Royal Vauxhall Tavern

One of London's oldest gay cabaret venues, still going strong.

Location: 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5HY

Description: This is the longest running gay venue in London and was voted Best London Cabaret Venue by the London Cabaret Awards in 2012. It's one of the best known drag, cabaret and burlesque venues south of the Thames.

It is also the venue that gave birth to Paul O'Grady's legendary Lily Savage, who had 4 nights a week here for 8 years. Hinge and Bracket and Diana Dors have also appeared here.

The RVT was built in 1863 as a music hall on the corner of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, and led the drag scene from the 1950's onwards.

Legend has it that Princess Diana once partied here, having been dressed up as a man by Queen singer Freddie Mercury and smuggled in anonymously.

Themes: LGBT LGBT Theme