Chairs & The London Pub, Oslo

Certainly unimpressive on the exterior, and rather confusing about its names, this is nonetheless one of the best gay places in Central Oslo. I've always had a good time when I come here; often I end up staying until the bar closes at 3 a.m. Downstairs is a warren of dimly lit but comfortable rooms for meeting or crusing; upstairs is a rather cheesy "eurotrash" dancefloor which I love. The "disco" attracts a mixed crowd: predominantly male, but with some women; predominantly gay, but with some straights; predominantly single, but with some couples. (It's refreshing to go to a gay club where you don't have to be (or pretend to be) 25 in order to fit in.) I have been impressed by the DJ's; they always spun a good mix of new and old, and were much appreciated by the crowd. The dancefloor is small, the lighting is nothing special, the atmosphere basically mediocre. . . but it was great fun, pure in a very 1988 sort of way. People will actually smile at you here, guys are willing to look as they are enjoying themselves.

(A visit in February 2006 confirmed that in spite of new competition from trendier places nearby, the London Pub is still going strong.)

Dress Code: anything goes. . . come as you are. . . I saw suits and ties, I saw club wear, I saw jeans and tees, I saw the flouncy embroidered shirts that were all the rage in Oslo this summer. . .