G-A-Y Bar, Soho, W1

One room with the bar to the left. Actually had Leffe on offer, which surprised me. No real ale, of course, just other keg fonts. Not so obviously gay at 5.15pm on a Tuesday, but I'll bet that changes later on.

Official site of G-A-Y Bar - www.g-a-y.co.uk

Official site of G-A-Y Bar - www.g-a-y.co.uk

The name indicates the main client base for this lively, popular bar in the heart of Soho. It's a stereotypical club-style bar on two floors aimed at a particular social group whose main criterion isn't real ale. Just as well, as there is none on sale. On entering (the bar) we were 'searched' by a doorman. He did not offend, but equally the search was not effective – it established simply that I am male and did not have a firearm concealed to the front of my waistband. I don't usually conceal firearms about my person in London. Weapons of minimal destruction aside, there was no real ale, and you couldn't hear any conversation over the background noise pollution, which my Contemporary Culture Consultant (or 'teenage daughter', if you prefer) tells me is what is currently euphemistically referred to as 'music'. I am unlikely to return but I'm sure it's a great venue for those at whom it is aimed.