White Swan

Name: White Swan
Address: White Swan, Commercial Road, London, UK, London
Telephone: 020 7780 9870
Rating: 2.8

East Londons leading gay dance bar

Average Reviews

About

The White Swan on Commercial Road has long been a beloved staple of London's gay nightlife. Renowned for its unique character and lively atmosphere, it's more than just a bar – it's a cultural icon with over 30 years of history in the LGBTQ+ community.

The White Swan, affectionately known as BJ's White Swan, is famed for its eclectic and entertaining offerings. From camp DJ club nights and drag shows to piano singalongs and bingo, the venue ensures a diverse range of activities for its patrons. Its celebrated basement club, known for its late license, hosts a variety of promoter-presented parties, adding to the bar's reputation for fun and inclusivity. Special nights like the "Way Out Club" cater to a broad spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing a safe and welcoming space for all.

But it's not just about the entertainment. The White Swan's history is woven into the fabric of London's LGBTQ+ scene. Icons like Michael Barrymore and Sir Ian McKellen have graced its space, adding to its allure. The venue's décor, though not overly quaint, contrasts its industrial, warehouse-style aesthetic with lively elements, such as soft-porn videos that add a cheeky charm to the atmosphere.

The bar's clientele is as varied as its entertainment, with a mix of local East Enders and visitors from Essex and beyond, creating a vibrant and energetic crowd. The White Swan's amateur strip contests and drag performances are particularly noteworthy, drawing both young and bold participants and enthusiastic audiences.

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Reviews

2.8

Based on 94 reviews

Archer F

18:13 04 Jan 25

Really disappointing night on NYE. It was mostly empty, which was fine, but somehow before midnight a toilet was blocked and overflowing, the others had broken seats, piss everywhere, urinals full of vomit. No cleaning done at all, all night. Just really grim. I've also never been hounded by security like that before. We're stood in the line to scan ID and a whiff weed blows by and immediately security was screaming at us telling us to cut it out and search every pocket. Really heavy handed when we are literally stood in front of them and they could see we were not smoking

Cillian Purvis

18:18 09 Nov 24

Bouncers were super racist to my friends. Wouldn’t recommend if you’re not from London. Actually wouldn’t recommend in general. They were also homophobic to my friends. Not very gay friendly for a gay bar:)

Aoife Murphy

18:14 09 Nov 24

Racist security guards!!! I can’t believe how me and my friend were treated last night by the two security guards I’m absolutely devastated and upset by this. I will never ever come back as long as those two RACISTS still work there. Absolutely appalling that such a nice pub employ such horrible people.

nicole zdziech

18:03 09 Nov 24

Security is awful! Heard them screaming at three girls telling them to go back to their country that it’s “always the polish” and just horrible stuff I’m a security officer myself for years and I would never treat my customers like that that’s a disgrace they should be ashamed

tia r

17:57 09 Nov 24

the bouncers are absolutely horrible, racist and rude, swearing and shouting at us. the vibe in there is awful, it’s so empty and the music is terrible. no one inside on a friday night at gone midnight. £10 entry is an absolute joke🥴

Lolly Claire

07:40 30 Sep 24

Interesting place, definitely made better by the volume of mutual Meute fans attending the Troxy. Cheesy music in the club downstairs, good vibes and nice art deco features.

Dominic Tannert

00:44 01 Sep 24

This place was a huge disappointment. We paid £10 for entry, but didn't get the free drink they promised, while others who entered after us did. The music, typically loud for a disco, was unbearably so given the small crowd—less than 10 people on the dance floor. With only one out of three bars open on a Saturday night, the vibe was dead. The whole experience felt like a scam. Definitely not recommended.

Ana Catarina Martins

15:43 06 Aug 24

Every visit to The White Swan Bar has been an amazing experience. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming and the staff goes above and beyond to ensure everyone has a great time.

Tiago Fauna

15:39 06 Aug 24

I've had some of my best nights out at The White Swan Bar. The vibe is always lively and inclusive and the crowd is diverse and friendly. The bartenders are attentive and the entertainment is top notch.

Nathan Ronnie

11:14 31 Jul 24

I was blown away by the selection of drinks at The White Swan Bar. Their craft cocktails are top notch and they have a great variety of beers on tap.

Randy Martinez

11:02 31 Jul 24

Just want to say thank you white Swan lovely friendly staff always great music and Djs keep up the good work x x

Eugene Russell

10:54 31 Jul 24

If you've never been yet then I recommend you give it a try It's all been refurbished with a basement night club due to be open in summer so an exciting time!

Eudis Anjos

17:27 27 Jun 24

I moved to Limehouse 7 months ago. I came here three times and in all of them I paid 10 pounds for an empty place. Maximum of 5 people. So please take this into considerations if you come.

Marcin Pajor

18:18 03 May 24

It says they are open from 5 pm on Fridays, but when I got there at 7 pm, it was closed.

James Clark

10:11 13 Apr 24

what ever happened to the white swan! I used to go here about 25 years ago and it was rammed. Why has our community abandoned this place!? Could it be the £10 entrance fee, the excessive security, the retro decor? I went on Friday night with two friends and we were the only people there 😳

Laura Ella

23:49 06 Jan 24

Website and google state that it’s open when it’s not. Wasted £25 in taxis. Tried to call the number numerous times but no answer. States open til 3.30am but not open when we arrived at 11.30pm.

Ibrar Khan

23:16 04 Jan 24

I want to make a LGBT membership card please.ca you tell me please

Amy H

03:06 19 Nov 23

The bouncer looks like the Rock named shazz helped me and my friends when she got a but drunk and management good too. Love shazz

Grant Whelan

17:23 13 Nov 23

I my self am straight but I went with a few mates and 2 of which are lgbt+ so have no problem in going it was a night out for he’s birthday after all you pay 10£ to get in and the place is empty until a couple of hours before closing and when you get it the stuff try to get you to buy drink after drink being pushy I assume coz it’s empty and they try to make as much money of each person as possible they had a go at us when we wasn’t drinking and buying fast enough and this made us uncomfortable and in the end we called our losses and left but defo don’t recommend

Christopher Styles

01:30 13 Oct 23

Amazing bar / club space. Very friendly staff, and top atmosphere 👌

Eudis Anjos

00:16 08 Jul 23

I moved to Limehouse 7 months ago. I came here three times and in all of them I paid 10 pounds for an empty place. Maximum of 5 people. So please take this into considerations if you come.I give up! It is always empty and that is not what I like when Ingo out for drinks. It is sad since my old friends told me this was a very busy and good music bar.Note: why the door men are so rude?what is the point? Put people away?

Paul Durie

19:14 30 Apr 23

Smaller space up top with larger club space downstairs. Staff are friendly and drinks aren't overly expensive

Alexandra Hughes

07:40 22 Apr 23

Amazing night - staff super friendly, drinks were great and music was 10/10.

Tyler Kit Lee House

11:10 25 Sep 22

£10 entry, wasn't a problem it's what I'd pay to get into most clubs, gents were clean, however the bar was dead, heard so many stories of this being the place to go to end your evening, however the venue must have only had about 20 people inside, maximum, which is confusing as on the door I was told it was an event night. Didn't stay long, not the best clubbing experience.

Zionna D.

14:35 13 Sep 22

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Thomas J R

15:33 31 Jul 22

Venue is still fun and convenient for the east London gay crowd but the security are miserable and often looking to pick fights with punters in the way you expect from straight venues. Prices are insanely high but that might just be the general inflation BS.

Janet Luzy

19:34 28 Jul 22

This is a place that warms my heart, I have been coming here for many many years and met my amazing partner Suzanna here. It has been renovated about 8 years ago and I like it, air conditioning makes a massive difference from when I first came over 20 years ago. Just want to say thank you White Swan, lovely friendly staff, always great music and Djs. Keep up the good work x x

Thom P

10:50 16 Jul 22

Usually £10-15 entry and then £10.35 for a single JD & Coke. So hit or miss depending on the promoter/ event night. Would be better to run entertainment/ nights themselves rather than using promoters to ensure consistency and price. Security never seem friendly or welcoming, however the bar staff do serve quickly which is good. Can often be empty so they only use one space within the bigger club.

wayne horridge

14:34 28 Apr 22

Went on Saturday evening to be charged £15 to enter and £6 for a pint of Fosters. Sadly I won’t be returning. This was the first ever LGBT venue I started using as I was coming out.

David Gerome

12:34 07 Nov 21

Had a great time .will be back

Alex Who

00:58 30 Oct 21

10£ entrance6£ for a ciderCame for the basement, closedMore than half straightDecor hasn’t been change for 20 yearsReally not what I was expectedCan be approve

Sheerie Griffiths

12:30 29 Oct 21

fantastic night out would definitely go again

Juan Lucci

23:35 01 Oct 21

Bad music, always empty and very expensive drinks (and bad quality)

Pam GHERBI

13:09 25 Jul 21

Fantastic bar. Friendly and so much fun x

Robert Mann

16:19 10 Dec 19

I been coming here over 30 years a go they always make me feel welcome great venue nice Decor great Entertainment friendly bar staff great Atmosphere

John Glynn

11:33 05 Apr 19

i do miss the older layout but it is what it is havent been in a long time but never had a problem there managed properly nice friendly staff great atmosphere 👍

Robert M.

09:47 02 Dec 18

I been coming to this venue over 30 years They always made me feel welcome great Entertainment Friendly staff Good DJS a great party Atmosphere we'll Recommend

Voytek Burak

16:46 12 Jun 18

THIS PLACE IS THE BEST! I GO VERY OFTEN AND HAVE MET SOME REALLY GOOD FUN MEN/LOVERS HERE.

Cleveland Glenn, Jr.

22:36 20 Feb 17

I've been here a couple of times for Cybil's House and always have a great time.The atmosphere is really friendly, from the doorstaff at the entrance to the queer party goers on the dancefloor and all the performances inbetween.It's a cozy venue with three rooms across two floors with comfy seating on the sides so I can easily go from dancing like beyoncé to singing-a-long to a pop classic to chatting about drag inspirations on a sofa and then starting all over again.

Mike Carr

17:41 12 Feb 17

Plus points: very clean, well finished, sound system really good.Negatives: We came on a Friday and even at 22:30 it was dead. Music was spooled playing the same tracks 9 times in one hour - this is just plain lazy (I'm not joking).Left not sure what the place is really meant to be. Is it Gay or is it Straight? It really needs to reinforce it's identity.I prefer to go to Soho or Vauxhall for a gay night out as you know what you're getting there.

Jeremy E.

09:14 24 Sep 16

Opens at 8pm on Saturday, not 5pm.I suppose I'm reviewing the Yelp review/info not the actual establishment but...

David Cheesman

16:54 19 Jan 15

I have been frequenting The White Swan for many years now and I have to say it has a special place in my heart. They always have something to offer for everyone. Music is always great and the acts are top notch. If you've never been yet then I recommend you give it a try, It's all been refurbished with a basement night-club due to be open in summer, so an exciting time!

Adrian S.

03:41 30 May 10

I am always disappointed with this place. I hate the fact that you can go on a Sunday night and there is no more than 20 people in there and they want to...

White Swan reviews from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIs.Gay