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Comptons
Bars

Comptons

Traditional Soho gay pub with two floors and a sociable crowd

London, UK
4.1
1,390 reviews

Neighbourhood

London

Category

Bars

Vibe

Gay pub, Soho +5

Official website

About Comptons

Comptons is one of the anchors of gay Soho: a traditional two-floor pub in a prominent corner position on Old Compton Street. It has served the LGBTQ+ community for decades and remains an easy place to meet friends, start a night or simply watch Soho pass by. Downstairs is lively and often standing-room only at busy times, with a crowd that has historically leaned towards gay men while remaining welcoming to the wider community. Upstairs usually offers a little more space and a better chance of conversation. The soundtrack and energy rise later in the day, but this is fundamentally a pub rather than a full nightclub. Come for a classic Soho atmosphere, familiar drinks and a broad mix of regulars and visitors. If you want a seat or a quieter catch-up, earlier is better; Friday and Saturday evenings can become very busy.

What to expect

Expect a traditional, bustling gay pub with most people drinking and chatting rather than dancing. The ground floor gets crowded at peak times.

Vibes

Good to know about Comptons

Practical tips before you visit

Busy weekend periods can mean standing room only
The upstairs bar may have different opening times from the ground floor
Right in the centre of Old Compton Street

Photos of Comptons

Venue photos and gallery images for Comptons in London.

Location

Comptons

Comptons, Old Compton Street, London, UK

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Comptonsreviews & ratings

Read ratings and recent reviews of Comptons in London from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIs.Gay where available.

4.1

1,390 reviews

Overall rating across WhereIs.Gay, Google Maps and Yelp.

Rating by source

  • WhereIs.Gay
    4.0
  • Google Maps
    4.4
  • Yelp
    3.8

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WhereIs.Gay reviews

Submitted by WhereIs.Gay visitors and approved by our team.

pedro.nido

8 May 2017

Nice bar for people of my age (40+) on main Soho strip. Don't be put off by the crowds of people smoking outside. Upstairs is plenty of space with tables if lucky. Beers good price but spirits seem a little expensive.

WhereIs.Gay review

oliden

9 Oct 2015

This place can be over crowded (and maybe the drinks a bit overpriced), but in this venue, you'll find nice guys and a lot of space. Crowd and not feeling squeezed? It's a luxury in London!

WhereIs.Gay review

Featured Google Maps reviews

Selected by Google Maps. Read more reviews on Google Maps.

Jens Brand
Jens Brand

10 months ago

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Soho Icon With Heart, History & the Friendliest Team Around Comptons in Soho isn’t just a pub—it’s a living piece of LGBTQ+ history, and every visit reminds you why it continues to matter. The moment you walk through the doors, there’s an undeniable sense of belonging, community, and pride woven into the building’s heritage. It has stood as a safe, joyful, and empowering space for decades, and you genuinely feel that legacy in the atmosphere. But what truly elevates Comptons is the incredible staff—especially Sean and Ivan. They’re the kind of people who don’t just serve you a drink—they make you feel seen, welcomed, and completely at home. Their warmth feels effortless, their energy is infectious, and their hospitality sets the tone for the whole venue. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, they greet you like old friends. Service is friendly, attentive, and impressively fast, even when the place is buzzing. Comptons remains one of those rare places where history meets modern LGBTQ+ culture—where people gather not just to socialize, but to celebrate identity, community, and connection. It’s comfortable, uplifting, and full of character, and the team clearly takes pride in keeping that spirit alive. If you’re in Soho and want a place that feels authentic, vibrant, and genuinely welcoming, Comptons is—and always has been—the heart of it all. Thanks to legends like Sean and Ivan, it continues to shine.

Review from Google Maps

Robert Fahr
Robert Fahr

3 weeks ago

Nicest bartenders to me and my fellow Yanks. Cheeky as the Brits say. Caters to all ages but skews middle to a touch older from my trips in. Low level of attitude from the patrons or staff. Shoutouts to Tim and Tristan.

Review from Google Maps

Luke Attwood
Luke Attwood

6 months ago

Great spot for a drink. Gets busy - upstairs if you can get a seat is always a cute and cosy vibe. Always good chats and the music puts all the other gay bars to shame in my opinion in Soho!

Review from Google Maps

Carl B
Carl B

3 months ago

Me and my friends love Comptons! It’s such a n amazing place! The bar guys/girls are amazing so fast and efficient! There are few things we would like to recommend as customers! - Please have Zero Alcohol beer ( pints ) on the Tap like we have in other European countries! - Have a visible drinks menu price! A lot of people are in a tight budget or want to see prices tô make à order/ decision. - Music!!! I have been there in the afternoon and there is no music or it’s very low so the ambience becomes unattractive nor inspiring ( I don’t mean very loud music but in a good volume so people enjoy the place / music more). - The toilets need a revamp urgently, I don’t know why the new normal in pubs / bars is to have stinky old toilets. Don’t get me wrong I love Comptons and my suggestions comes from a person who loves the place and wish to see it improves. - See you later for a drink or 2! I’m not drinking alcohol at the moment I know you have bottles of alcohol free beer, what’s price? Is the same a normal price pint is it worthy? That’s one example what we need 0 alcohol beer on the tap and visible menus :) Love you guys Xxxx

Review from Google Maps

Wayne Ferguson
Wayne Ferguson

4 months ago

Compton's is definitely a must visit spot whenever you're in London and has become one of our go-to gay bars in the city. It has great welcoming vibe that works just as well for a relaxed daytime stop as it does for a livelier night out. During the day it's perfect for popping in for a pint and taking it easy there's a casual laid-back field that makes it feel easy to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere. Then at night the energy really picks up making it a fun place for stronger drinks socializing and soaking in the crowd. What we love most is its consistency. Whether you're stopping by for a quick drink or planning to hang out for awhile, Compton's always delivers a good time. It's friendly unpretentious and has that classic London charm that keeps us coming back every time we're in town.

Review from Google Maps

Featured Yelp review excerpts

Excerpts provided by Yelp. Read full reviews on Yelp.

Evan A.

Evan A.

24 May 2025

Great bar in London. Came here for my first visit and came back again. This time is was during the week after work and there was a great crowd still....

Read full review on Yelp

Review excerpt from Yelp

Jerry C.

Jerry C.

9 Nov 2024

Comptons has been around for a long time, looks the same for years, and still manages to pack in the gay crowd especially in evenings and weekends. Don't...

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Review excerpt from Yelp

Ed U.

Ed U.

23 Jul 2024

Clearly this is the most popular gay bar in Soho, right? When Jamie W. and I sauntered by on a weeknight evening, we were quite intimidated by the number of...

Read full review on Yelp

Review excerpt from Yelp

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Listing details

Listed in
London › United Kingdom
Data from
WhereIs.Gay community, the venue, Google and Yelp