with a bit of heft
First Time on the Scene - first night out? Here are some tips that helped me
My "Leather CV (or resume)" - in case you're wondering who I am
Workshops and Seminars - a list of some of the BDSM workshops and seminars I teach, the events where I've taught and upcoming appearances.
Links - 'leather and kink worldwide' including BDSM and Civil Rights Campaigners, Publications and Resources, Clubs, Events and Retail
Contact me - Links to other places you can find me online, banner ads you can use to link to the site, and a form where you can get in touch with changes to the guide, or if you'd like to book me for comedy or a workshop.
Leather & Fetish Retail - London shops, fetish fairs, appointment only workshops and online businesses
Leather & Fetish Clubs - Bars and clubs that attract a leather/ rubber/ fetish crowd, one-off events, and special interest groups
Bears - if you like your men big and furry with a bit of heft
First Time on the Scene - first night out? Here are some tips that helped me
My "Leather CV (or resume)" - in case you're wondering who I am
Workshops and Seminars - a list of some of the BDSM workshops and seminars I teach, the events where I've taught and upcoming appearances.
Links - 'leather and kink worldwide' including BDSM and Civil Rights Campaigners, Publications and Resources, Clubs, Events and Retail
Contact me - Links to other places you can find me online, banner ads you can use to link to the site, and a form where you can get in touch with changes to the guide, or if you'd like to book me for comedy 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. There is a list of London clinics plus sexual health info at https://www.gmfa.org.uk/Pages/Category/gum-clinics-london
The volunteers at the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard are happy to answer your questions. Their phone number is 0300 330 0630, open from 10am to 11pm every day (www.switchboard.lgbt) - They also run an events listings service at www.turingnetwork..org.uk
There's more information about London's fetish shops and clubs at www.fetishmap.net
The volunteers at the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard are happy to answer your questions. Their phone number is 0300 330 0630, open from 10am to 11pm every day (www.switchboard.lgbt) - They also run an events listings service at www.turingnetwork..org.uk
There's more information about London's fetish shops and clubs at www.fetishmap.net
Site last updated 10 August 2018
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2018 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.
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2018 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.