The Leather Social (at Comptons of Soho)

Friendly, near-subtly cruisy and consistently buzzy monthly leather get-together started in early 2013 (and officially May 2013) by inspired and relatively young upstart Simon Allen, determined to inject new life into London's leather scene. Attracts a mixed, all-ages and manly crowd: formal BLUF-style wear, street style, out-and-out punk, skinhead, serious leathermen in mufti, others. Meets every first Sunday of the month, from 5pm until 10.30pm, in the rather plush, Edwardian-kitschy upstairs bar of Soho's most leather-friendly institution, Comptons of Soho. No strict dress code per se, though you might feel a bit out of step not in boots and leather. A Berlin offshoot kicked off in August 2015. After several years of clever and friendly management by Steve (who in 2021 left London), the Social is now overseen by the ever affable Stephane and, by proxy, Berlin-based LS originator Simon Allen. Recommended. Warning: owing to packed houses (upwards of 140 men), since November 2022 the event enforces a strict 80-limit quota. Best to arrive before 4:45/5pm to avoid unsexy queueing on (or at the bottom of) the stairs.