Comptons of Soho stands on
Old Compton Street in
Soho in the
West End of
London. Old Compton Street is regarded as
the gay street in London, and Comptons is the original gay bar located on that street. It was built as "the Swiss Hotel" in 1890, and renamed "Swiss Tavern" in the 1950s, being already known as "not entirely straight"
[1] By 1986 the Swiss Tavern had been renovated and renamed "Comptons Of Soho" as a gay bar.
[2] In November 2006 it celebrated its twentieth anniversary, at which time
QX Magazine referred to it as "The Grand Dame of Queer Street"
[2]
It is a traditional British pub, formerly with a central bar which one could walk right around, now moved to the side to give more space to punters. It has been described as Britain's highest grossing pub for its size.
Famous people who frequented
Film director Derek Jarman was often seen drinking in Comptons.
Address
51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 6HJ
References
- ↑ http://www.qxmagazine.com/pdf/backissues/qx596.pdf
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.qxmagazine.com/pdf/backissues/qx614.pdf
