The Colombian Hotel

This former bank is one of Oxford Street’s staples when it comes to gay bars. The Colombian’s spacious street-level bar features cushy booths for a midnight pash and bar-stool seating that screams ‘you’re one chardonnay away from falling off me'. A generous window where punters can sit and watch passing junkie-wars and dramatic lesbian break-ups is always lined with interesting characters. The upstairs bar of this popular queer haunt is lounge-inspired, where designer lamps and mood lighting set a retro-inspired tone - all pretty swish. The Colombian pulls in a steady stream of afternoon tipplers who pop in for a few post-work bevvies and end up crawling out after last drinks. While the crowd is predominantly gay and lesbian during the week, Friday and Saturday nights attract a mixed crowd of queers, straights and metrosexuals who walk like Tarzan but swing like Jane. Rotating DJs, top-shelf drag shows, a standard selection of beers on tap and a creative cocktail list makes the Colombian a great spot to chill with friends (or walk on the wild side if the wife is out of town).