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Duke of Wellington
Bars

Duke of Wellington

No-fuss Soho gay pub known locally as the Welly

London, UK
4.1
2,180 reviews

Neighbourhood

London

Category

Bars

Vibe

Gay pub, Soho +6

About Duke of Wellington

The Duke of Wellington—usually just called the Welly—is a traditional gay pub on Wardour Street, seconds from Old Compton Street. It is less polished than some Soho bars and all the better for it: a straightforward place for pints, conversation and an easy start to the night. The ground floor is compact and lively, with plenty of standing and people-watching, while upstairs can offer more room when open. A changing programme may include DJs, quizzes, karaoke, bingo or drag, but the core appeal is its pub atmosphere and friendly mix of regulars, visitors and after-work drinkers. Drop in early for a quieter catch-up or later for more noise and energy. Entertainment and upstairs opening can vary, so check the venue's current listings if a specific event matters to your plans.

What to expect

Expect an informal, often busy gay pub where chatting and drinking come first. Event nights add DJs, drag, quizzes or karaoke.

Vibes

Good to know

Practical tips before you visit

The compact ground floor fills quickly at popular times
Upstairs and event schedules can vary
A very short walk from the main Old Compton Street bars

Gallery

Location

Duke of Wellington

Duke Of Wellington, Wardour Street, West End, London, UK

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WhereIs.Gay rating

4.1

2,180 reviews

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

Rating by source

  • WhereIs.Gay
    4.0
  • Google Maps
    4.4
  • Yelp
    3.7

Been here? Rate Duke of Wellington

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WhereIs.Gay reviews

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

pedro.nido

8 May 2017

Good bar for warm weather as able to drink outside in street ... or take drink across road and sit on wall in front of church. Bit dark inside but drinks reasonably priced.

WhereIs.Gay review

WhereIs.Gay visitor

28 Jun 2015

The Duke of Wellington has the reputation as one of the most friendly gay pubs in London - and it is. You'll find reasonably priced drinks and a bar that spills out onto the pavement on a busy weekend night. There also isn't usually a five deep queue for the bar even on a busy night which is a big plus!

WhereIs.Gay review

Featured Google Maps reviews

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

MIGUEL BORGE
MIGUEL BORGE

5 months ago

Very disappointing experience overall. We had a table supposedly booked in advance, but upon arrival there was no record of our reservation, which immediately set the tone. To make matters worse, a large section of the venue was closed, further limiting seating. Service was particularly poor. When we ordered two beers, they were presented in a way that felt almost condescending, as if we were being done a favour rather than being served as paying customers. The staff were unfriendly and impersonal throughout, absolutely no eye contact, no acknowledgment, and no effort to create even a basic level of hospitality. Cleanliness was an issue. Tables were not cleared or cleaned, menus were sticky, and the overall environment felt neglected and unhygienic. It gave the impression that customer experience is not a priority and that guests are simply taken for granted. It’s genuinely disappointing to encounter this level of service and upkeep in London. Definitely not a place I would recommend.

Review from Google Maps

Eris Herbert
Eris Herbert

10 months ago

One of my favourite LGBT+ venues when it says it’s welcoming of everyone it really means it. Fun and friendly staff. Great DJs and entertainment. A full roster of fun events and activities for everyone to join in. Always a pleasure and above all a safe space!

Review from Google Maps

Writer Shard
Writer Shard

3 months ago

It's more active than other pubs in Soho. Louder music in the ground floor, warmer atmosphere in the upper decks. The bartenders are honestly great and friendly. If you're a lonely gay heart, this is a good place for you.

Review from Google Maps

Arianna Rita
Arianna Rita

4 months ago

Unfortunately, the dinner didn’t meet expectations. The pork portions were very small, the potatoes were undercooked, and the beef Wellington, even though we were informed it would take 40 minutes, arrived with a soggy, undercooked crust and the meat was dry. The sauce tasted more like a broth than an actual sauce. The only truly positive aspect was the staff, who were friendly and attentive throughout the evening.

Review from Google Maps

Martin Reviews
Martin Reviews

a year ago

The Duke of Wellington is a famous meeting place an d well known to Soho visitors. I love this hotel and has been a part of me for many years. Right in the beating heart of Soho, this spot is basically impossible to miss. It’s like the slightly cheeky living room of Old Compton Street — people watching heaven. If Soho had a town square, this pub would be it. Think of it as Soho’s unofficial catwalk. You’ll get a mix of after-work suits loosening their ties, glitter-sprinkled party starters, and locals who’ve been here since before “trendy” was even a word. It’s friendly, it’s eclectic. Classic pub arsenal with just enough options to keep you buzzing. Expect your crisp pints, a solid G&T, and maybe a cheeky cocktail if you’re in the mood. Not the fanciest mixology den in Soho, but it does the job — plus the vibe makes that pint taste twice as good. This isn’t your “quiet pint and sudoku” kind of place. The entertainment here is the crowd itself. Camp banter, pop tracks spilling from the speakers, and the occasional spontaneous singalong that feels like you’ve stepped into a sitcom episode. During big nights (Pride, Eurovision, random Tuesdays), it transforms into a full-blown stage without even trying. "The Duke of Wellington is like Soho in a pint glass — loud, sparkly, cheeky, and never dull. Come for the drinks, stay for the people-watching, leave with a story"

Review from Google Maps

Featured Yelp review excerpts

Excerpts provided by Yelp. Read full reviews on Yelp.

Uli B.

Uli B.

31 Oct 2024

The nice thing about the Welly is that they have the lower and upper part: the lower is certainly where all the action is happening: loud music, folks...

Read full review on Yelp

Review excerpt from Yelp

Alex K.

Alex K.

14 Jan 2026

A smaller and more low key bar compared to others that we've been too. The crowd seemed to be mellow when we walked in. It wasn't that big in the main area...

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Review excerpt from Yelp

Beau H.

Beau H.

18 Sept 2025

Duke of Wellington is a fun place and the bartenders know everything to do in the area. I would actually say to start here with your evening and make your...

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Review excerpt from Yelp

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Listing details

Last updated
12 September 2026
Listed in
London › United Kingdom
Data from
WhereIs.Gay community, the venue, Google and Yelp