Heaven was created on the 6th day. December 6 1979 to be precise. At that time many queer venues still served as walk-in closets in which gay men quietly cavorted behind closed doors.
In contrast, Heaven was out there and unashamedly gay - with knobs on. For the first time there seemed to be a club in which gay men could actually feel the liberation they had spent so long fighting for.
Packed to the rafters with poofters, Heaven's reputation soon soared to interstellar heights. Not only was it the place to be, but the place to be seen. The early 80s saw personal appearances by Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Divine, Sylvester, Pet Shop Boys and Madonna.
Then in 1987 something stirred. A young upstart called Paul Oakenfold started playing some newfangled dance tunes he'd picked up in Ibiza. The disco bunnies became drug pigs and Heaven became the acid house that couldn't be blown down.
Twenty-one years on, Heaven's still going strong and remains the most famous gay club in Europe. The key to the club's success is that it has always managed to ride the times and change its tunes. Today, depending on what night you go, and in which space you're off your face, you can hear everything from handbag, house, techno, indie, funk, soul and disco. Website
London's original all-night bender for benders started ten years ago. Since then the brainchild of promoter Laurence Malice has gone from being an underground club to an international brand. Today, with eight albums released, and more merchandise on the way, Trade is as much about shifting units as it is about shifting feet.
Hundreds of thousands of people have thronged to Trade over the years; and ten years on it remains renowned as the UK's top after-hours hangout. As well as the London weekly at Turnmills (63 Clerkenwell Rd, EC1), Trade has residencies across the UK with its DJs travelling monthly to Manchester, Dublin and Glasgow.
With world domination clearly the aim, the Trade brand-wagon has been exported all over the planet. Over the past ten years Trade DJs have played New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Moscow and Japan.
What use to be a Mecca for Muscle Mary's has become more of a mixed playground and today the club attracts all types out for early-morning mischief. Trade boasts the largest gay paying club membership in the UK, currently close to 4000. Website
FIST was London's best fetish night for gays and dykes that like it pumped raw. Their techno
that is. This once-a-monther attracted hard core clubbers from all over Europe. However the
night is no more, after a single complaint to the local police about the goings-on in FIST's
playroom. Promoter Suzi Kreuger refused to compromise and said FIST! without a playroom wasn't
what made the night what it was. Watch this space for more news on what she's planning next.
Website 
Run by Jeremy Joseph, G.A.Y is hyped as Europe's biggest gay club night. G.A.Y began in 1992. Since then, any pop act worth its schmaltz has appeared at the Astoria (157 Charing Cross Rd, WC2) including Boyzone, Bucks Fizz, Steps and, of course, Kylie. DJs Marc Andrews and Ian T pump out pap to a gay crowd not old enough (or too old enough) to know better. Fun though.Website
Born out of frustration at the assimilation of the scene, Popstarz broke the Billy Doll mould. Launched in 1995, Popstarz became the first club night to offer a gay alternative. At Popstarz, gay boys and girls were encouraged to let rip, have fun and, most importantly, lose their cool. Which, let's face it, isn't difficult to do when you're prancing around to Tight Fit. Along with 80s crap, there's 70s trash, indie rock and chemical beat.
The promoters regard Popstarz as "a musical, social and political machine". Which is all well and good, but you still get shafted at the bar. Expect to pay three times over for a can of beer.
An unpretentious space that attracts anyone up for anything, however naff. Leave your shame at the door. Popstarz has recently settled at The Scala (278 Pentonville Rd, N1).Website 
When DTPM began in 1993 it was the first dance event to popularise Sunday afternoon clubbing. Hailed as a revolutionary concept, DTPM proved to be a welcome alternative to the Antiques Roadshow.
In 1996, DTPM shifted to The End, grew a room (thereby doubling the sound quote), kicked off later and generally built up a solid reputation as being the smart place to be. Y2K saw DTPM move home again @Fabric (77a Charterhouse St, EC1). With three floors, a sunken chill-out bar and a roof terrace, the new venue has received ooohs and aaahs all round. As have some of its punters. Although it's not polite to gawp, Boy George, Danny Rampling and Robbie Williams have all been seen there recently. Musically DTPM continues to keep house; giving it deep, hard and sweet. Website
Currently XXL promote some of the hottest nights in the capital. David and Mark who
run the nights say "Whether you're big, proud, hairy, hunky, a bear, a daddy or a lean
admiring young buck, leather stud, muscle cub or just some one who
wants a night out with people who love life and know how to have fun. We aim to cater
for men of all ages, tastes and sizes, with rooms for those who want to dance and
others for men who think conversation is more important than music. Check out their
website for venues and special nights.
Reviews by Christopher Kelly. We welcome your comments and club reviews. Email clubbing@outuk.com
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