TotallyOz

London Gay Bars Green Carnation | 5 Greek Street | 0208 616 8087 | http://www.greencarnationlondon.com/ The Green Carnation tries earnestly to stick to its Oscar Wilde theme, and earlier in the evening they succeed but in the end, it's a gay bar (with some hetero friends) with a dance floor downstairs and a DJ-driven vibe. But the crowd is hip as fuck, and resfreshingly open and friendly.

London Gay Bars Ku Bar | 30 Lisle St | 020 7437 4303 | http://www.ku-bar.co.uk/ This lounge bar can sometimes verge on a club atmosphere (there's a club in the basement), so if you're looking for a drink and a chat, you might want to hit a pub instead. It skews young and pretty, with some mocha goodness for a bit of a change in the scenery.

London Gay Bars G-A-Y Bar | 30 Old Compton St | 020 7494 2756 | http://www.g-a-y.co.uk/ Part of the G-A-Y empire, this is the bar to its sister clubs. And speaking of sisters, the basement is where the lezzies are, so stay upstairs on any one of the three floors of fun to stick with the boys. And speaking of boys, it skews young, so get ready for some adorable eye candy.

London Gay Bars Friendly Society | 79 Wardour Street | 020 7434 3805 | http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/friendly-society-london This bar is as campy, fun and scene-y as you'd expect given its location in the basement of a sex shop. It doesn't take itself seriously, and neither do the patrons, and neither should you! But note that this is not for those who get panicky in tight spaces the entry makes you feel like you may never come back out again.

London Gay Bars The 2 Brewers | 114 Clapham High Street | 020-78199539 | http://www.the2brewers.com/ Ok, now we move very much out of pub life and into a campy drag bar that packs in the gays as they cheer on their favorite acts and get silly as hell. Mondays have amazing drinks specials, and there's a club downstairs, which means that when the bar closes ridiculously early as London bars do, you can head downstairs and keep the party going.

London Gay Bars The King's Arms | 23 Poland St | 020 7734 5907 | http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/kings-arms-london-2 The King's Arms is a bear bar, or should we say pub because in London, more likely than not even the gay scene revolves around the pub culture. But the bears here are hot, friendly, and love to throw back pints and get good and sloppy. A fun night for bears and cubs alike.

London Gay Bars Comptons of Soho | 53 Old Compton Street | 020 3 2380163 | http://www.faucetinn.com/comptons/ While it is decorated in the traditional pub style if a bit over the top with its Britishness make no mistake; this is a super cruise-y pub that is filled with those who disdain the queeny/bitchy scene. In other words, grab a pint and talk to MEN.

London Gay Hotels Best Western Victoria Palace | 60-64 Warwick Way | 0207 8217113 | http://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/victoria-palace-london-83873/hotel-info/default.aspx As we often say on this site, you can never go wrong with a Best Western which, despite this property's grand name, is refreshingly basic in that BW way. It's also relatively small, with 86 rooms, so you can get a bit more personalized service, and there's free wifi.

London Gay Hotels The Trafalgar | 2 Spring Gardens | 020 7870 2900 | http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/the-trafalgar-london-LONTSHI/index.html This is a Hilton property in walking distance of Soho and all of its fabulousness. The rooms are upscale anonymous in the style of international chains, but you can't beat the location. And rates include taxes, so you won't get a surprise when you get the bill.

London Gay Hotels The Halkin | Halkin St, Belgravia | 020 7333 1000 | http://www.comohotels.com/thehalkin You'd never expect its slick, vaguely Asian-inspired interior from its Georgian exterior, but the bright, creamy rooms with black accents in their 41 rooms are comfortable and the perfect place to decompress after a day and night in the big bad city.

London Gay Hotels Haymarket Hotel | 1 Suffolk Place | 020 7470 4000 | http://www.firmdalehotels.com/london/haymarket-hotel The rooms look like they are straight out of an issue of Elle Decor, the gym is practically futuristic, and the indoor pool could be mistaken for a high-end nightclub (it includes a full bar!). It's in a great location, and their on-site restaurant is a delight. Sorted, as the English say!

London Gay Hotels London Marriott Hotel County Hall | London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd | 020 7928 5200 | http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonch-london-marriott-hotel-county-hall/ This Marriott property in the converted County Hall closed by Thatcher is smack in the middle of London sightseeing spots, so if you're visiting for the first time and want to see the city outside the saunas, then this is a great pick. It has all the services and amenities you'd expect from a Marriott.

London Gay Hotels The Z Hotel Soho | 17 Moor Street | 020 3551 3700 | http://www.thezhotels.com/soho Small rooms, with a few modern touches here and there, but clean and comfortable enough to get you through the trip. Note that the bathrooms, while one per room, are pretty open and like we said, the rooms are small. But they might have the most comfortable beds in London, every one of them handmade.

London Gay Hotels Charing Cross Hotel | The Strand (postal code WC2N 5HX) | 020 7839 7282 | http://www.guoman.com/hotels/united_kingdom/london/charing_cross/index.html Victorian history, modern amentities (like Egyptian linens and Bose docking stations) and services (24/7 room service and free wifi). The Executive Twin is the best deal here, as it gives you a larger room without the price tag of a suite.

London Gay Hotels The Marylebone Hotel | 47 Welbeck Street | 020 7486 6600 | http://www.doylecollection.com/locations/london_city_hotels/the_marylebone_hotel.aspx A thoroughly modern hotel with sophisticated retro touches, the Marylebone is the perfect reflection of the sleek makeover that all of London seems to have had. They have a massive number of restaurants, bars and snack-type places on the property, so if you need a bite and don't want to venture out, you're set.

London Gay Hotels The Chesterfield Mayfair | 35 Charles Street | 020 7491 2622 | http://www.chesterfieldmayfair.com/ The rooms are small, but the ones with kingsize beds allow for plenty of movement between the sheets. Britishly discreet and in the gorgeous Mayfair neighborhood, their offers include a 6pm checkout perfect for the extra-long layover, if you catch our drift.

London Gay Hotels The Milestone Hotel | 1-2 Kensington Court | 020 7917 1000 | http://www.milestonehotel.com/ The Milestone, a five-star boutique hotel that plays up its 19th-century bones, is the place to splurge on when you want a luxurious version of a bedsit. Their rooms have sitting areas, their suites are exquisite, and they even have apartments for extended stays.

São Paulo Gay Activities Track & Field | Rua Oscar Freire, 959 | (11) 3062-4457 | http://www.tf.com.br Did a visit to the Havainas store whet your appetite for laid-back Brazilian beach fashion? Are your clothes suddenly feeling heavy and worn when confronted with all those hot bodies? Then pick up some beach shorts and other casual wear here, and blend right in with the locals.

São Paulo Gay Activities Mercado Municipal de São Paulo | Rua da Cantareira, 306 | no number | http://www.mercadomunicipal.com.br/index.php?page=english This food market is a must-visit not only for the foods, but for the astounding 1920s architecture. Browse the almost 300 vendors selling everything from spices to sweets, and pick up some snacks for later or make a full meal to eat on the go.

São Paulo Gay Activities Espaco Havainas | Rua Oscar Freire, 1116 | (11) 3079-3415 | http://br.havaianas.com/pt-BR/stores/concept This is the concept store for the iconic Brazilian flip-slops, and worth a visit even if you have no intention of buying. They have every color of the rainbow, and are actually a great gift idea. And if you showed up with clunky shoes, then you can do worse than comfy Havainas!

São Paulo Gay Activities Frei Caneca | Rua Frei Caneca, 569 | (11)3472 2000 | http://www.freicanecashopping.com Frei Caneca is a street, a way of life and also the name of a shopping mall that doubles as a casual cruising spot. And you can multitask by visiting their dozens of shops for gifts for the folks back home. There are good bargains to be had.

São Paulo Gay Restaurants Tordesilhas | Rua Bela Cintra, 465 | (11) 3107-7444 | http://www.tordesilhas.com/eng Although it's named after the treaty signed between Spain and Brazil, the menu is entirely Brazilian as is the delicious gay crowd that frequents it. It's not cheap, but many think it's the best place in the city for authentic Brazilian cuisine. Reservations are not mandatory, but strongly advised.

São Paulo Gay Restaurants Consulado Mineiro | Praça Benedito Calixto, 74 | (11) 3088-6055 | http://www.consuladomineiro.com.br This restaurant serves up authentic northern Brazilian dishes, and is hopping with a very gay crowd on Saturday nights who are loading up before hitting the clubs. Avoid on Saturdays for lunch as it gets packed with shoppers from the antiques market. The portions are big, so come hungry!

São Paulo Gay Restaurants Tirreno's | Rua Frei Caneca, 649 | (11) 3151-4526 | http://www.tirrenos.com.br/freicaneca Tirreno's Grill is a perfect lunchtime spot, when their self-service buffet lets you pick and choose among their tasty salads and succulent grilled skewers of everything from meat to fruit. If you like fresh (young) meat, this is the place to go and check out the selection.

São Paulo Gay Restaurants Piaf Bar & Bistro | Alameda Franca, 303 | (11) 3097 0880 | www.piafbarbistrot.com.br (doesn't work) This cute French place is where you want to take your guy for a romantic meal in the gayborhood, or to grab a quiet drink before heading out a-hunting. In fact, their drinks are starting to earn them quite the reputation.