Soho

Bars and clubs

bars and clubs
Alphabet
61-63 Beak St W1R 3LF
+44 20 7439 2120

Trendy bar that manages to have a comfortable vibe, despite the great art on the wall and hip clientele.

bars and clubs
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Bar
47 Frith St W1D 4HT
+44 20 7439 0747
Non-members admission M-Th £20, F Sa £25; members admission M-Th £5, F Sa £10 (ordinary membership £60 per annum)
Open M-Sa 8:30PM-3AM including Bank holidays (closed Christmas Eve and Day, and Boxing Day); live music 9:45PM-2AM

Ronnie Scott's world-famous jazz venue.

bars and clubs
Lab
12 Old Compton St W1D 4TQ
+44 0 7437 7820

Popular martini bar.

Predominantly gay

predominantly gay
Admiral Duncan
54 Old Compton St W1D 4UB

Gay institution. Make sure you head here on a Sunday evening for the Divine Ms Frankie Fantastique and her weekly game of "Rock and Roll Bingo".

predominantly gay
Barcode
3-4 Archer St W1D 7AP

Bar and dance club, opened a second venue in Vauxhall. Relaxed and friendly bar, mainly male orientated. Alas, now closed down and turned into a straight venue

predominantly gay
Candy Bar
4 Carlisle St W1D 3BJ

Most popular lesbian bar with a mixed clientele.

predominantly gay
Comptons
53-57 Old Compton St W1D 6HN

Gay institution.

predominantly gay
G-A-Y
30 Old Compton St W1D 4UR

Dance party, popular with a very young crowd, who often strip down to their boxer shorts as the night progresses.

predominantly gay
Rupert Street
50 Rupert St W1D 6DR
+44 20 7292 7141
Corner of Rupert and Winnett Sts

A great bar, popular with businessmen.

predominantly gay
Shadow Lounge
5 Brewer St W1F 0RF
+44 20 727 7988

Where the trim, taut and terrific go to party. Often hosts incredible dance party nights.

Pubs

pubs
The Crown and 2 Chairmen
Dean St W1D 3SB
+44 8721 077 077

Has had a fancy refit and has a good selection of beers together with non-smoking upstairs. You may have to wait a little while for your drink however. Popular with local media industry crowd.

pubs
The French House
49 Dean St W1D 5BG

The legendary pub in which the French resistance convened during World War II and which was the favoured haunt of legendary Soho characters such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. It is a very small pub, so expect to be jammed in, particularly in winter. Also, note that the pub only serves beer in half-pints. An absolute Soho institution. Think "Jeffrey Bernard is unwell".

pubs
The Midas Touch
49 Beak St W1F 9SB
Cheap-moderate
tube: Piccadilly Circus

Popular pub with locals and usually has some good happy hour deals.

pubs
The Tottenham
6 Oxford St W1D 2DN
corner of Oxford St opposite Tottenham Court Rd tube station

Recently refurbished pub claiming to be the only pub on the whole of Oxford St. An aboslute tourist trap but it is very convenient.

pubs
The Toucan
19 Carlisle St W1D 3BX

Widely mistaken for an Irish bar it actually specializes in Guinness, said to be the best pint in London. Also checkout their collection of over 100 different Irish whiskies.

pubs
The Crobar
17 Manette St W1D 4AS
Off Charing Cross Rd

Metal pub. Very fine atmosphere if you like or are among the metal folks.

Be careful not to go any place recommended by someone you just met or it will cost you hundreds of pounds with the suggester getting a commission.