If you're in Soho and looking for a chill spot that's big on fun and inclusivity, the Duke of Wellington, or 'The Welly' as it's affectionately known, is your go-to. This place is a Soho staple, buzzing with a friendly gay vibe and welcoming everyone who's up for a good time.
The Welly's got this easy-going, no-fuss atmosphere that makes you feel like you're just hanging out at your mate's place. It's spread over two floors, with the downstairs being more about standing, chatting, and perhaps a bit of people-watching. Upstairs is cozier, perfect if you want to kick back a bit more or maybe even book it for a private do.
What really sets the Duke of Wellington apart is its lineup of events. They've got everything from bingo nights that will have you in stitches to drag quizzes that are a total hoot. And if you're into DJs and dancing, they've got you covered most nights of the week.
Located on Wardour Street, The Welly's super easy to get to, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. Whether you're after a casual pint, some good old banter, or just a cool place to start your night in Soho, this pub's got you sorted. Plus, the staff are top-notch; they make sure you're having a great time.
I don't usually write Yelp reviews, but the appalling experience, or lack thereof, at this establishment demands to be shared. During a visit to London last...
I love this place and come often. But it was very cold today and inside they had very poor heating on. I asked the barman and the manager if the the heating could be turned. They just laughed. Maybe I’ll only come in warm weather from now on
It's a fantastic pub with a lively and welcoming atmosphere. This pub has a classic feel with a modern twist, making it a great spot to relax with friends or meet new people. The staff are friendly and attentive, and there’s a great selection of drinks. I love most is the friendly vibe, with great live DJs music. Whether you’re there for a casual drink or a night out, the Duke of Wellington is a great place!
Good pub for fish and chips, beer…good system to order from app or directly from the bar. Floor staff was great. Bartender wasn’t having the best day. Overall just ok. They can improve atmosphere and restroom cleanliness. It’s near Victoria Station. Perhaps that influences on cleanliness.
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...
We were enjoying our pints and the mudic, when customers walked in with a dog. So we finished our pints outside in plastic glasses. Would have been cheaper to get tins from the supermarket.Used to come here when we were in town, but until you put asthmatic and allergic customers before dogs, we can't come back in.
Found this wee gem with my partner by accident. Made up for the disappointment when we visited another gay/gay friendly the night before. Whatever was wrong the night before was certainly put right by the Welly today. Will definitely be back. We decided to make it our local when we return to London. Thank you Welly so much xx 😊
One of Soho's bland, chain bars that happens to be gay. Some of the staff are easy on the eye and this venue is worth visiting if you are already in Soho but not worth travelling any distance to visit. The bar has something of an identity crisis between being a bar that happens to be gay and a drag venue. All very confusing.
Ah, The Duke of Wellington. Or as I like to call it, “The Bear Kingdom of Soho.” If you're strolling through Soho and suddenly feel an inexplicable urge to cuddle a large, hairy man while sipping on a pint, then congratulations, you've found your new home!Walking into The Duke of Wellington is like stepping into a cozy, slightly chaotic living room—if your living room happened to be filled with burly, bearded men in leather, and the occasional disco ball. The vibe is welcoming, the crowd is friendly.Let’s talk about the bears. No, not the ones you see on National Geographic. The real deal. These guys are as diverse as a bag of jelly beans. You’ve got your classic bears, otters, cubs, and the occasional panda. It’s like a gay zoo, but better, because there’s beer.The music is a blend of guilty pleasures and dance classics—think Kylie, Madonna, and Cher. You haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed a room full of bears singing along to “I Will Survive” while simultaneously trying to out-bear each other.And the staff? Absolute gems. They pour drinks with a smile and will join in your bad jokes without missing a beat. The bartenders are like the Gandalf of gay bars, guiding you through your quest for a good time with wisdom and occasional shots of tequila.In short, The Duke of Wellington is a roaring good time. Whether you're a bear, an admirer, or just a curious traveler looking for a memorable night out, this place has got you covered. Just remember: what happens in the bear den stays in the bear den. Unless, of course, it ends up on Instagram. 🐻
I found this great pub one Saturday afternoon on a solo trip to the theatre.Really lovely friendly bar staff and clientele.I visited again yesterday and again was on a solo theatre trip and found myself a seat at a table with 2 lovely guys who were very friendly and we chatted away until they had to leave and I was greeted with another 3 lovely guys who took their seats.We chatted and laughed and I had a great time.I don't mind going into a pub by myself but sometimes I feel a bit uncomfortable but this brilliant pub is the kind of place that really makes you feel welcome and people speak to you .Really great place and will definitely be back again
Great place to chill before or after dinner/theatre... Great atmosphere and good service... The bar staff are great, Constantino is always smiling and so friendly... The rest of the staff are super cool
This is one of the best gay bar in Soho. Really great crowd, friendly and attentive member of staff. Also a big praise should go to the security staff who are among the best, hard working and kindest I ever met. Very well done to the all staff at the Duke of Wellington.
Really vibrant bar with a warm, inclusive atmosphere. The staff are friendly and provide excellent service, ensuring a great experience. It's the perfect spot for a fun night out with a diverse and welcoming crowd. Highly recommended for its lively vibe and top-notch hospitality.
after spending nearly £90 in drinks for my friend and i, my friend was invited to leave the bar because the security guy "perceived" my friend was in drugs....
Visited this lovely bar recently and was pleasantly surprised by the chill atmosphere, good music and excellent service! Particular thanks to bartender called Cat she was so professional and friendly, lover her Scottish accent too. We will be back for sure
This Pub is one of my favourite spots in Soho. I’ve been in Drag Bingo nights or just really any day of the week is a good place to hang with friends and make new ones. The service at the bar is quick and I personally like the banter with Max.
£3.50 for a cider on a Monday, as a tight northerner with fears of London i was not expecting this! Max the barman was very friendly to us when we went in at the weekend too. A fantastic and welcoming place to be
Probably my favourite pub in Soho (maybe even London!). Great drinks. The staff are always so friendly, Max is a delight especially 😇 really love this proud and gorgeous bar.
Great place to go, lots of groups and lone rangers, staff for the most part are very friendly - I’d recommend this to anyone visiting aline as it’s very easy to make friends!
Best pub in soho I reckon. The service is amazing. Especially this one barman named Christos! Made my birthday a very special night on Friday, I was very happy. Would go again.
Went on Saturday evening. Was very busy, but the service was great. Special shout out to Meir behind the bar, didn't appear to let the pressure get to him, he was friendly and gave great service with a smile. Dazzling smile. 🤩
Amazing experience. It is the first gay bar I've been to in London, and actually I went there with my straight bestie (girl). I quickly felt comfortable and up/. Amazing service and bartenders. People were also kind, gentlemem and nice
This is a really great bar. I felt comfortable here. Delicious drinks, nice guests, and the drag artist as DJane was really great too. Greetings from Germany. xoxo
The bar was crowded but nice. Service was fast and good. The bottom floor was a little crowded but the second floor was a nice chill space. Sadly it closes earlier and we didn’t want to fight the crowd downstairs.
Stayed in Soho on our 4 day trip, popped in here on first afternoon..staff are lovely, funny and friendly, went in a few times and staff recognised us... brilliant place to go ...music the best..met some lovely people...
Not a bad bar as such, but the dreadful music ruined it for us so we only stayed for one drink. Considering the average age of the clientele must be about 45, I don't really understand why they are playing music aimed at 20 year olds.
I went there with friends on the weekend, the wine was terrible, I ordered a sauv blanc, I had them take it back, but then I had to pay for another glass. I'm sure that management check their stock that they buy in. The quality of wine was 1/10
Our first time in this bar, the staff were fantastic & we had a brilliant afternoon in here. Friendly people as well. Would definitely return if we visit London again.
Just happened to wonder in here, great service nice and friendly atmosphere drinks nice and cold ..good music..if you want to sit that mite be a bit tricky..very busy but would definitely go here again.
Normally service in here is great but tonight Monday 4th Dec when the bar is only half full there is a female bartender who is utterly useless. Working very slowly, not noticing who is next at the bar and after waiting nearly 20 minutes to get served she was dismissive and rude and then intentionally served someone else before me who just arrived at the bar. I've been coming here for 15 years but would think again if I walked in and saw the same tall female behind the bar. Rude and terrible at her job.Sort out your staffing Stonegate.
Went to 'Busy Lady Bingo '- it was absolutely brilliant! Sheila Simmonds is the very best 🌟 Ollie runs this beautiful pub and is so welcoming . Thoroughly recommend a visit.
Always nice to be back at this traditional English pub right in the heart of Soho. It offers less busy additional seating upstairs with more packed atmosphere on the ground floor. Service always friendly with great choice of beers on tap
Very welcoming environment.Not much food on offer when I went, although I would stress the bar doesn't really do such and their drink selection and atmosphere more than make up for it.
Great pub, great service and great atmosphere. Visited about 1pm and although quiet, it was still fun. Drinks were a little pricey, though. We returned later and it was packed and the atmosphere was welcoming and good fun. Would definitely visit again.
Wow! Great place to meet friends! So many beers to choose from! Will 100% go back when in London! Gets busy on weekend nights but lots of room to move outside!
It was - as I've got used to here, extremely LOUD early on a Saturday evening - making conversation (at a high volume) uncomfortable. The staff at the bar found it hard to hear me, even when I increased the pitch of my voice. Downstairs was still louder (and with the bass on the music reverberating through both floors, not surprising). Good/spicy Big Tom.
Love this place. Great atmosphere, really love Thursdays and the music that DJ Ben Jamin plays, love that DJ. Great vibe, cool place and people. Great place for a pint and to hang out.
This is such a lovely place. We went on a Friday evening. It had such a great mix of ages and although the majority were men there were women and everyone is so friendly!There was a DJ called Heidi Delicious who was totally fantastic. I have been trying to find her playlists on Spotify or soundcloud because I loved her taste so much! Literally all you could want in a gay pub.
Love the place, Saturday lunchtime, Sunday afternoon it's always a buzz with a lovely crowd enjoying each other's company (and ignoring their phones). Even when busy bar service is fast and always with a smile 😃
Dorian is the best bar supervisor. He made us feel so welcome and his personality shone through. Definitely be back again, he made the whole trip worth it
Decided to visit the Welly after a gap of some time. In the past have found the music far too loud to be able to chat with friends. Much better on this occasion (bank holiday). Had a great evening with friends, good beer/drinks.
Love this pub and the staff are so welcoming and very professional I was extremely impressed with the way they handled a difficult situation with a member of the public bringing his child in to use the toilets the member of the public became very argumentive, all the time the barman kept his professional composure and explained to him where the nearest public to toilets where located.I noticed a couple of things the staff was on top of a spilt drink and instantly they were there cleaning it up.Such great members of staff and an absolute asset to your pub
I Love this Soho Pub! Always friendly with a good weekend crowd - I popped last Friday and found Ben Jammin on the decks - what a breath of fresh air and blast from the past - I remember him from Heaven years ago! Great music great vibes tasty men!
i visited this pub while on my first trip to London. Great place to hang out. Bartender Tony was very friendly and poured a great drink. He made us feel welcome
I always have a great time at the duke. Super friendly staff who have to sometimes struggle with the massive amount of bears trying to order beer, but they do it smiling.Love that there is an outside to escape the noise from the singing and music inside. It's a good space to have a drink and chat with friends or make some new friends/acquaintances.
Could be a bit more keen on the price, the staff are mostly a good bunch.Cal & Talat are brilliant and always a great vibe when they're on.I'd say this probably is my "local" since it's a better crowd compared to other similar bars nearby.The toilets leave a little to be desired however.
Duke of Wellington is an amazing atmosphere, all the staff are so lovely and welcoming and it really is a fun night. I come to Busy Lady Bingo every Tuesday and every single time I leave with tears of laughter streaming down my face and a huge smile going from ear to ear. What makes it even better is the friendly staff. They are always so happy to see you and always make sure you have the best night possible! If you’re ever looking for a great night out, duke of wellington is definitely the place to go!
What a place! Had such an amazing night on Tuesday, cheeky little bit of Busy Lady Bingo with Sheila Simmonds too. I have not had so much fun for a long time! Absolutely perfect! The Team behind the bar and the security were brill, so welcoming! I would definitely recommend this pub to anyone who wants a great night out!
Very good & down to earth unpretentious gay bar for either a good night out or a relaxing beer and chat with your mates in the afternoon.. whatever your mood it's got it covered .. my favourite anyways
The Duke is a key part of Soho’s gay scene - offering a great pub location for a quick beer or for an evening with friends. The venue runs different nights and is a popular and busy venue. The quiz is fab, their coverage of sports games os great and the clientele and staff are friendly! Big fan of the Duke and had lots of fun many times, keep it up team and thank you!
I have visited this pub with my 2 boys and my lovely friend on Wednesday 6th July.I was surprised that my children were allowed inside this late into the evening. We sat upstairs it was quiet. The waite was super friendly and attentive. The food was EXCELLENT- fresh, flavoursome and overall - I will definitely be back.
Me and my organisation had such a fantastic evening at the drag bingo! The staff were very inviting and welcoming, as well as the host (who has also been on Britain's Got Talent!). This was such a hidden gem in the heart of Soho and would definitely recommend you go if you're in the need for some good fun with some great prizes!Definitely will be coming here more, to drink and to bingo!
Definitely a must when visiting London! I always have a great time with friends, just had the time to visit while it was warm out and the crowd gathered outside and filled the street with energy!!
Me and my partner really love this place, been a good handful of times now. It's a good size pub with more space upstairs for seating and chatting, the staff are very friendly and helpful. Great range of drinks and cocktails to boot as well the fab music and colourful lighting.
Touristy and plain bad. Service...what service? Atmosphere....fake pub, almost college like feel..aka not very clean. Turn around and find another place!
Loved Lola’s quiz last night! Super entertaining, incredible atmosphere and perfect for our work team event:) the staff is brilliant, so friendly and welcoming! We’ll definitely come back!! ❤️
TAKE THE GAY FLAG DOWNyou don't cater to gay patronage. You simple block regular customers and you allow women and hen Lottie's. Security is the worst I...
Me and my partner really love this place, been a good handful of times now. It's a good size pub with more space upstairs for seating and chatting, the staff are very friendly and helpful. Great range of drinks and cocktails to boot as well the fab music and colourful lighting.
Arrived too early to gain entrance to The Sondheim then you have the perfect chance to visit The Duke of Wellington just around the corner. Great choice of...
The Welly is one of my favourite pubs in Soho, always lively and buzzing, great atmosphere. Recently I left my bag there by mistake, they kept it safe until I could collect it, thank you so much. A great team.
I visit the Welly quite regularly and always enjoy my time there. The bar staff are very friendly and always a lovely crowd.My partner and I got married this week and decided to join a few friends in the Welly afterwards. On hearing about our special day, we were surprised by a complimentary bottle of bubbly by the bar staff. It was a lovely touch. Our thanks to the Welly for really adding to the memories of our special day.
Came here on a busy Saturday. Despite the crowd, a friendly and helpful Cal served me quickly and with a smile. I had a great night at The Welly and will be back for many more !
Came here on a busy Friday night. Staff were helpful, good music and lively crowd. Was served by Isla who was very helpful and friendly. My favourite bear bar in London !
Great unpretentious gay bar with an authentic and welcoming atmosphere that has somehow avoided the feeling of copy+paste gay Soho. The staff play a huge role in this, always being friendly and interactive with the clientele. In particular, the pink haired Cal is always a delight and a great laugh when he's behind the bar!! All together highly recommend for a pint or a night out!!
Really amazing bar, the music is usually very nice, people are respectful and the bartenders are nice! I had the pleasure of being served by Cal, he's an amazing person and he's been very professional and cheerful while serving us our drinks! There is also a quieter first floor which allows people to enjoy a more traditional pub environment which is not usual in the pubs in Soho. Will definitely visit again!
What a gem!The Duke of Wellington is a great place to have a drink (or a few) in Soho.The atmosphere is very inclusive, it seems to be a place where everyone is welcome to be themselves. One of the bartenders did really stand out. Cal with the big biceps was incredibly kind and considerate, he certainly knows how to pull a great pint.I'll definitely be back!
This was my first gay bar I went to in London. It was so fun, with a lively crowd and good bartenders. I really enjoyed myself. I'll definitely go back.
Joined a senior friend of mine after pantomime for a drink. It was mid afternoon. Was refused service when we asked for another drink before heading home.. I questioned why. No answer. The only thing I can assume is that we started talking to a small group of straight, suited, guys and I think we were cause in the cross fire of Hetero phobia.
Visited in Sunday after eavesdropping at the previous venue that the Team and Drag were going there (is that stalking ha ha ). Proper pub feel. Great music and atmosphere. Loved the gin selection. The gin game is good in the city. Everyone appeared to be really friendly and the barman was a delight. Great way to end our hallowen weekend.
I met up with some old work colleagues here last week. We had a great time which was made better by a young lady called Isla behind the bar. Looking forward to coming back
My girlfriend and I went to Duke for a drink last weekend and we absolutely loved it. Nice music, lovely atmosphere, good prices and incredible staff. We were served by Tal who made us feel so welcome and laugh the whole evening. Can’t wait to go back again.
Came this weekend and loved the atmosphere and music. Staff were so friendly, especially Tal who served us most of the night. He had such good charm 🙂 I will be back
Lovely place, really enjoyed my time, staff were amazing Tal was particularly nice, so friendly polite and made the night out that much nicer. Will definitely be coming back! 😊
The Welly and its staff is consistently friendly and welcoming. We love the fact that it's on two floors and they have regular events like the quiz. That's why we return every month for our Saturday socials.
I popped in with my boyfriend for a few drinks. We hadn’t been into Soho for ages and had a fabulous evening! Isla was so friendly and made us feel super welcome. Definitely coming back soon! Thanks!
Love this pub. First time we have been into this place. Very quiet when we first went in but they had just opened. Got very busy towards 5pm. Will revisit this pub next time I'm in London but will go later on as I would love to see it at night. The barstaff were extremely friendly and the pub was very clean as were the toilets and the music was brilliant.
Been drinking here for probably 20 years! It's my usual port of call for a meet up in Soho, usually a quite bear-y crowd which is fine by me 😉Gets pretty crowded weekends and busy on quiz night on Wednesday too.
A great atmosphere and location. Drag bingo is a such a laugh and guaranteed fun. All the staff are friendly and special thanks to Daniel who was amazing and looked after us when we were there.
Very sweet venue with helpful staff: should anyone of you lose an item (cap, in my case) they DO email back when you email them of the whereabouts just because your attention that eve wasn’t on your own stuff but on the fit bloke you were drunkenly eyeing up/snogging.Big thanks 👍HalPS: Got my cap too, had left it at his hotel 😎
Fantastic pub, brilliant staff and always so welcoming. Left my bag in there after a night out and they were quick to find it and respond 🙂 can't wait to go back!
What a blast we had watching the Euro 2020 final here! Great drinks, good prices, friendly bar staff. Particular shout out to Ryan who looked after us all night. Brilliant pub!
Had a great night at the Welly with my friends considering it was social distancing, we were made to feel really welcome Table-service was great.And even though all the tables were full and we still got the drinks we ordered very quickly…The manager Oliver is such a good host and is always leading by example.Great manager and friendly staff!
Having been in London 4 nights. The service and hospitality for the staff in the welly is amazing. Especially Ryan and Blair made us feel welcome. Defo be back
The queen vic has nothing on this London pub, the moment you walk in you are greeted by a flat capped bearded man who is a delight and full of local knowledge, the music is great and just at the right level to be able to have a chat with your chums
A massive thank you to Oliver and his team for making our visit go from great to exceptional, If I could give 6 stars I would, a great choice of drinks, amazing service and a fabulously hard working team, this is a must if you’re in soho and want a pub that’s modern, well run yet retains a traditional feel, see you soon.
I was here last night and I have to say the bar staff were amazing. Really friendly service and nice atmosphere. We arrived late and one of them managed to find a bag for me to carry something home in. Really helpful - thank you guys!
Last time that we visited was a Wednesday afternoon around a month ago.Bar itself is nice enough as well as one of the staff working at the time. Long Island Iced Tea was pretty good too. Those are the reasons why the score isn’t lower.On the other hand, the other staff member really needs to drop the attitude or stop working in a face to face role.Just some examples:He was visibly very inconvenient that we didn’t have the app to scan and literally threw the registration board at us.Because we needed a couple of minutes to decide what to drink, we had to wait for approximately 15 minutes to order (there was only 2 other tables occupied but he was busy chatting with friends at the door)In summary, typical gay bar diva attitude.
Rude bartenders n costumers too, but body-guards was kind (that’s unusal in my expiereince).I went there 1 year ago, and I don’t liked cuz:1. The queue to bar was messy, I aksed to people where does it start, and they shout me:”Stand da line!”2. I aksed a cocktail, and the bartender mumbled me: “we do ‘em on a flor above”, and it happen the same thing on both flor above, lel! No cocktails😂 Here I found out I love ginger beer but everybody eye me as a heretic for my choice
First time back since they've reopened after lockdown. It's great to be back!!! The staff are super friendly and down to earth. They've really thought through the best way to use the space to allow for social distancing. You can order from an app, or at the bar downstairs. They'll being your drinks to the table as well. Came here on a Saturday afternoon and there were tables available, but if you want to make sure you have a table you should book in advance. It's good to get back out to such a fun pub in Soho.
The first time I went to the Duke of Wellington was in Aug 2017. Pretty cool bar where you can be whatever you want, and in whatever disposition. There are...
I'm so mad that the gay pubs in the US aren't as easygoing and inviting as the Duke of Wellington. I mean, first of all let's start with the name, how...
My favorite gay pub in London! I love coming here, especially after work when it's crowded and busy with the locals. Bar staff are always very friendly and...
Duke of Wellington reviews from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIs.Gay
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