Fitzroy Tavern

The Fitzroy Tavern was a West End pub frequented by homosexuals in the 1930s. It avoided prosecution for over a decade because, according to John Heath-Stubbs, it was "common knowledge that Charlie Allchild (the landlord) had bribed the police".

Other clubs and pubs popular with homosexuals at the time were the York Minster, the Swiss (now Comptons) and the Marquis of Granby in Soho. Peter Wildeblood called them "less [than] discreet", rough and cruisy. Throughout the 1930s respectable men in evening dress and camp queans solicited sailors and workmen in the Running Horse. Other venues included the Billie's Club, the Hungry Horse, Gerano's in New Compton Street, Chez Victor in Wardour Street. The downstairs bar at the Ritz Hotel was frequented by men from high society, nicknamed l’Abri (the shelter), and the Trocadero Long Bar, owned by Lyon's Corner House.

References

Matt Houlbrook, Queer London