After downing a Carrie Bradshaw-style cocktail at the chill subterranean Friendly Society (review: https://yelp.to/4zJuovAN4J), Jamie W. and I were way too intimidated to face the manly crowd in front of Compton's. We went in the opposite direction on Rupert Street and found this inviting courtyard bar. It's marketed as a gay bar but... The clientele was more mixed than gay. Hey, it wasn't a big deal to us. Especially as we sauntered to the bar bathed in pink and royal blue dayglow. Boys bellying up to the bar. Oh yeah, we home. The print was really small in their comprehensive cocktail menu, but that didn't stop us from ordering more libations. Stop judging us. Jamie went for the £12.50 Margarita, and I continued my Cosmopolitan streak with their £12 one (photo: https://yelp.to/RsyQWeRD5R). We went back into the courtyard to find a table. The leafy terrace and strings of white light were quite inviting, and we ended up hanging out in this sanctuary until they closed at 11PM. Cool. DRINKS - 4 stars...they did the trick AMBIANCE - 5 stars...the courtyard was loverly SERVICE - 4 stars...efficient bartender TOTAL - 4 stars...a nice way to end our first night in London RELATED - Exploring London? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx read more

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I had a drink here before going out with some friends. They played some great music and the bartenders were really friendly. It gets dull quickly especially right before they close so be prepared to watch for open seats or stand, which is not the worse so you can dance a bit to the great playlist. read more

It's a low-key bar for a casual meet up with friends. There's nothing dance about this place, but it's in a great location and in the summer the yard is a great place to enjoy some outdoor vibes. The bar tenders are always up for a chat and so it's a welcoming place. read more

Lovely place, I had good memories with love ones and friends !!! Totally recommend!!!!

This is by far my favorite LGBTQ+ spot in London, what a diversity of different spots all in one bar. There is tables in an alleyway, in an open patio like garden area, on a 2nd floor patio, indoor seating by the bar. It is a one stop spot for when you want to go somewhere with rowdy friends, chill friends, dancey friends, when part of the group wants to just smoke on a patio. Great after work spot too. Do not expect any fancy drinks, but was a great atmosphere. read more

As Soho gay bars go, the Yard is one of the better venues. You'll probably already be getting my drift that I'm not generally a great fan of gay bars in Soho: the combination of loud music, high prices and arrogant and inefficient bar staff doesn't do much for me, and yet they're packed to the point where there's nowhere to stand, let alone sit. Still, sometimes you find yourself meeting friends there, so here goes. On the plus side, the Yard has an excellent situation: it's located at the end a short passage off Rupert Street, so it's well placed for central Soho, but lets you feel that you are leaving all the grot in the street behind. The said passage leads to a surprisingly pleasant courtyard with a few tables, behind which is a smallish indoor seating area and bar. A plus is that the loos are handy on the ground floor and kept reasonably clean, and are brightly lit - no treks down darkly lit narrow passages(!) There's also a very nice loft-style room upstairs, although this often seems taken over for private functions (it accommodates up to 110). It serves the usual range of bottled beers and keg lagers (Grolsch, Stella) and a 33cl Budweiser Budvar will set you back £3.50 - not the most expensive, but I'd rather have a decent pint for less. They have a wide range of cocktails, from £6 to £9, with shots from £3.50. A friend ordered a Sauvignon Blanc and was sure he was served a Chardonnay: I wasn't so sure, but the fact we could debate it wasn't a good sign. Service was pleasant enough, but very slow on the second trip to the bar (how can 4 staff take nearly 10 minutes to serve 5 customers?) and they give your change back in a little dish, with the words 'Service not included' in bold block capitals on the receipt - as if tipping at the bar was a British tradition. Sorry guys, that's not a trend I want to see starting in London. They have a DJ, pumping out everything from disco to heavy club beats in the downstairs bar Thursday to Sunday - right next to the serving area. You can escape this in the courtyard, but it makes ordering a drink aurally challenging. There's also a dedicated smokers' balcony upstairs, but if this area is not open you have to venture into the street. The punters are a typically mixed Soho lot, tending towards the affluent and / or trendy end of things. So, not a place I'd personally rush to, but if you like this sort of thing generally, then it's better than most of the competition, and on a sunny day is quite pleasant.. read more

The Yard Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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I loved this spot in Soho. Super cute indoor/outdoor hidden garden like bar with lots of seating area and a bar in the back. Music and drink prices were ok but overall it's defiantly a good happy hour or chill night kind of spot for everyone. It is a gay bar but the crowed was mixed (which I loved). read more

Nestled in an intimate courtyard tucked away off Rupert St The Yard is a welcoming retreat for the hustle and bustle of busy London with a heated, beautiful garden courtyard bar and comfortable balconied loft bar, perfect for spending long summer or cozy winter nights with friends or loved ones. The Yard attracts a mature sexy, discerning, gay crowd, from suits & gym bunnies to pre-clubbers and streetwise tourists. Tables and VIP areas can be reserved, free, for special occasions and we also boast one of the most comprehensive cocktails menus in town! The bar staff are dishy too! read more

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I used to go here a lot years ago but it feel out of favour. I met friends here at the weekend and it's looking tired. Normal drinks are expensive but happy hour is quite reasonable. The Loft (the bit upstairs) opens in the evening and there is a wide selection of cocktails. Happy hour enables you to pick two classic cocktails (the same ones) for the price of one. Get there early to nab a sofa in the winter or a prime spot on the balcony. It's a nice spot as most of it is outside (it is basically a back yard). It's just a shame it's just looking so tired. read more

The Yard Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - London, XGL

I love the walkway through the courtyard gates through a white tunnel like walkway with twig like adornment covered in small blue lights, very Santa's grotto like at Xmas, Which opens out to a spacious courtyard with seating. There is a nice downstairs bar & a smaller, more basic, bar upstairs, with a balcony popular with smokers, the view of the courtyard from there is lovely, but look up & straight ahead & the view is quite different, the back of grubby looking flats that need a good painting, which is a shame. The prices are the Soho average, which is never cheap, but there is a happy hour when drinks are much more reasonable. I have always found the punters friendly & have always got chatting to new people whenever I have been there. read more

The Yard Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Yard Bar + Halloween = Topless Bar Staff dressed like the joker This definitely made the queue to be a served a whole lot easier!! The small bar area is cool, the courtyard even better. Prices were pretty good for the area, but the free-pouring of single shots was quite stingy. Friendly, fun and not pretentious! read more

Came here with a friend for a drink and dance, was very busy, nice atmosphere. We ended up sitting down at a table of four inside when a group left but then was continuously harassed, interrupted and made to feel uncomfortable by one of the barmen every time he walked past us telling us we can't sit there because other people wanted to sit down. Even the girls that were looking to sit down were confused as to why we got up to leave and were disgusted that he was bothering us. I don't know what his problem was. Felt slightly racist and homophobic so we left which was a shame as I was excited to try this cool place but won't be going back. The security man was friendly though when we entered! read more

This is a tale of two bars and two seasons. The Yard Bar is the only venue in Central London with its own courtyard, a fact which makes this venue the place to go during those bright sunny days. If you come in the height of a good English Summer, don't be surprised to see a small queue forming as people take advantage of its relaxed outdoor area. The place can literally be full to the brim. That's not to say this bar doesn't serve a purpose on rainy days or the winter months as its greatest weapon is its 1st floor Loft Bar which is beautiful. Friends have hired this space for birthdays and it is great, all brick walls, subdued lighting and comfy leather sofas. The upstairs bar also has an outside smoking area on a balcony overlooking the main courtyard for those that want nicotine with their cruising. The Yard can be very quiet during the week, which caters mainly for the older, after work crowd, whereas the weekend is full of pre-clubbers getting off on the many DJ's the bar employs. The Yard is one of the few bars that attracts both gay men and lesbians and the staff reflect this. It is also a great place to take straight friends as the clientele are not as predatory or cruisey as other venues. Prices are a bit steep, especially on spirits, and the staff themselves can be a bit slow. When downstairs is busy you forget or overlook that actually it's quite ugly, whilst upstairs is a hidden gem of a bar. In summer it's heaving and in winter it can be quiet. But at all times it's one to venture into and check out as when on form this is an excellent bar. read more

While in London for work and strolling through Soho with a friend, we stumbled upon the Yard Bar. The bright purple, neon sign threw us off a little bit, but the garden courtyard was calling our name. We easily found a table outside in a cozy corner and both noticed the eclectic groups of people gathered there for some pints. We immediately knew we were in the right place to enjoy the afternoon. The waiter was friendly, the people watching unmatched, and even the bar food we ordered was decent, but nothing to rave about (had to put something in our stomachs to stave off a 2pm bender!). Although the inside bar area was smaller, a couple groups were situated at the couches and tables. While we didn't venture upstairs to the Loft Bar, I can see how on a nice, summer evening this place gets packed. Close enough to the theatre district that we walked to our show before the box office opened in under 5 minutes. Strictly for service and drinks, an easy 4-star bar! read more

A bar with its own unique ambiance. A central outdoor courtyard giving it a fresh air feel, apart from smokers also allowed to smoke freely here (not so sure it meets UK/EU laws!). The staff friendly, even the door security had a sense of humour! Its certainly worth including this place on your tour of the local gay bars. All people are welcome here, gay and straight alike. read more

The Yard Bar - Great ambiance! - Gay Bars Near Me - London, XGL

An upbeat, lively trendy bar located on Rupert Street taken over Soho (and myself) by storm with decently priced drinks and a fun atmosphere. 'The Yard' has got to be one of my favourite bars in Soho. Overly the last year or so, I have witnessed the customer intake of the bar absolutely sky rocket throughout this year and I can see why. Once outside the bar, I can imagine anyone would want to venture in, the purple neon sign, black gates and trees visible outside (due to an alfresco styled garden) sure does make you want to go in. Once in, you have the choice of hanging out at the downstairs bar in the alfresco styled garden (suitable for smokers) or head upstairs to 'The Loft Bar' where there are a few comfy seats, another bar and another smoking area. The Yard is a bubbly, fun and fast busy bar slowly becoming, if already it not the go-to bar in Soho. I always have a great time here and will keep on going back. read more

Literally a breath of fresh air, a trendy inside bar opens to a large leafy open court yard with plenty of tables, great dance music but not too loud and barely audible outside and reasonably priced drinks. Mixed straight and gay crowd and very diverse in age and gender. A relaxed un-pressured space in the heart of Soho read more

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A bar with a courtyard? I'm intrigued. Yes, the open-air could pose a problem under inclement weather, but it was nice to have a few drinks in a non-claustrophobic space. The barstaff on the groundfloor were shirtless, for no apparent reason... I mean, if it was summer...ehhh ok.... but really, British people don't have the best tans when the sun starts to set at 4pm, so just put the tops back on till memorial day. I'm sure in the summer especially, this place has a good following. They decorated the bar all very holiday-y so it was kind of a festive retreat. I rarely venture past wardour as things turn a bit seedy, but I'll stand corrected that there's actually something worth stopping into past the peep show theater section of soho. read more

One of the best outside seating places in SoHo; always enjoy my time! Can be full of suburbian twinks on the weekend (which I find pretty annoying, kids in the big city totally turnt). Recently tried their kitchen for a snack, pricey but let me tell you: they know how to handle and prepare their sausages! (We all knew I'd go there) Drinks are ok, bartenders try to keep you not waiting that long. Upstairs bar and patio (smoking) are usually not toooo packed, but the floors are sticky later at night (no, I am not going THERE!) read more

Always a good place to start a night out with, but not to stay for too long. In my opinion the best feature of the place is the entrance way, underneath the arches and through the trees gives it a mysterious and exciting feel. The inside is less fun, standard bar with topless men to excite. Tacky but it works. The outside is better though, as long as it's not raining there's a nice courtyard feel to the place. Only 3 stars for this because it's a good starter and overpriced and was bsy (Friday night though, what cna you expect) read more

I am not sure why The Yard bar doesn't have a 5 star rating on yelp. It is the perfect place to go, for one of the best Mojito's in London, for a warm up to a night out or for a quiet drink mid afternoon after a hard day's shopping. Yes it gets busy, but that is because it doesn't need the 5 star rating it deserves to pull in punters. It is a community hub in Soho and let's face it if you are out in Soho you don't mind a little topless man in your life. read more

Yard Bar is becoming a bit of a go-to bar for me when I'm in Soho. It is quirky, conveniently located for meeting friends and has a chilled atmosphere. The entrance to the Yard is definitely impressive. You are drawn in from the street by the bright colours to make your way along a leafy passageway decked out with disco balls, fairy lights and stone lions - part gay bar, part garden centre. Inside there's a cosy courtyard area with seating to lounge on and all-important heaters. There's a small ground floor bar area with a few tables but there's much more room upstairs, with another bar area and a mezzanine above the courtyard. I've visited several times now, usually to meet friends for a drink or two when out and about in Soho. The Yard is perfectly situated for nearby theatres. The bar offers good choice, with a selection of wines and beers on tap, as well as cocktails. read more

I'm surprised to see so few reviews for such a great bar. Easily on of the more accessible gay bars in London, The Yard was a real delight. The courtyard in the center was such a great feature, and provided some pretty great people watching. Beers are affordable, and the bartenders were lovely. Look forward to returning! read more

I went here a few weeks ago and I can certainly say that the outdoor heating keeps you nice and warm. The courtyard is beautiful and so unexpected when you consider its immediate surroundings, which only adds to its majesty. I was here on a weekend, arriving at around midnight, and whilst the place was busy it wasn't so packed that you have trouble walking around, which is an issue with so many places in Soho. The general clientele here are generally more bohemian than they are in the other places in Soho. Which makes the place much more casual and easy going. Talking to strangers here is not an issue as most people seemed to be friendly. Drink prices are the same as they are in the rest of Soho with a cocktail generally costing you £10. I only have a few but the ones I had were nice. I found the half-naked men serving shots a bit out of place to be honest. Like I said the yard is a casual and easy going place and the ambience was not really right for half naked men. You expect it is a properly nightclub or sexually alluring bars, neither of which the Yard is. The Yard is a great pre drinks place if you're planning to dance (or drink) the night away in Soho. Plus if you want to catch a bus to Vauxhall (gayest part of London/great gay nightclubs) it will only takes you 10-15 minutes to get there. read more

The Yard is a good little bar. So called, I guess, because you get to it through a cobbled yard (you may want to check wiki for a more accurate historical statement).. There is a large outdoor yard with limited seating - perfect for the summer time. Inside the bar is much smaller than you'd expect, but comfortable. The upstairs section seems not to belong to the rest of the bar for reasons I can't figure out, but hey-ho.. The staff are pretty friendly and the service good. A great place to go to for afternoon drinks. Pre-club drinks are good too, but it does get a quite packed of an evening (probably because it's a nice bar!). Worth a go, anyway. read more

The Yard isn't my favourite bar but I like that it's not as intrusive or as highly 'sexualised' as some of the other gay bars in Soho. The crowd here is generally laid back, relaxed and not in your face, which I appreciate. The bar staff are friendly are it's usually not a long wait to get served. Not much space to sit here, so you'll usually be standing all night long, unless you manage to secure one of the few seats downstairs or one of the sofas upstairs in The Loft bar. Although they have a DJ (I think at the weekends) playing music, this bar is more about catching up with friends and having a chat. During the summer the outdoor-indoor space gets pretty packed! read more

Great place for a drink. Friendly courtyard with seating area and patio heaters. Good choice of drinks. Friendly Bar team. Close to China Town. Seating inside and upstairs Great to meet friends for an after work drink. read more

The Yard Bar - The entrance to the inviting yard - Gay Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Beware of thieves in this bar and other nearby bars in Soho. I visited the bar in April 2018 and met a couple of guys. We sat at a table in front of the bar and I ordered a round of drinks at the bar which I paid with my bank card. Later on that evening after leaving the bar with the two guys I noticed that my bank card was missing and I later found out £1,000 had been taken out of my account in a period of several minutes that evening. How the money was removed from my account without my password is quite a mystery to say the least and quite worrying. But I suggest to beware of people who approach you in Soho and beware using your bank card in any bar in Soho. read more

It really depends on what night you go to this bar. When it gets crowded, it is too loud & the smoking area (balcony) feels dangerously full. Drinks are not expensive. Good for a pre-drink before you hit the town but not to spend the whole night. read more

One of my favourite gay bars in Soho, I love its unique location and a great atmosphere is guaranteed every time. Standing room only on a Saturday evening, but thats ok. A great mixture of inside and outside space, additional bar upstairs with more outside space. read more

Nice vibe in this bar in the middle of Soho. A nice yard with a few tables, 2 floors ... busy in the evenings. The crowd is really nice. Easy to chat and have a drink. The staff is usually nice ... a really nice place for drinks. read more

I do love this place. Gets pretty over crowded but from staff to the customers drinking they are all up for a good laugh and chat. I love drinking in the courtyard which is upon entrance or up on the balcony. Drinks are reasonable priced, has ample space and an alternative to a normal pub. Toilets need a revamp and need more of them as on a Saturday night there's more of a queue trying to get to the toilets than the bar ;) read more

I used to like this bar, it was a good concept, having this large yard to drink in, but, I always seem to feel uneasy there now. It can attract a very strange clientèle. I can't explain it, it just feels a bit dodgy. read more

Great busy gay bar. The bar staff are hired for their muscles rather than their skill at tending bar but if you're prepared to wait a while to get served at least you have something to look at. read more

Rude rude service . Great looking bar. Nice vibe . Great doormen . Bar man tonight had no need for us. I 'm sure that the owners like to have their drinks sold. read more

Another great joint in London. Went here a few times on my trip to London. Great crowd, friendly service. I love the outdoor seating. Sigh* I miss this place! read more

Great bar to visit on a Friday night. Had a good crowd with a mix of gay guys and women. Unique atmosphere, themed like an English garden. Highly recommended if you are visiting London. read more

One of Soho's better gay bars, The Yard serves a mixed clientele in a comfortable setting over two floors. The name the Yard obviously comes from the courtyard through which you enter, where several tables are available. There are comfortable sofas inside on the ground floor, and on the first floor there's a second bar called the Loft, which is similarly designed with a small balcony. Due to the slightly room-like feel of the outdoor courtyard, it's popular with smokers, so if you're not a fan of that you might be a little disappointed, but inside is fine (although a little small). read more