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 went 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.
I've been a BDSM educator for over 20 years and teach workshops online and at kink events. There's a list of my upcoming appearances here.
I also work online with clients anywhere in the world providing kink mentoring and helping neurodivergent adults. (More info at www.johnpendal.com)
IMPORTANT INFO
London Leather Weekend - 15 to 17 Nov 2024 (londonleathermen.co.uk)
Fetish Week London - 6 to 13 July 2025 (fetishweek.com)
London Leather Weekend - 15 to 17 Nov 2024 (londonleathermen.co.uk)
Fetish Week London - 6 to 13 July 2025 (fetishweek.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/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/ poppers, gay papers, accommodation, tourist attractions and gyms (27 August 2024)
Leather & Fetish Retail - London shops, fetish fairs, appointment only workshops and online businesses (8 July 2024)
Leather & Fetish Clubs - Bars and clubs that attract a leather/ rubber/ fetish crowd, one-off events, and special interest groups (1 Dec 2024)
London Bear Scene - if you like your men big and furry with a bit of heft (10 Nov 2024)
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 (23 Sept 2024)
Coaching and Kink Mentoring - online sessions (31 August 2024)
Workshops and Seminars - some of the BDSM workshops and seminars I teach (23 Sept 2024)
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 (3 Nov 2024)
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 (8 July 2024)
Leather & Fetish Clubs - Bars and clubs that attract a leather/ rubber/ fetish crowd, one-off events, and special interest groups (1 Dec 2024)
London Bear Scene - if you like your men big and furry with a bit of heft (10 Nov 2024)
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 (23 Sept 2024)
Coaching and Kink Mentoring - online sessions (31 August 2024)
Workshops and Seminars - some of the BDSM workshops and seminars I teach (23 Sept 2024)
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 (3 Nov 2024)
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 1 December 2024
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2024 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 1999-2024 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.
