Clonezone/CZ (incorporating CZ Dark) (Earl's Court) Formerly: Clone Zone

The most established name in gay retail, Clonezone (formerly Clone Zone) thrived at this location in the late 20th century before Soho took over from Earl's Court as London's closest thing to a gay ghetto or mecca. The flagship CZ is now at 35 Old Compton St, but this outlet is hardly on the wane given its November 2014 expansion into its basement (CZ Dark), where gear and accessories from San Francisco-based veteran Mr S Leather dominates a roomful of retail devoted to the fetish-minded gay male. Plus Boxer, Nasty Pig, Titus Leather, Andrew Christian and much more, including myriad brands of sex toys. In short, the Earl's Court store is not just a clone of the Soho store, though much of what's available in Old Compton St — gifts, books, designer sportswear and other gay-appeal apparel — is also on the shelves here on the ground floor. Located immediately opposite gastro pub The Pembroke (formerly The Coleherne, arguably Britain's most famous gay bar of the 20th century). The Clonezone chain includes shops up north in Birmingham and Manchester. The company was first launched in 1982, when it sold sexy clothing and leather gear inside the infamous early-80s Leicester Square club Subway. Tube station: Earl's Court.