but Soho Theatre Walthamstow has finally unveiled its restoration and opens this week as both spectacular cultural venue and local regeneration gem Culture | Theatre Soho Theatre Walthamstow is opening this week in a blaze of glory And that’s no exaggeration as anyone who casts their eye over the latest pictures of its interiors; a 1930s Grade II listed building revamped as the hottest new entertainment venue in town and theatre - the winning mix from the original Soho Theatre - will be present and correct the place will also be a genuine community hub No wonder Alessandro Babalola (Top Boy actor and co-chair of Soho Theatre Walthamstow) and Mark Godfrey (co-exec director) are buzzing with the excitement of all this as all of these people are coming into the building,” Babalola says “Because I wanted to see them taking in the beauty of the building You can just see how they are taken aback by the aesthetic gorgeousness it just improves the quality of your experience tenfold.” The building was originally built as a 2700-seat cinema but says when he moved to the area 15 years the building was at the centre of protests; having closed in 2002 it was going to be converted into a church until the campaign intervened He eventually was part of a group who collaborated with Soho Theatre to save the building before Waltham Forest Council came onboard and after a long process they bought it in partnership with the Theatre in 2019 and the restoration could begin This gleaming 1000-seat wonder is the result “It was a building that meant a lot to local people and there was this really kind of passionate campaign to save it,” says Godfrey “Our vision was that we can respect the heritage of the building as a local theatre with a national profile So this is building that feels really locally owned and has a good sense of its place We made it into a venue with 1000 good seats rather than rather than the old cinema and make it a venue for live performance All the seats are new and really comfortable I hope it'll be like a premium West End experience Babalola was born in the area and knows full-well what such a venue can mean to people not simply as a gathering point but as an inspirational symbol and particularly this borough has got two special things about it it's one of the most multicultural parts of the city residentially-speaking than any other parts of London as well When you think of that combination of multi-culture and creatives what they utterly need is a place where all of that can explode and the best way that explosion can take place is entertainment I'd always wanted a theatre in our borough We used to go to the Stratford Theatre for pantomime or the Hackney Empire But what I really wanted was a theatre in my borough Quite frankly I would have been happy with a hall but we were given ninth of wonder of the world for all of the people like me who've grown up doing creative things What's on at Walthamstow's new Soho Theatre Krapp’s Last Tape at the Barbican: 'Stephen Rea is oddly workmanlike' Theo Barklem-Biggs on Dealer's Choice Meal2Deal: on a mission to make food poverty history One scheme they’ll be running here on this level is Primary Playwrights where schoolkids can put their work on stage and those all-important panto coming at Christmas “We haven't had a pantomime in the borough for over 50 years and it’s something that has been needed for a very long time.” But it’s not just the creative inspiration taking place it’s the economic benefit coming to the area as well “One of the real drivers is economic regeneration and job creation We've created 100 new jobs in the borough and 70% are local people and it was just fantastic to see so many local people getting a first job in the in the in the cultural sector “Another example is that we have a lot of bars here and that is brewed for us locally in the borough by a family firm of brewers The order that we've been able to give them for both Soho Theatre bar in Dean Street and here means that they've been able to invest in in new equipment in their brewery and also create an apprenticeship scheme and I think that's a really important part of it.” and as the programme begins with Natalie Palamides’ acclaimed romantic-dramedy you can bet all eyes will be turned to Walthamstow “It’s only 20 minutes from Oxford Circus!” reminds Babalola Read also: What's on at Walthamstow's new Soho Theatre? Take a look at the full event programme for Soho Theatre Walthamstow Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary The last decade has given us a handful of theatre openings that have now become sell-out mainstays of the West End: Soho Place The Bridge Theatre and now the biggest and pinkest of them all Partnered up with it’s home in Dean Street the brand new venue is a renovation of the previously left to rot 186 Hoe Street Soho Theatre have made a seismic move here it is one of the most beautiful theatre’s I have ever seen the West End hasn’t got a scratch on this design and the venue makes it’s artistic intentions clear a one-woman clowning show/meltdown by Natalie Palamides WEER tells the relationship epic of Mark and Christina two generic and attractive 20-somethings who happen to be two halves of the same body split down the middle of Natalie Palamides… perhaps they’re… soul mates we are taken through the entire history of them the first kiss (soundtracked of course by The Cranberries) It manages to hit every beat of the 90s/00s romcom A regular feature on the popular late-night cabaret act that once in a blue moon graces the Soho Theatre Natalie Palamides is a seasoned clowning expert She is top of her game and is doing it like nobody else WEER is a masterfully refined and downright hilarious 85 minutes She digs at pockets of energy that no normal human being possesses but not in a way that looks down the rims of its glasses and tells you Natalie Palamides is radical in her comedy because she goes right back to the roots she tears around the stage and the auditorium (spoilers: audience interaction) like a child who wants to make a penis joke and destroy their parents living room with a water pistol The skill of Natalie Palamides is her ability to dance on the edge of offence it’s a knowing blast back to the comedy of the early 00s other bodily fluids that don’t make the edit (but use your imagination) and a thousand jokes that at a glance would be grounds for cancellation it manages to hit on a few genuine and disturbing points caught up in a violent and destructive relationship - both cheating As Palamides flips manically between the two she creates some genuinely disturbing (but still hilarious) moments It’s as if Virginia Woolf wrote an American Pie movie She has an exceptional ability to make the complex look simple briefcase in hand and is splashed by cars going past they scream and land into each other's arms physical gags and props are timed to perfection and if you want to apply some deeper meaning to it I’m sure the metaphor for the relationship is just within your reach There’s something about Natalie Palamides that just warms your soul; she takes you on an 85-minute ride through her head even for those who like to add to their Hinge bio that they ‘like clowning’ the entire audience leapt to their feet in truly one of the most springy standing ovations I’ve ever seen Palamides reminds us what this place is for: to give artists who are used to only playing the small rooms the chance to feel this one The most exciting new opening in a LONG time it is our responsibility to keep this beautiful theatre packed and supported and if they programmed WEER for a 10-year run I have no doubt it would be rammed for 10 long years WEER is playing at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow until May 10th Tickets from: https://sohotheatre.com/events/natalie-palamides-weer-3/  stunningly beautiful venue opens with an astonishing and unforgettable work of art Natalie Palamides’ previous show Nate was easily the best piece of comedy that I saw in 2018 it saw her take on the character of a hard drinking though it quickly became clear that Nate was also quite the damaged individual and he gradually became sympathetic and I recommended it to every person I knew (and many I didn’t) I must confess that I had some minor concerns over whether Natalie Palamides was the best choice of opening act for this stunningly beautiful new venue in the East End of London Nate felt like it was so special because of the small space it was performed in and the intimacy that was created between Palamides and the audience; there was a frisson of excitement when an audience member briefly became part of it and so exquisite that I’d be amazed if it didn’t receive rave reviews across the board only minutes before Y2K may well destroy the world and Mark and Christina are in the middle of a furious argument one which threatens to end their three year relationship and masculine clothing of Mark on the left half of her body while Christina’s more feminine outfit and makeup are on the right side she jumps between the two characters over and over again in a feat of physical comedy that is often breathtaking This is a meet-cute rom-com; it’s a horror film; it’s a live action cartoon; it’s a powerful take on toxic relationships; it’s an exceptionally nuanced look at love – and it’s one of the finest shows I’ve ever attended Palamides is a comedian-clown at the very top of her game and one who has created something so astonishing that I imagine it will be extremely hard to beat by the rest of the incredibly talented comedians for which the venue already has dates on sale Palamides’ performance is indeed so strong that it’s very easy to forget that there’s only one actor on the stage It’s the kind of production that must have required a huge amount of physical training as well a ninety minute whirlwind where Palamides makes superb use of the huge stage often bringing on props and furniture with the deft hand of a master magician Another show I have no doubt I’ll be talking about for years Weer cements Palamides’ reputation as one of the comedy greats and it’s so unique that I’m certain it could convert the most ardent hater of live comedy into a fan Written and performed by Natalie PalamidesLighting designed by Lily Woodford-LewisProduced by Steve Lock and Beth Reardon Nathalie Palamides: Weer plays at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow until Saturday May 10th The venue will be a game-changer for the London area Tanyel Gumushan Soho Theatre Walthamstow has revealed first look photos as it prepares to open its doors next month The new venue, located in the former Granada building in north London, will feature a 960-seat auditorium alongside studio spaces and a range of facilities, including multiple bars and a restaurant. The opening season includes a mix of theatre, comedy, live podcasts, and more, as revealed previously the Granada building has been meticulously restored to preserve its Grade II listed features while introducing modern amenities Its history as a performance venue includes appearances by iconic artists such as the Beatles and Dusty Springfield the building was acquired and refurbished by Waltham Forest Council in partnership with Soho Theatre following a community-led campaign to save the space Soho Theatre Walthamstow will welcome its first audiences on 2 May Get the best deals and latest updates on theatre and shows by signing up for WhatsOnStage newsletter today Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London Fifteen years after it was first mooted Soho Theatre’s Walthamstow outpost finally opened in the spring of 2025 The 970-seater venue takes over a former Granada Cinema built in 1930 and closed in 2003 restoring the Grade II-listed property to its former glory with a £30 million building project there will be a focus on comedy in the programming, with visitors also promised an annual panto theatre and community-focused education projects.  Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us After a rather lengthy restoration project the curtain raises at East London's shiny new performance space The Walthamstow venue will be pretty similar to its Soho sibling The main difference is that it won’t be in Soho and it will also be substantially larger – but more on that later The new theatre will feature a 960-seater auditorium three studio spaces and four bars (glad to see they have their priorities in order) This mighty restoration project has been in the pipeline since 2010 and £30 million later; Soho Theatre Walthamstow is finally set to raise its curtain in May And its ‘vibrant and eclectic’ opening programme of work has just been announced The programme will be kicked off with Natalie Palamides’ WEER following the show’s smash-hit sell-out runs in Edinburgh and at Soho Theatre has also been commissioned to create a new show for the theatre and there’s set to be an annual panto Soho Theatre Walthamstow will host monthly comedy nights and is also aiming to run a variety of workshops to help nurture creative talent in the local area Co-Executive Directors of Soho Theatre Walthamstow “We’re thrilled to be announcing Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s opening and first shows this iconic building with a remarkable history is reinvented as a fantastic new venue for the future supporting culture-led growth and regeneration None of this would be possible without the passionate grassroots campaign to save it and the commitment of Waltham Forest Council to invest in it We thank the very many people who have contributed to it and can’t wait to announce more and to welcome you in from May Find out more about Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s full opening programme, and book your tickets here the “Texas-meets-Parisian” pop-up blended Clarins’ signature French glamour with Southern charm in a unique beauty bar experience The Sweetheart Saloon experience was further elevated with lip-inspired sodas and treats Utah’s viral soda shop Swig served custom drinks infused with edible sparkles Guests were also offered sweets from cult-favorite candy brand Lil Sweet Treats The Traitors winner Dylan Efron made an exclusive appearance in the saloon on Saturday 26th anniversary of Admiral Duncan nail bomb attack City Lord Mayor Robert Rigby among the crowd at the Admiral Duncan pub in Old Compton Street CITY Lord Mayor Robert Rigby was among those who gathered outside the Admiral Duncan pub in Old Compton Street to mark the 26th anniversary of the nail bomb attack on the popular Soho venue Nik Moore and John Light were killed and 140 others were injured in further attacks in Brixton Market and Brick Lane leads the procession at the memorial event Cllr Rigby spoke to survivors and their families and then joined a vigil in St Anne’s Gardens where he spoke of Westminster’s values as a community Lamps were lit and the crowd were greeted to three songs by the Pink Singers choir After the event he said: “It was important to show our support for the LGBTQ+ and global majority community who were the target of these attacks It was also a moment to thank the emergency services who act so heroically in the darkest of moments.” The central London institution champions new talent amplifies LGBTQ+ voices and always takes risks artists discuss how the West End venue is not just a place – it’s a philosophy A fixture on London’s Dean Street for 25 years, Soho theatre has hatched plays that won Oliviers shows that earned the Edinburgh comedy award and ideas that became TV hits The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. In those rooms, I’ve watched American clown Natalie Palamides giving such a spirited performance that she vomited on stage, dancer and comedian Adrienne Truscott challenging rape jokes, and performance artist Kim Noble pushing audiences beyond comfort. I’ve sung along to ballads with sketch group Daphne, and folk songs with Sh!t Theatre Soho does all this by running a “festival programme” “It allows us to take risks,” says executive director and CEO Mark Godfrey And perhaps most famously of all, Phoebe Waller-Bridge who first performed her one-woman show – and later hit TV series – Fleabag at the venue “Soho theatre has a genuinely experimental “It’s one of the only theatres that consistently puts on provocative work from lesser-known writers and performers and encourages them to be original I’ve seen some of the best work of my life in those spaces.” Waller-Bridge began her artistic relationship with Soho in 2009, in finance-industry satire Roaring Trade: “I remember throttling Andrew Scott with a tie as the lights went up every night which was the beginning of one of the most happy collaborations of my life.” With colleagues in her DryWrite theatre company she became an associate artist at the theatre commissioning Adolescence writer Jack Thorne’s play Mydidae in 2012 Fleabag first appeared in Soho’s upstairs room Being offered space to preview “was no small thing” The Soho theatre audience is so up for it … unshockable Now that game-for-anything is going to get a lot larger. As the theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary, it’s also starting a new chapter – the opening of 1,000-seater Soho Theatre Walthamstow where it will entertain its biggest audiences yet That basement showcased future stars such as Bob Hoskins that fringe explosion of the 70s,” says Godfrey With director Abigail Morris and producer David Aukin Godfrey found a building on Dean Street that had formerly housed a synagogue The vision was influenced by the diversity and collective spirit of the south London theatre Ovalhouse the ICA’s punk aesthetics and experimental performances “They love the work,” says performance artist Bryony Kimmings short-ish plays meant Dean Street’s stages were free by 9pm Lock started working on the box office in 2001 and programming things crowds couldn’t find at comedy clubs We started to feel like the natural home for people’s one-hour shows in the early 2000s and it’s snowballed from then.” Soho welcomed American drag performers such as Kiki and Herb plus acts such as Hannah Gadsby before their rise to fame and the basement became a bespoke cabaret space They decided “to give equal importance to theatre Lock points to artists like Kimmings and Noble whose recent show Main Character Energy blended performance styles says: “It’s an extraordinary space for people whose work is genre-pushing.” Kimmings says: “They never say no They trust you to be creative.” When I ask artists what sets Soho theatre apart from other institutions Associate artists used to be given membership to the Groucho Club but when the theatre started running the bar this was swapped for bar discounts instead The idea was to build a club-like atmosphere right there When you enter Dean Street’s bar now, chances are you’ll recognise someone – it’s a “snipers’ alley” per one TV producer’s analogy; you’re always in the eyeline of an artist, writer, agent. For punters, this means the chance to spot a star. Social media was abuzz in 2023 when Florence Pugh Andrew Garfield and Phoebe Bridgers were snapped after attending Kate Berlant’s show It helps that many of the artists connected to Soho arrived as fledging talent Kimmings had never visited Soho theatre until a meeting to discuss the transfer of her 2010 fringe show Sex Idiot a tale of chlamydia and reappraising relationships She’s spoken in the past about the snobbery and classism that can come with traditional theatre Meeting Lock and dramaturg Nina Steiger: “The two of them felt like family “[Steiger] taught me how to use the principles of narratives When she wanted to make another show – an exploration of alcohol and creativity – they gave her space to develop and she wanted their input Kimmings now teaches young artists and says most dream of staging their work at Soho “It’s managed to establish a mark of quality and experimentalism Free weekly newsletterThe only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns Without that we’ll just end up with generic workPhoebe Waller-BridgeCheerleading new artists is vital especially in the current funding climate: “Writers need places to take risks and to have the support of a theatre who back you as an individual rather than just a single project means you can push the boundaries.” Without that “we’ll just end up with more and more generic work because people need to hedge their bets” Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani in Brown Girls Do It Too the Soho theatre adaptation of their podcast Photograph: Tristram Kenton/The GuardianPoppy Jay used to walk past Soho theatre on the way to Topshop in nearby Oxford Circus the theatre space doesn’t really feel like ours,” she says Jay and co-host Rubina Pabani were invited to create a stage version of their podcast which they developed at Dean Street into a theatrical mix of jokes sketches and discussion of sexuality and cultural expectations she says the theatre is “embracing of talent and people from other backgrounds It’s completely different to how I always imagined theatre spaces to be.” Soho theatre also runs “labs” to coach new talent Comedians Jack Rooke and Olga Koch started in the comedy programme and playwright Ryan Calais Cameron in the writers’ lab remembers the comedy lab as “the most valuable education I’ve ever had One day would be being taught how to apply to go to the fringe by Richard Gadd the next week we’d have a masterclass with the DryWrite team,” he says “It taught me to be OK with putting darkness and silliness next to each other.” He commemorated Soho’s role in his career by naming a Big Boys’ character after staff member Jules Haworth who helped him secure a comedy lab bursary Rooke says: “It’s always been good at taking a risk on new talent and not just following where the buzz is.” It’s been nearly 15 years since Godfrey joined the fight to transform the Walthamstow venue, which nearly became a church, into a functioning theatre. With the launch imminent, he reflects on Soho’s origins. “One of the challenges is: how do you become a bigger organisation and still keep that queer-punk, radical-fringe core identity?” Read moreThey hope that “plurality of voices” in the theatre’s artistic team and the relationships they’ve built with artists over the years will preserve the Soho spirit the pressure was off and creativity flowed Will it be easier to fill an auditorium now on the cachet of Soho’s past successes or will people expect mainstream acts from a larger venue Alongside the company’s usual genre-melding works tickets are already on sale for a pantomime and shows from Jon Ronson and Adam Kay but it will be nice when you actually see it.” During the redevelopment, there was some criticism over the loss of local LGBTQ+ venue The Victoria but there has also been local outreach work There are new labs programmes for Walthamstow locals including Godfrey and Soho Theatre Walthamstow co-chair Alessandro Babalola are locals themselves Growing affection and audiences among residents as well as persuading others to make the journey out Memories formed at Dean Street might hold lessons in how to retain the theatre’s identity Kimmings laughs as she recalls one night in the cabaret basement when an audience member bit her leg and she ended her show dancing on stage next to Juliette Lewis Soho theatre is “a place where you get to be free A place where you can cast off your baggage and really belly laugh To continue reading this article you must be logged in Register or login below to unlock 3 free articles every month Or subscribe from just £7.99 and get unlimited access to thestage.co.uk Invest in The Stage today with a subscription starting at just £7.99 © Copyright The Stage Media Company Limited 2025 slapstick joy is the perfect show to open London’s newest theatrical venue Culture | Comedy The new Soho Theatre offshoot in Walthamstow certainly opened in style. A launch party on Thursday, night graced by Ian McKellen among other luminaries was followed on Friday by the opening of the first show there: Weer calling the Grade II listed building an offshoot does not do it justice With an auditorium that seats almost a thousand — The Beatles and Rolling Stones once played here — it's much bigger than the Dean Street space with high ceilings and 1930s Spanish baroque and Moorish stylings to call Natalie Palamides a comedian does not do her justice either The Los Angeles-based performer is a fearless terrifically talented physical storyteller and clown — though at times closer to challenging performance artist than red-nosed entertainer It is apt that she was chosen for the inaugural E17 event as some of her early UK outings were on the original W1 stage which was nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award last summer We join them on New Year's Eve 1999 before flashing back to 1996 to see how they got there Soho Theatre Walthamstow opens: 'You will be taken aback by the aesthetic gorgeousness!' Soho Theatre Walthamstow to open in May with cut-price tickets for locals Palamides plays Mark and Christina simultaneously by splitting her outfit down the middle pastel pink top and short skirt on the other Fez-wearing TV star Tommy Cooper did a similar act but not for almost ninety hilarious minutes Whether Mark and Christina are squabbling over car keys snogging in the onstage shower or getting repeatedly splashed by imaginary traffic it is easy to forget that there is only one person onstage You can read it as a comment on gender — Palamides' previous show Nate deftly explored consent Or you could simply sit back and enjoy it as a romcom send-up complete with brilliantly sly nods to Richard Curtis in general and Notting Hill in particular There is audience participation but of the distinctly benign kind You won't get hauled onstage unless you really want to There is no chance of anyone else stealing the show Romeo and Juliet by way of a forgotten Pearl Jam cover version various 1990s pop classics and some rubbery prosthetic genitalia It is ambitious to book a comedian not known for their TV or online work to play the first week But if anybody can pull it off Palamides can A spectacular show to open a spectacular location Weer by Natalie Palamides, Soho Theatre Walthamstow, until May 10, sohotheatre.com The new venue opens in Walthamstow this month Alex Braybrooke Soho Theatre Walthamstow is set to open its doors this month bringing new life to the historic Granada building in north London This new venue will feature a 960-seat auditorium, studio spaces, and a variety of amenities including multiple bars and a restaurant. The opening season includes a mix of theatre, comedy, live podcasts, and more, as previously revealed the building has been beautifully restored to retain its Grade II listed charm while integrating modern features having hosted legends like the Beatles and Dusty Springfield it was rescued and transformed through a community-led campaign and a partnership between Waltham Forest Council and Soho Theatre Soho Theatre Walthamstow officially welcomes audiences from 2 May Check out our behind-the-scenes tour video to see the restoration of this iconic space, along with first-look photos Looking for your next date night idea in London? Save this! Come with us for a behind the scenes look at the newly refurbished Soho Theatre Walthamstow. #London #Theatre #Walthamstow There wasn’t much cause for celebration in 2020 when Covid was rife and Londoners could no longer properly enjoy the culinary delights of the capital until restrictions finally loosened in the summer and many boozers and restaurants threw their doors open again.  In Soho, dining and drinking spilled out onto the streets as part of the ‘Soho Summer Street Festival’ set up to encourage guests back into the square mile for alfresco dining breathed life into an area which had been deadly quiet throughout the lockdown.  Now, according to intel from the Times The newspaper has apparently had access to a letter penned by two of Sadiq Khan’s deputies urging London’s boroughs to ‘do what you can to support popular and exciting ideas like alfresco dining and late-night openings’ as evenings get warmer throughout the spring and summer months The letter also encourages boroughs to act soon before the Mayor’s pilot scheme allowing him to override licensing decisions made by individual authorities comes into effect.  The group’s focus is on improving safety and easing congestion but it also highlighted the lack of outdoor dining space on offer.  Times were tough for the city’s hospitality industry during lockdowns and many credit schemes like the Soho Summer Street Festival for keeping establishments afloat Given that National Insurance contributions and minimum wage both went up this month it could be prime time for profit-boosting schemes set up by local boroughs Soho spots may be subject to a new business rates relief system which could lead to subsidising lower rates for businesses in less popular areas Another season of sunny outdoor dining in Soho could be a saving grace for struggling bars and restaurants Coral Anderson, managing director of Swift Bars whose Soho site was one of the establishments which took part in the original 2020 scheme says: ‘A well-managed return of Soho’s Alfresco summer could bring clear benefits to the entire West End community It would offer a much-needed boost in revenue and footfall for hospitality businesses many of which are currently facing declining consumer confidence and increased National Insurance contributions ‘Residents of Soho would also stand to gain with notable reductions in traffic and pollution contributing to an improved quality of life in the area it could help make Soho a more welcoming and enjoyable destination for both locals and visitors alike.’ Anna Watkins, managing director of tapas bar Barrafina on Dean Street said: ‘We’ve seen footfall and visitor numbers decline in Soho which along with rising costs has really hit us bars and restaurants hard We would welcome the return of alfresco dining much needed guests and to celebrate what makes Soho such a wonderful one of the beating hearts of London.’ There are no official plans in place yet – but any opportunity to scran small plates in the street is music to our ears.  Whether you're indoors or outdoors, here are the best restos in Soho And our fave Soho bars Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel The Blue Note Jazz club has been granted permission for a 350-seater venue in the basement of the St Martin's Lane hotel News | London Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A jazz club branded ‘the most famous in the world’ will open in Covent Garden weeks after its owners launched a legal battle against Westminster City Council It is an offshoot of the renowned Blue Note in New York which opened in 1981 and is often dubbed the most famous jazz club in the world The decision comes after the owners of the proposed jazz club, near Leicester Square, launched a legal fight after Westminster council said it would have to adhere to the "core hours" policy, which says any new pubs, bars, fast food, music and dance venues wanting to open in much of Soho must close by 11.30pm on weekdays midnight on Friday and Saturday an 10.30pm on Sunday president of Blue Note Entertainment Group and son of the original Blue Note Cafe founder Danny Bensusan previously told Sky News he had been left questioning support for live music in the capital after his late licence application was turned down I can't imagine how they would be supportive of other smaller venues which are important for the ecosystem in general,” he quipped But Westminster City Council granted the famous jazz club a license on Thursday adding that it wanted “to ensure late night entertainment can continue to thrive” in charge of planning and economic development at Westminster City Council said: This is exactly the kind of venue we want to see more of in Westminster and which is encouraged in our After Dark strategy as part of a more varied evening and night time offer across the city The council recently launched its first “After Dark” strategy amid concerns the capital’s nightlife is being crushed by bureaucracy and spiralling costs The town hall said the draft policy aims to “champion sensory-friendly and inclusive entertainment - encouraging venues to host ‘quiet nights’ with reduced noise levels Kneecap’s manager says rap trio ‘happy to meet’ Sir David Amess’ daughter Kneecap teases new music after counter-terrorism officers launch investigation How Guerrilla.Co is tackling road-runoff pollution in the UK A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: “Every licensing decision is carefully considered based on the evidence presented to committee and keeping in mind the needs of residents it was clear that venue management have engaged extensively with local people to improve their application and address the concerns that were raised by the police following the approval of this application jazz lovers will soon be able to enjoy the Blue Note Jazz Club.” Scotland Yard had previously objected to the venue’s bid to be allowed to stay open and serve alcohol until 1am saying they believed it “could add to crime disorder and public nuisance” in the West End Officers told Westminster City Council that they believed the late hours would “expose more people to crime and disorder in the immediate area” They said jazz fans “leaving the venue late at night” may become a target for illegal taxis who “prey on vulnerable as well being targeted for mobile phone snatches The concern was echoed by a resident who asked councillors to limit the venue’s hours to 11pm to protect “vulnerable” jazz enthusiasts from criminals operating in the West End The unnamed resident wrote: “It is suggested that it is extremely likely that some of the dispersing jazz lovers may be inebriated to a greater or lesser extent or perhaps slightly disorientated by their emergence into the cool night air “They will be immediately vulnerable to the gangs of criminals who already prey on similar groups of people in the Soho area.” The team behind the venue had previously urged councillors to allow it to open until 1am saying it was “integral” to its functioning as a live jazz club They said: “London’s cultural fabric is on the line here Grassroot music venue infrastructure will fall even further and remain below replacement rate if new venues like this application are not supported.” They added that the proposed location - which was formerly a gym until its closure in 2023 - has been lying empty According to research carried out by the Mayor of London’s office the number of grassroots music venues in the capital plummeted from 144 in 2007 to just 94 in 2016 The Music Venue Trust in March last year estimated around one grassroots venue was closing per week on average nationally with its research showing that in 2022 “the number of shows taking place at grassroots level fell by 16.9% representing a significant threat to the talent pipeline” The first Blue Note venue was opened in New York in 1981 by owner Danny Bensusan and has played host to many famous names in the genre Other outlets have been established in Los Angeles The theatre officially opens its doors on Friday May 2 Friday marks the official opening of Soho Theatre Walthamstow with the premiere of Natalie Palamides: WEER The facility which was transformed by Waltham Forest Council in collaboration with Soho Theatre the first season is jam-packed with talent Rosie Jones and Phil Wang in the comedy Neon Nights Dara Ó Briain and Tim Minchin are also set to feature Here is all the shows you can expect in the upcoming weeks at Soho Theatre Walthamstow After a successful run at the Soho Theatre and Edinburgh Natalie Palamides' tour-de-force Weer transfer to the Soho Theatre Walthamstow for a strictly limited run asks you to consider every argument from two points of view Ahir Shah is set to perform his award-winning stand-up show The show synthesises the past and present in an effort to find hope for the future YouTube cult figure and most recently Baby Reindeer actor returns to the stage after 20 years of stand-up following seasons at the comedy festivals in Adelaide Mark took some time to reflect on the uncertain future of humanity He discusses this in a usually hectic and entertaining new show along with other equally important topics like the worst term he has ever spoken in public With an all-star ensemble of comedians and some very special guests is going on tour to transform audience anecdotes into entirely improvised comic sequences Following sold-out performances in Edinburgh Kool Story Bro is the improvisational comedy act that creates spontaneous sketches based on the most bizarre and outrageous stories from the crowd These "world-class improvisers" (Corr Blimey) are going to start from scratch each show and produce a completely original and completely absurd performance with the help of an unexpected celebrity host with almost four million social media followers he is now a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning show The Daily Show Johnson made his late-night debut in 2017 as a writer and performer on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon debuted on Peacock to overwhelmingly positive reviews praising Josh as a “naturally gifted story teller.” LS Lowry painting originally bought for £10 sells for more than £800,000 Wave of retailer hacking incidents ‘a wake-up call’ 'World's most famous jazz club' to open in Covent Garden despite police complaints The podcast will be recorded live and in person on stage by Joe Devine They will be discussing the Premier League and Champions League finals The full list of events and tickets can be found on the Soho Theatre Walthamstow website It’s my first visit to London’s newest theatre and the press officer says she wants to hang about for a bit: ‘just until I see the look on your face when you see the auditorium for the first time’.  I immediately start worrying that I’ll offend everyone by not looking impressed enough, but it’s all good: my jaw duly thuds to the floor when I step into the main house of Soho Theatre Walthamstow.  The ‘original’ Soho Theatre on Dean Street in central London is a truly wonderful comedy but the building is not what you’d call architecturally noteworthy Soho Theatre Walthamstow is a different matter entirely.  but the short version is that it opened in 1930 as The Granada Now it’s been born again as a 1,000-seat comedy and theatre venue unobtrusive paint job that brings it somewhat in line with the Dean Street venue the inside is like stepping back in time – a ravishing art deco masterpiece so instantly iconic that I feel a twinge of frustration that it’s just been sitting here unused for decades.  The original Granada cinema was a special place: built by prolific London theatre architect Cecil Masey and with interiors by the great stage designer Theodore Komisarjevsky it was beloved by noted Leytonstone resident Alfred Hitchcock But screens that size were not built to last beyond the golden age of cinema By the ’60s it had diversified to accommodate gigs – the likes of The Beatles Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis played there While films were still shown right through the ’80s and ’90s The Granada closed as a cinema in 2003 and was purchased by international evangelical organisation the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God which intended to convert it into a church Many local residents were up in arms about the loss of the Granada as a cultural space the UCKG had deep pockets and was in no hurry: the building was allowed to fall into ruin while the church waited for permission to be granted who else was going to take on the massive Grade II* listed building But the grassroots campaign to keep the building working as an entertainment venue found its knight in shining armour some 15 years ago in the form of then-recent transplant to the borough Mark Godfrey He proposed turning the building into the big sister of the Dean Street venue (whose main room has a capacity of just 150) The process of securing permission was a gruelling one and involved persuading local authorities that it was a viable business idea ‘I was literally subjected to a hostile cross examination,’ Godfrey says ‘I’d provided the names of 100 comedians who could play a 1,000-seat theatre and there was a barrister picking people off the list and saying: really?’ though the journey to opening has been long ‘When we first moved in there were pigeons living in the auditorium and a massive pool of water at the front,’ says Godfrey Godfrey tells me that the technical term for the finished state of the building is ‘arrested decay’ rather than full restoration – because it’s not been reset to 1930 but incorporates some of the updates made over the years The auditorium has been partitioned off and the back of it turned into a bar – the huge original capacity was clearly not viable There have been some discrete but fairly major additions it’s pretty close to stepping back in time 95 years The process has been meticulous: because the only available photos of the Granada’s heyday were black and white paint experts were called in to analyse the pillars to identify what their colour schemes should be: now it’s bedaubed in the same rich browns greens and reds that punters would have seen almost a century ago.  Finally, here we are. There was a test event for locals with the London Community Gospel Choir last Thursday and a couple of trial comedy gigs over the weekend, and the theatre opens this week with a run of LA physical comedy queen Natalie Palamides’s brilliant one-woman romcom Weer can a Zone 3 suburb really support a 1,000-seat comedy theatre with a capacity three times bigger than Dean Street Soho Walthamstow’s co-chair is local lad Alessandro Babalola who remembers seeing films at the Granada as a child in the ’90s He points out that east London has historically been beloved by artists and creatives as a place to live but has been poorly served by actual cultural venues.  ‘There’s always been a lot of creative people and creative energy in the borough,’ he says ‘But there hasn’t really been fantastic cultural infrastructure until now Godfrey meanwhile is keen to point out that it’s hardly in the middle of nowhere: ‘Walthamstow is 20 minutes from Oxford Circus and the theatre is a three or four-minute walk from Walthamstow station We want to get a London-wide audience as well as a local audience.’ the idea is that it’ll be a fun place you’ll want to stick around: it has a 2am licence and a first-floor restaurant is due to open at some nebulous point (they haven’t actually decided what type of food it’ll involve yet although Godfrey muses he might expand on the Indian street food offering at Dean Street) It only took one peek inside to make me a believer – simply because having seen it I want this space to succeed at all costs A few Soho-y flourishes have been added to the interior – notably the neon sign and giant disco ball in the huge marble foyer-slash-bar – but Soho Theatre Walthamstow is its own place a London architectural jewel bigger than the Soho Theatre brand (it almost reopened under its original name of the Granada but it was decided that felt a bit anonymous) Perhaps one way of viewing it is as a magnificent endangered creature that Soho has now pledged itself to protect.  If it’s not a brilliant time for arts funding, we are living in an era where London has been blessed with a lot of new theatres: in the last few years @sohoplace, Sadler’s Wells East and the Lightroom have all opened up A cynic might point out that these are all long gestating projects initiated in happier times But all the better they come to fruition now Soho Theatre Walthamstow feels like it has the potential to be the best of the group – a ‘new’ venue that’s also an important part of London’s history ‘People need arts,’ says Babalola ‘They need to sit together in the theatre and enjoy and connect with people over a joke or a storyline or a great melody or whatever it is All of these new venues – we really need them they’re helping to bring that invigoration to the human spirit.’ Soho Theatre Walthamstow opens Friday May 2 The best new London theatre openings in 2025. The best London comedy shows this month. officially opens its doors this Friday (May 2nd) with the debut of Natalie Palamides: WEER Stunning new images reveal the striking restoration of the 1930s Granada cinema which is now a 960-seat venue packed with energy and ambition Transformed by Waltham Forest Council in partnership with Soho Theatre the space combines heritage charm with modern edge Expect the buzz of Soho Theatre’s iconic bar complete with locally brewed Neon lager and Mumbai street food from Curry On Naanstop The opening season is stacked: Neon Nights comedy showcases stars like Sara Pascoe 15,000 £15 tickets are being offered to Waltham Forest residents The venue also launches a vibrant creative programme including drag and comedy workshops © Built Environment and Architecture Media Ltd 2025 We use cookies and other tracking technologies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website analyse your use of our products and services assist with our promotional 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build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites you will not experience our targeted advertising across different websites These cookies are necessary to display content from social networks such as Facebook In such a way that you can share our content with your favourite social networks By: Rachel Klemovitch headed to downtown Manhattan with the launch of its Sweetheart Saloon This event celebrated the brand’s newest launch and 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Lip Oil in Shade Iconic 54 The pop-up was fashioned after a Texas-meets-Parisian saloon Clarins teamed up with Kennedy Eurich and Alencia Lewis for the out of home campaign in Soho and with AI artist Sam Finn for teaser social videos The immersive beauty bar welcomed over 100 guests for an exclusive preview including NYC-based influencers like the Nader Sisters Swig created custom lip shade-inspired beverages and sweet treats from cult candy brand Lil Sweet Treats were provided.  Clarins Celebrates Double Serum Generation 9 Re-Launch with TX Event Clarins Acquires Land for Product Sourcing Clarins to Improve Efficiency at Its Two French Production Sites Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media Casually chaotic boltholes where you’d be plied with massive portions of perfectly serviceable food From Lorelai to The Stockpot (ask your mum) this was what powered the neighbourhood until the fateful dawn of a sanitised Soho which saw branches of Supreme and End Clothing replace the peep shows and smut shops 27 Old Compton Street is a passport back to 1987 It’s walk-ins only (but in a how-convenient way rather than an that’s-annoying way) and their thing is mega dishes of pasta that are never more than £14 with most hovering around the £11 mark A couple of hastily erected vintage Vermouth prints and brown leather banquette seating gives the place a tidy feel and service is jolly but a tad rushed 27 Old Compton Street’s thing isn’t Sophia Loren-style glamour but about priding ludicrous value over interior design swag and a server incessantly folding your napkin every time you go to the loo.  For just £3.50 there’s an overflowing bowl of crispy courgette fries that’s somewhere in between quintessential fritti and batter-heavy chip shop scraps while two burly cacio e pepe arancini in a pool of parmesan soup feels a steal at £6.50 A massive mortadella flatbread doesn’t scrimp on pistachio Those huge plates of pasta may not have the grace of a dainty Trullo offering but that’s not what we’re here for We’re here for halls of residence-worthy bathtub-sized portions Neatly al dente conchiglie comes with perfectly cooked octopus in a thick and comforting tomato-based ragu There is so much of it we cannot even comprehend finishing it all And while the equally enormous dish of maccheroni vodka might lack a certain sharp boozy twang places like this are about more than the finesse of the food they’re about value and that long-lost old school allure The vibe Rowdy mates and dates filling up on cheap flatbreads and all kinds of Italian nibbly bits.  The drink A short but decent wine list and a couple of aperitivo-esque cocktails for good measure Time Out tip From Thursday to Saturday it’s open until 1am Looks like Blue Ivy’s all grown up but that hasn’t stopped her from helping her parents out, joining her mum Beyonce on stage for her Cowboy Carter tour. The internet’s niece fr. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hublot (@hublot) If you were wondering who the CEO of Hublot might be, let us reintroduce you to Choupette – Karl Lagerfeld’s cat. That’s right, the cat’s out of the bag. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bicester Village (@bicestervillage) View this post on Instagram A post shared by ΛRIES (@ariesarise) After collaborating on a pretty crazy pair of Mostros last year, Arise and Puma have linked up again but, this time, with a focus on a newer model that features a suede upper with teeth-like details on the midsole. Perfect for that MMA theme they’re going ahead with. View this post on Instagram A post shared by COLD CULTURE (@coldculture) What better way to celebrate your 40th Birthday than to show the world a piece of history? Well that’s exactly what Morley’s have done, giving their pals Krept & Konan the honour of bringing it to the London Museum for their unveiling next year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNWLS (@knwlslondon) KNWLS have always gone above and beyond with their campaigns but this one’s defo their biggest and best work. Collaborating with Torso Solutions, they’ve dropped a new series starring Colin Jones with beautiful visuals and even more beautiful clothes. Check it out! View this post on Instagram A post shared by CELINE (@celine) To show off Celine’s unmatched craftsmanship, they’ve launched CELINE ATELIERS to give us a behind-the-scenes look at how they continue their legacy at their atelier in Tuscany. Pretty crazy stuff. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dior Official (@dior) Giving us an early preview of their Fall 2025 collection, Dior’s Kim Jones is leans into the vibrant energy of ’70s New York and Paris to give us looks that scream effortlessly relaxed luxury. It’s sophisticated tailoring perfect for the everyday wardrobe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stone Island (@stoneisland) From Amsterdam and Barcelona to, now, London, MR PORTER’s latest modern steakhouse experience is arriving in the heart of Mayfair. It’s all about blending timeless favourites with distinct signatures, from the interiors to the dishes themselves. Make sure you pay them a visit, open now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miu Miu (@miumiu) Miu Miu is back with another fire campaign, this time going into Mother Nature for their L’ETE collection that brings back favourites like the Aventure bag alongside new styles that embody endless summer days and balmy evenings. 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Get a first-look at the beautiful Soho Theatre Walthamstow Soho Theatre’s major new 960-seat venue opening this week in London The new 960-seat theatre will house UK and international comedy Soho Theatre Walthamstow has been beautifully restored from the 1930s former Granada cinema by Waltham Forest Council in partnership with Soho Theatre The new venue includes a refurbished Grade II* listed auditorium London’s newest venue opens this week, with Natalie Palamides: WEER Other highlights of the inaugural programme include new monthly comedy line-up show Neon Nights featuring Thanyia Moore There will be new work from Bryony Kimmings pantomime for all ages (Soho-style) with Aladdin & The Magic Lamp written and directed by Susie McKenna plus shows including Tim Minchin; Dara Ó Briain The new venue is a restored building from the 1890s which was developed in the Thirties as the Granada cinema with exteriors designed by Cecil Masey and ornate interior decoration by Theodore Komisarjevsky inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada The venue will feature a refurbished Grade II* listed auditorium Book tickets to Natalie Palamides: WEER at Soho Theatre Walthamstow in London said: “I’m delighted that Soho Theatre Walthamstow has breathed new life into this historic London venue With a world-class comedy line up alongside a creative programme for the local community the theatre is set to become a huge asset – not just for Walthamstow but London as a whole It’s a fantastic legacy from Waltham Forest’s year as my very first London Borough of Culture and an excellent example of the power of culture to transform areas and inspire communities.” Co-Executive Directors of Soho Theatre Walthamstow Mark Godfrey and Sam Hansford said: “With artists and audiences at its heart and a dynamic social enterprise ethos Soho Theatre Walthamstow will create countless joyful this investment in cultural infrastructure also delivers clear economic value – speaking directly to the wider priorities of culture-led growth and We’re incredibly grateful to the campaigners and to everyone who helped make this vision a reality Design architect Fred Pilbrow (the Founding Partner of Pilbrow & Partners) said: “This beautiful determination and commitment of the amazing local community We were privileged to work on this project from the very beginning to support the team in championing how this unique building could be successfully converted to a live performance venue of national importance backed this vision and as a result the completed Soho Theatre Walthamstow will enrich the culture economy and heritage of the town centre for many years to come.” Soho Theatre Walthamstow is a vibrant new theatre steeped in a rich history in 1930 the site was redeveloped and opened with exteriors designed by Cecil Masey and extraordinary ornate interior decoration by Theodore Komisarjevsky From the mid-1950s artists including The Beatles Duke Ellington and the Rolling Stones performed there and a pantomime was presented each Christmas The last live performance took place in 1973 and the Granada became a cinema changing owners until it became known as the EMD Cinema sadly closing its doors in 2003 In 2003 the building was sold to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God and for more than a decade it lay empty as they sought planning permission to turn it into a church whilst it fell into disrepair Concerned about the loss of this much-loved cultural space local grassroots groups including McGuffin Film Society and Save Walthamstow Cinema led a passionate campaign against losing its use as an entertainment venue and to preserve its heritage In 2010 the Waltham Forest Cinema Trust joined the campaign a newly established local group to bring a clear new vision for the venue’s viable future Joining forces with Waltham Forest Council they successfully demonstrated to a Public Inquiry that the venue could be reinvented as a new theatre for live performance This led to the church’s planning application being decisively rejected for the final time UCKG sold the building on to pub chain Antic in 2014 opening up the magnificent historic foyer to the public for the first time in over 10 years Having continued to develop the vision and detailed plans Soho Theatre reached an agreement with Waltham Forest Council to operate the venue in partnership with Soho Theatre purchased and invested into the restoration of the former Granada Grade II* listed building as part of the council’s London Borough of Culture 2019 legacy commitment They have worked with developers Willmott Dixon Interiors,Bond Bryan Architects Ltd to renovate refurbish and breathe new life into the historic building The Soho Theatre team inputted into operation architecture (with support from Matthew Baker JaneJaney Design) and how to make the venture successful Together creating a major new cultural hub for London at the heart of the local community of Waltham Forest Comments and reviews are subject to our participation guidelines policy, which can be viewed here Our policy is for readers to use their REAL NAMES when commenting Search Filter by Exact matches only Search in title Search in excerpt Search in contentFilter by Categories London Shows - Now Booking London Shows - Coming Soon Sign-up for Offers Shows | Offers | Musicals | News Please note: All tickets are subject to availability. Ticketing powered by members of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers [Read more] Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy Updated 21/4/25 with opening date and more details A few weeks back, we wrote about how Filipino bakery Panadera was being forced to close in Kentish Town Owner and co-founder Florence Mae talked then about "operational challenges" but now it transpires that she has now parted ways from the Maginhawa restaurant group entirely So the Kentish Town cafe has reopened as Filipino/Japanese bakery Café Mama and Sons and Florence is powering ahead with the opening of Panadera in Soho The Soho Panadera will be right in the middle of town (close to The Broadwick) in one of the newer developments that are popping up there It will be larger than the original Kentish Town bakery (and the smaller Panadera in Marylebone) but you can expect the same winning combo of pandesal (Filipino bread rolls) Filipino pastries and excellent sandos to make an appearance here.  the new space has given Florence and her team more opportunity to play around with specials and for the launch you can expect the following:  The bakery/cafe will be open from breakfast through to lunch but there are also plans to open in the evenings for special chef's table dinners Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @panaderabakery_ Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy View on Google maps About us  |  Contact Us  |  RSS Feed  |  Site directory  |  Privacy policy  |  Log in/out Join 50,000 other Londoners getting exclusive news and restaurant offers from Hot Dinners. Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy See our previous newsletters here This is our monthly round-up of the restaurants causing the biggest stir in town - the hottest at this very moment from a slice of NYC in Shoreditch to a little bit of Paris in Marylebone. (If you're looking for classics, see our all-time London's Best Restaurants guide) In a nutshell: A slice of NYC style in London More about One Club Row Read the One Club Row Test Drive If there was a one complaint people had with Claude Bosi’s Lyonnaise bouchon in Chelsea The chef has redressed that with his latest restaurant We popped in for supper after a few days of opening to find the restaurant absolutely wedged with W1 residents jostling for space at the bar and in the dining room But service is slick and friendly and the space is gorgeous Food-wise this leans more towards a Parisian brasserie with a hitlist of French classics including a very good soufflé au Camembert and some excellent terrines More about Josephine If you love inventive seafood in a luxurious setting this is going to tick all the boxes for you More about Tom Brown at the Capital Read the Tom Brown Test Drive In a nutshell: Mediterranean by the museums “It’s the sort of place I often have dreams about living in.” The good news is that the food by former River Cafe chef Yohei Furuhashi more than lives up to the surroundings Think ultra seasonal with a modern European sensibility We were big fans of the gnocchi (which Coren also praises as ‘perfect’) and the lack of interesting new places to eat in this area means it’s bound to do well More about The Lavery Read our Test Drive of the Lavery London’s roster of excellent gastropubs got another addition to its swelling ranks in this Camberwell pub from the team who brought us the critical hit The Baring we found the dining area there already packed for lunch with locals who couldn’t quite believe their luck that this had landed on their doorstep Here it’s Cornish squid & lardo shish with pul biber chilli which should give you an idea of the inventiveness of the offering Literally everything we tried was a banger but if you don’t order pizza dough with tarama or the doughnut More about The Kerfield Arms Read The Kerfield Arms Test Drive which is certainly one of our criteria for a hot restaurant Southern Ukraine provides the culinary inspiration here with a menu that includes mushrooms on a grapevine twig and where the village onion bread comes with lardo and elderberry pickles More about Tatar Bunar London’s food hall scene is booming (as our recently updated guide illustrates) and nowhere has that been more evident than at this brand new food hall just around the corner from Liverpool Street Boxhall City marks a shift in its owner Boxpark’s direction this has them taking over an old shopping arcade in the heart of the City of London Featuring traders you don’t normally find in food halls including Sourdough Sophia and a chef-led restaurant this has paid off with the place doing tremendous business since opening More about Boxhall Marylebone - 22-24 Seymour Place Read our Test Drive of AngloThai King's Cross - St Pancras Renaissance Hotel In a nutshell: SOLA chef takes on a grand dining room The latest big-name chef to take on the glorious restaurant space at The Midland Grand is SOLA chef Victor Garvey This is grand French dining that feels less like a homage to the Ritz Tim Hayward made it his swansong review in his capacity as restaurant critic for the FT saying "Its dining room is a Wonder of the Hospitality World…It feels good to have been there More about Victor Garvey at the Midland Grand Read the Midland Grand Test Drive More about Senza Fondo We like to think we might have had something to do with the hype behind new weekend supperclub restaurant Bone in Shoreditch (as we’re the only people to have written about it) Such is the buzz about the intimate 25-seater that it’s now booked up until September The menu changes monthly and if you do manage to get a booking you can expect a set menu that includes delights such as chicken nuggets with caviar and Chick-fil-A sauce or a show-cooked short rib with Cafe de Paris sauce More about Bône In a nutshell: Wine bar with a Spanish residency We’re always keeping an eye out for whatever chef Josh Dalloway is up to as he’s been involved in a load of interesting popups all over London. Right now, he’s cooking as part of Tasca, the food residency at new Shoreditch bar Cav, where the menu mixes up Spanish and Portuguese influences. Standard critic David Ellis is an early fan praising “the beautiful food and fair prices” Their pork and prawn cachorrinho sandwich certainly deserves to be tried More about Cav Read our Tasca Test Drive Londoners do love a single-dish restaurant it’s a lot easier when the menu has been tightened right down it’s all about their hype brioche sandwiches which are made to order for you This has been all over our FYP in recent weeks Eating with Tod may not have graced it with his presence at the time of writing (he loved their stall in Spitalfields) it looks as though the patty melts are the current hot ticket item here More about Crunch immediately became one of those hard-to-book restaurants the same team were presumably hoping for similar success from their next place They’ll be buoyed then by the immediate buzz that this subterranean Mediterranean-focused Marylebone opening (which was once the original Pachamama) has managed to get on social We popped in for dinner the other week to find the place heaving (in the best possible way) Go for crudo and ‘tini cocktails; this is a place to dress up for More about Nina Read the Nina Test Drive If anyone knows something about opening a new restaurant with a bit of a bang, it'll be Gordon. He's managed to get everyone talking about his new restaurants, the highest in London apparently, and has even been touting them on talk shows thanks to a few purloined cats A starry opening party was next and although it looks like Lucky Cat is the big it's the (pictured) second coming of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay as "High" which is the really hot table to try and get a booking for (if you have a spare £250) More about Ramsay at 22 Bishopsgate In a nutshell: Pub with upscale Basque menu More about The Prince Arthur Read our Test Drive of The Prince Arthur While the look of the restaurant itself hasn't changed the new approach has brought more life and renewed interest into what has always been a great Notting Hill place Boxer has shown how a smart reinvention can be the way to keep in the game More about Dove Read our Test Drive of Dove Notting Hill - 301 Portobello Road In a nutshell: The Pelican do an Italian café In a nutshell: Beautiful Belgravia restaurant and wine bar saying "this is the generation of chefs we have to be hopeful for More about Wildflowers Read our Test Drive of Wildflowers soulful cooking the platform it deserves." More about Miga And there are a few more restaurants creating buzz recently that we think are worth keeping an eye on.. Bubala (King's Cross) - The vegetarian take on Middle Eastern cuisine is likely to be a big hit in it's beautiful new King's Cross location Bianca's (Stoke Newington) - The chef behind Casa Fofo's more casual restaurant and wine bar 27 Old Compton Street (Soho) - The man behind 40 Dean Street has opened up a new fresh pasta bar in Soho These are the London restaurants that have been open for a while but are still hotter than ever.  OMA and Agora (Borough Market) - the Greek-inspired duo from David Carter continues to be one of the biggest draws in the area.  The Devonshire (Soho) - Both the pub downstairs and the grill restaurant remain It's also still a great place for celeb spotting.  The Dover (Mayfair) - Martin Kuczmarski's restaurant has a real understated Mayfair glamour and is a great place for star spotting It's also one of the best bars in the area with an excellent cocktail list.  Mountain (Soho) - Tomos Parry's Soho restaurant is still hard to get into but worth it for that spider crab omelette Bouchon Racine (Farringdon) - The return of Henry Harris remains one of London's best restaurants for many the food in the pub downstairs is well worth a look.  A recent visit confirmed it's still operating at the highest level Arlington (St James) - Jeremy King's revival of the original Le Caprice remains a solid hit It's one of the best and buzziest restaurants in St James.  Crisp Pizza (Hammersmith) - Alley Cats may get the press but this pizzeria is still the best for many There's still a wait for pizzas at the weekend particularly Here's how the Hot Dinners "Where's Hot" restaurants are spread across town Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners Please enable the javascript to submit this form By signing up you agree to our privacy policy Westminster City Council has opened a new housing estate office on Broadwick Street in Soho.   residents joined the Leader of Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Housing Services to mark the opening of the office.   This is the fourth location to open in the past 18 months following the opening of housing centres in Queens Park Pimlico and Bayswater that the council committed to.  The Soho Housing Centre will make it easier for residents to receive advice on specific issues give feedback directly to staff and understand what support services are available to them.  "Today has marked a new beginning for us where everything is going to be on the doorstep for us It has really made us as residents feel like we matter I’m sure we’ll be in their office all the time bugging them." Cabinet Member for Housing Services at Westminster City Council “I am delighted to be able to mark the opening of this office for Soho residents This office is the eighth now established in the borough and allows us to bring our services closer to residents – something residents have repeatedly asked for.”   The council’s Fairer Westminster Delivery Plan commits to giving tenants better face-to-face contact with housing staff by increasing the locations officers can work from across the city.  Find out more about housing centre opening times.   Major London comedy venue opening this week Here are the first images from inside the new Soho Theatre Walthamstow, which opens on Friday with a run of Natalie Palamides’ show Weer The 960-seat venue has been restored from the former 1930s  Granada cinema and includes a Grade II* listed auditorium London mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘I’m delighted that Soho Theatre Walthamstow has breathed new life into this historic London venue.  ‘With a world-class comedy line up alongside a creative programme for the local community the theatre is set to become a huge asset - not just for Walthamstow but London as a whole.’ Design architect Fred Pilbrow added: ‘This beautiful 'We were privileged to work on this project from the very beginning to support the team in championing how this unique building could be successfully converted to a live performance venue of national importance.’ The site has hosted a performance venue since 1897 and in 1930 the site was redeveloped as the Granada – inspired by the Alhambra Palace in  Spain – and  hosted comedy and a pantomime was presented each Christmas.   changing owners until it became known as the EMD Cinema closing its doors in 2003.  In 2003 the building was sold to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God and for more than a decade it lay empty as they sought planning permission to turn it into a church while it fell into disrepair.   It was saved by grassroots groups including McGuffin Film Society and Save Walthamstow Cinema – and eventually Soho Theatre and Waltham Forest Council agreed on the restoration plan which led to the church’s planning application being decisively rejected for the final time.  All photos on this page were taken by David Leven Gig of the day Paul Chowdhry: EnglandiaLeicester De Montfort Hall from 19:30 Coming Soon Michelle De Swarte: The AftersLiverpool Royal Court TheatreFriday 19th Sep Chortle had 173,000 unique visitors in April 2025 We are currently listing 20,981 upcoming comedy events Website and all original content copyright © Chortle 2000 - 2025 Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you so we would ask that you disable it for this site The notion of “quiet nights” goes against its very soul Going Out | Restaurants Listen here on your chosen podcast platform. the reduced room rate at my Dean Street club felt worthwhile on occasional week nights Even in the midst of Soho’s busy and chaotic streets I’d put in silicone earplugs and there we have it I find it hard to believe that’s become impossible in 2025 Because we are again witnessing residents’ complaints which represents the district’s circa 2,000 residents is again lambasting the noise and supposed dereliction of the streets they live on as if Soho were not Soho but some kind of leafy suburb in Zone 4 There have been numerous battles between locals and business owners one of the more high profile involved Trisha’s the basement bar on Greek Street trading for more than 80 years the society launched a legal fight against plans for a new gin distillery and shop in Meard Street Members appealed against “procedural unfairness” and wanted amendments to three licensing conditions We are seeing fewer than 2,000 people — a miniscule figure, especially if one considers that 30,000 used to live in Soho just after the Second World War — attempting to decide the fate of millions, railing against conviviality, joy, camaraderie and romance So many Londoners are already priced out of living in London’s town centre Are they not even allowed to visit any more Most recently there has been Westminster City Council’s proposal of “quiet nights” for pubs clubs and bars to help curb resident complaints The new “After Dark” strategy comes amid concerns the capital’s nightlife is being crushed by bureaucracy and spiralling costs In turn the draft policy aims to “champion sensory-friendly and inclusive entertainment” dim lighting and implement designated calm zones Some of this sounds fine — so too calls for increased CCTV But it is a policing of fun in the places where fun is supposed to happen The list of famous names associated with Soho is endless: Oscar Wilde pies to be baked; witness singer Bryony Purdue at the Coach and Horses before a chorus somewhere else The French House is full of people with stories Perhaps residents are within their rights to complain Soho has been a focal point of London’s entertainment industry since the 19th century and existed long before they moved in The fact the average house price in the postcode is more than £1.6 million shouldn’t matter I’m just saying they have options: it is not as though they couldn’t afford to buy elsewhere it’s a little ironic that what must have drawn people to move to Soho in the first place — the art the life — is now what they seem so desperate to fold away Businesses in one of the world’s most famous party locales should be able to make money with equal rigour London’s nightlife suffers enough and it’s embarrassing to see Soho diluted when you consider New York At the same time, businesses are facing rising rents and staffing costs, ever more restrictions and rising food prices, not to mention a coming Budget nightmare owing to an increase in employer National Insurance Contributions It looks set to wreak havoc on hospitality after years of Brexit and pandemic-induced unease Imagine Berliners trying to see Berghain have its hours cut Imagine Las Vegas residents muttering about the lights being too bright Consider the specificity of the 11pm curfew The Met is attempting to enforce this on a hot New York jazz club — the Blue Note arguably the most famous of its kind in the world — which is planning to launch in the centre of town It appears to be the case that authorities in town are seeking to dampen evening trade to shut down early where our capital city should be less conservative The Met said there are fears “vulnerable” club-goers could become victims of crime Officers told Westminster City Council at a hearing last week that it believed the late hours would “expose more people to crime and disorder in the immediate area” They said jazz fans “leaving the venue late at night” may become a target for illegal taxis Ronnie Scott’s has traded for 50 years at its current Frith Street home and seems to do just fine But should people not be allowed to make their own decisions the question has to be asked: who really is to blame Isn’t stopping crime the job of the police “London’s cultural fabric is on the line here,” said a spokesman for Blue Note “Grassroot music venue infrastructure will fall even further and remain below replacement rate if new venues like this application are not supported.” Court battles are looming over late-night opening hours in the West End We musn’t sleepwalk into letting all that jazz fade without so much as a whisper Rachel Reeves is about to kill off the night out Walking into this crowded and clattering restaurant for the first time in more than 30 years two things strike me almost immediately: 1) it seems to be largely unchanged and 2) the prices have scarcely risen I can’t claim to have tried every wine list in Soho but I can tell you with certainty that this is the first time in a very long time that I have seen a glass of wine for under £5 in the West End here it starts at £4.50 – with cocktails from £8.The restaurant is Pollo or La Porchetta Pollo Bar as the sign outside calls it It crams 100 covers on to two floors at the eastern end of Old Compton Street Already a subscriber? Log in John Sturgis is a freelance journalist who has worked across Fleet Street for almost 30 years as both reporter and news editor Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3 Already a subscriber? Log in It's been a while since we've had a mad pop-up in Soho for reasons which we can't quite put together they've decided to celebrate it with a Blockbuster store on Greek Street.  Apparently (in a recent survey) Blockbuster was recently voted one of the top five missed stores on the high street  - clearly by people who don't remember going in on a Friday night and only the very dregs of home entertainment being left on the shelves it's all for KikKat's new bars (and "relaxing together in the evening") so there will be both free chocolate and a video download available in the store Rather than being told "I'm sorry the last copy of that has just gone" you'll be given a streaming code and one of the new KitKat sharing bars (which is what this promotion is all about) if you're in Soho early April and wondering why on earth there's a queue outside a Blockbuster store - this is why.   View on Google maps As longstanding Hot Dinners readers should know So we're very interested in combo wine bar and French restaurant Marjorie's which is opening in Soho soon It comes from a duo that are new to hospitality Michael Searle & Josh Anderson but who have brought in someone very interesting on the food side Open for lunch and dinner every day of the week we're told to expect a modern take on French cuisine "still respecting classic technique" and using both British and French ingredients and they're working with La Fromagerie on that featuring contemporary and small-batch producers from across the country The menu will be concise and changing seasonally so it should be fairly accessible with regularly changing wines by the glass It's a relatively compact space split across two levels (ground-floor and basement taking over what used to be Kua 'Aina poke) and fitting in just under 50 seats Expect lots of dark panelling in the downstairs room "We've always been completely inspired by the ‘bar à vins’ of Paris' outer arrondissements where young Parisian chefs and restaurateurs work hard to show a contemporary edge to French cuisine.. There's an edge to this certain style of wine bar that offers food and wine of exceptional quality in a totally laid back almost saying that top-quality food and wine should be a given." that's in memory of Michael's late grandmother and "self-certified Francophile" We imagine she'd be pretty happy to have this very promising new addition to Soho named after her Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @marjories.london View on Google maps In what looks to be a rather clean and classy Eurovision affair L’ETO’s Soho branch is hosting a grand finale screening with themed cocktails and canapes inspired by the participating countries Josh Kaplan 1 min readThere are certain pockets of London in which I feel at home. One is my flat, another is the queue for Beigel Bake at 3am on a Friday night, another is when I speak to the Israeli guy in the farmers market near my house who makes falafel (@falafelerez These places are familiar and comforting because they allow me to relax by the charismatic whirlwind of a chef that is Eyal Shani is another one of these places it feels like stepping into a cozy spot in Tel Aviv just off Rothschild like all the best Israeli places is casual You’re encouraged to help yourself to the mounds of pillowy pitta bread and tahina the sound of the kitchen are amplified to give the feeling you’re sitting in a market in Israel Take as many delicious things as you can find It’s a formula that has worked well for Shani who has taken the Miznon brand all over the world A map in the back of the soho location shows Miznons in Australia vinegary masterpiece is more Bat Yam than Blackpool He also has maybe the most refined kebab in Soho again wrapped in the best pitta in central London and washed down with an assortment of Israeli-inspired cocktails (most of which contain Arak.) But Miznon is about more than just the food or the (very good) vibes who was serving in the IDF until recently and left Israel just before October 7 She instantly bonded with the Israeli waitress and chef all of whom engaged in a cathartic venting that diaspora Israelis will know only too well all five minutes away from the scenes of protests that have marred London’s streets for the best part of a year Miznon is an Oasis for Israelis, but it’s also a great place to eat. It does simple food well. For a reasonable price, in a way that makes you keep coming back. For anyone that has ever been to Israel, it feels like the best of the Jewish state. And it’s right in Soho. Instagram: MiznonLondon Eyal Shani Israeli restaurant Central London A surreal and singular creative triumph that develops slowly, gripping you with its macabre approach and witty humour, and culminates in a poignant ending that sticks. Structurally, with its episodic nature, the show is faultlessly slick. Details woven throughout, and appearing in the heart-wrenching finale, create a touching end to a beautifully crafted work. The infusion of folk music, a genre that commonly explores death, life, loss and love, works beautifully with Biscuit and Mothersole’s powerful examination of their experience of grief. The magic of this show comes from the duo’s undeniably strong chemistry. They are co-performers, writers and producers, but clearly also close friends. All of their jokes land and it can be felt, in Soho Theatre’s downstairs venue, that Biscuit and Mothersole have the audience in the palm of their hands. I am now a Sh!t Theatre fan, and I cannot wait to see what they do next. Performed and created by: Louise Mothersole and Rebecca BiscuitDramaturg by: Ursula MartinezLighting by: Josephine Tremelling Sh!t Theatre: Or What’s Left Of Us plays at Soho Theatre until Saturday 1 March. Fawn’s promotion will make her one of the most powerful women in British business, given the extent of Soho Estates: spanning 60 acres, it encompasses hundreds of offices, shops and bars, including Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, Kettner’s restaurant and hotel, and the original Soho House on Greek Street. The company has been run by her adoptive father, John James, since Raymond’s death in 2008, but she will take the reins from next month. Princess Lilian of Sweden: The British model who waited 30 years to marry her Prince CharmingBy TatlerRead MoreFawn and her sister India who together have a net worth of £750 million according to The Sunday Times Rich List The Princess Royal is no stranger to the royal re-wear, and her choice of brooch at Commonwealth Day celebrations made for a poignant nod to her mother, Queen Elizabeth Her father added that he was ‘incredibly proud to pass the baton to Fawn,’ saying: ‘This is a natural handover for us. Fawn has shown herself to be a smart businesswoman with a strong vision for the future of Soho Estates. I will be remaining on the board as a non-executive director to offer my counsel and continue to help steer the company.’ Paul Raymond, pictured in 1961, made millions from the porn industry and buying up property in Soho She grew up in London while her father served as Governor of the Bank of England, and now she's following in his footsteps at Harvard – could First Daughter of Canada Cleo Carney be a political powerhouse in the making? Paul Raymond with his favourite daughter, Debbie – who went on to die of a heroin overdose – in 1974 The youngest York sister posted a touching dedication to her mother and sister in honour of International Women's Day, with an adorable photograph of her son Indy Nile (where Cleopatra lives): transgender DILF clown scooters (literally) into the Soho theatre upstairs space (avoiding the many stairs) for one night of introspective drag It is commonly said that writers only write about themselves One-person shows can easily and sometimes midway flip between poignantly extolling the universality of human experience and a giant self-congratulatory…handshake Gabriel Harris’s Brighton fringe-nominated show is somewhere in between There is a lot of talent and thought here for sure; welcoming us to Indy’s gender reveal party and speaking candidly and creatively about undergoing a second puberty giving us the audience all the intimate details of being transgender that you would be too polite to ask at a party plastic penises and a clear understanding of comedy Audience participation throughout is spirited and spirit-led as this evening in the rafters could be sponsored by vodka tonics Whispering “semi-skimmed milk” at the top of our voices to punctuate a piece of Harris’s pre-transition lesbian love poetry Riotous whooping of the audience descending into painful mummers of recognition and understanding morphs the event into a sort of group therapy with more smut and giggles However reliance on the 2004 film The Thunderbirds (don’t ask how I don’t have the word limit) and the corresponding Southend-on-Sea pop-punk band Busted (remember them?) age and limit the show To understand a good chunk of the comedy you have to be over 25 at least and aware of a band that never really made it out of the UK Many more jokes although technically effective on paper fail to land the delivery At points the dreaded question of any solo show floats up in our minds “Why should we care?” if only fleetingly progression and worth is explored with energy and vim At its height we have a personal journey that will moisten anyone’s eye that has felt outside and othered and a learning experience for those that haven’t and that’s “What I Go to School For” (it’s a Busted song He/He/He played for one night only at Soho Theatre This quote from Milton’s Paradise Lost seems apt when thinking about the prevalence of mental health issues in current new writing for British stages Perhaps this subject reflects the long shadow of the pandemic or our greater sensitivity to such conditions Either way, playwright and actor Naomi Denny’s new play, All the Happy Things, which was nominated for Soho Theatre’s Tony Craze Award in 2020 and now has a production in this venue’s studio space speaks sincerely about death and grief with a real sense of emotional truth with its young writer part of the cast.  Sienna (Denny) is a highly motivated professional in her mid-20s who lost her older sister Emily in a road accident about a year ago is shown by the fact that Emily is still present in her sister’s mind In a way that reminds me of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit Sienna is the only one able to see and talk to Emily which results in some comic moments as her boyfriend Sam wonders who on earth she’s chatting with But can Sienna in some way begin to become less dependent on her sister All the Happy Things is written with great tenderness and emotional intelligence argue and swap recriminations in a way that is instantly recognizable there is also a warmly idealistic side to the writing At various points in this short 70-minute play But if this story has very little drama in its plotting it does explore the feelings of the characters with enormous empathy As well as showing the depth of Sienna’s feelings for her dead sister the play also focuses on her work-related stress as her boss Kevin asks her to do more and more things who lives in a home and needs more and more care because of his increasing dementia There is also a lovely scene in which Sienna meets Ruby and as they both talk there is a fleeting connection as well as a mild tension All these episodes are punctuated by snatches of phone conversations which fill out the picture of this family’s life Denny includes the kind of everyday incidents that make grief a constant presence in the lives of the bereaved or a playlist which has been lost but needs Strong memories include the sisters dancing and singing to “No Scrubs” by TLC typically each powerfully emotional moment has a humorous side to it Director Lucy Jane Atkinson gives the production a quiet grounded stillness which is enlivened by movement director Yemurai Zvayara’s light swaying and dance moves Denny’s Sienna is a well-organised individual whose life is fracturing around the edges while by contrast LJ Johnson’s Emily is sarcastic funny and often as light and as mischievous as any spirit would be and there’s a real sense that they are siblings Eamonn O’Dwyer’s soundscape adds to the atmosphere of this promising playwright’s deeply felt work @AleksSierz More information about text formats We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com For unlimited access to every article in its entirety including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year To take a subscription now simply click here. And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday Simply enter your email address in the box below View previous newsletters The Sunday TimesI was in New York recently and my hotel wangled me a ticket to the sell-out production of Vanya starring Andrew Scott Later that night at the hotel’s rooftop bar I spotted Fleabag’s hot priest himself as well as that high priestess of cool I’d either died and gone to celebrity heaven or I was at Soho House New York where such starry sightings confirmed that the allure of this collection of private members’ clubs-cum-hotels shows no signs of fading The group now has 45 Houses worldwide (25 of which also have bedrooms) eight more in the works (including Manchester and a record 112,000 hopefuls on waiting lists If you’re intrigued by this private party world Leonardo DiCaprio and the like let their hair down we mere mortals can sneak beyond the red rope too New York is one of the 25 Houses with bedrooms that the public can book by acquiring a 12-month A room key grants temporary access to those A-list club floors when he launched the prototype at 40 Greek Street having sounded out friends during a hard-hat tour at which he served cocktails from cement mixers It was a typically Withnailian touch that suited Jones’s rule-breaking approach as well as the address’s louche reputation Not only was this enclave of the West End still infamous at the time as the capital’s red-light district strip clubs and seedy bars on every street corner in the past Lord Nelson’s lover Lady Hamilton lived at No 40 and in 1906 a Metropolitan police officer had labelled Greek Street a place where “crowds of people gather nightly who are little else than a pest” The entrance to the original Soho House in London’s Greek StreetOne man’s pest is another’s esteemed guest and Soho House members immediately lived down to the street’s shady antecedents The shenanigans — from the early days of drunken misbehaviour at Babington House in Somerset when the actor Matt Smith obtained a scar on his chin from falling up the stairs after one late-night session — to the “enthusiastic” celebrations at this year’s Oscars afterparty at Soho House West Hollywood (when the cast and crew of Anora celebrated their surprise best picture win) have kept newspaper headline writers in moral outrage and Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells on beta blockers ever since • 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK for 2025 life is less about wild nights out and more about rewilding outdoors while the group was averaging only one new House a year pre-Covid Not that I’m suggesting the south London suburb lacks the trendiness of a classic Soho House location but can the group retain its aura of exclusivity and much envied edginess amid an altered social landscape and rapid expansion Soho House’s rapid post-Covid expansion has included a Stockholm branchDANA OZOLLAPAThe task falls to Andrew Carnie to whom Jones handed the CEO mantel in 2022 although Jones remains as a director of the board Carnie’s vision to keep the group at the top of its game may have been influenced by his personal interests: he is more exercise beast than party animal He has trekked 600 miles to the South Pole unsupported and is an ultramarathon fan who gets up at 4am at weekends to clock up the necessary training miles before cooking Sunday roast for his doctor wife and three daughters • Read our full guide to the best hotels in the world wellness will be a central focus going forward “We’re increasing gym classes and tech such as hyperbaric chambers We’ve rolled out IV drips and vitamin shots and are refreshing Soho Farmhouse to add a longevity studio,” Carnie explains The 47 rooms at Soho House Nashville are influenced by the building’s industrial historyPATRICK BILLERNew Houses are also ditching bars for spas so this summer’s high-profile European opening OGs (the original gangsters as the early members are affectionately known as) may need smelling salts or a stiff brandy for the next revelation: Soho House has gone big across the board on non-alcoholic drinks though Carnie insisted members still know how to party A less controversial difference is the continuing improvement in service which pokes fun at the group and has 136,000 followers hasn’t poked fun at the waiting teams for months and surly staff and life-sapping waits are rare these days Instead you’re more likely to hear witty one-liners from staff such as my favourite from Desiree at Dumbo House New York Having shown me the sexy cabanas around the outdoor pool I (in a coat) suggested to Desiree (in a T-shirt) we head indoors because she had goosebumps was the third Soho House outpost in New York CityThe New York house in a characterful old warehouse in the Meatpacking District sparkling chandeliers you could swing from eye-catching work by artists including Tracey Emin and the like and a wraparound bar that buzzes all day from the light and loft-like Cosys to the mid-century Classics with extravagant beds freestanding baths and views over 9th Avenue — all feature furniture from the Soho Home brand • 19 of the best hotels in New York And given hoteliers must say the words “experiential” and “community” every two minutes these days or risk the sack Carnie emphasised that both attributes have been longtime strengths of Soho House The group goes to extraordinary lengths to cultivate an interesting mix of ages and interests in each neighbourhood the membership team first began courting the city’s creatives in 2017 “We have already spent two and a half years building a community and we don’t launch in Tokyo until next March,” Carnie says “We’ve spent time getting an amazing committee together people like the CEO of Apple Music in Japan They help define what should be in the House and then it becomes a magical Soho House Nashville spent five years courting members before it openedEMILY DORIOCarnie has also turbocharged the events schedules with experiences such as Q&A sessions with everyone from Ariana Grande and Dionne Warwick and there’s always a chance Pete Tong might be doing a DJ set while you’re in-house But if you’ve sneaked into the club via a room reservation the real joy of Soho House is less glitzy but no less memorable The clubby ambience encourages that holy grail of travel convivial conversation between strangers at the bar Even if the drink is as likely to be non-alcoholic these days Susan d’Arcy was a guest of Soho House New York which has room-only doubles from £525 (sohohouse.com) A bathroom with a view at Babington House in Somerset which opened in 1998TINA HILLIER1995First Soho House opens on Greek Street 1998The brand’s first hotel rooms and spa open at Babington House in Somerset 2003Soho House New York opens despite not being fully completed — rain falls through the unfinished roof onto guests dining at the launch party below 2003The New York outpost features on Sex and the City after Samantha talks her way in using another member’s name 2015A former staff member claims that Kim Kardashian was rejected (several times) for membership of the West Hollywood branch on Sunset Boulevard It is rumoured that the DJ Nick Grimshaw’s mini bar needed refilling after seven minutes 2016Prince Harry has his first date with Meghan Markle at the 76 Dean Street hotel in London He is 30 minutes late; it doesn’t put her off with the founder Nick Jones demonstrating that karaoke is not his strong point InspirationMore from InspirationThis is the easiest way to see the islands of the southern HebridesMay 04 2025 a failsafe way to find things to do in an area otherwise unfamiliar to us It led to the discovery of many Medieval battle sites and factories for increasingly niche products Sophie KnightIf you are a tourist excited for their first trip to Soho The first item on 'The 10 Best Things to Do in Soho' list It’s an entity unto itself and can be found in equivalent cities worldwide in some form or another Quo VadisSophie KnightQuo VadisSophie KnightI visited this London neighbourhood for the first time when I was 14 which was *checks calendar with a grimace* 13 years ago I was in London for the second time in my life for a YouTuber convention (don’t ask) My friend and I had just spent a good two hours in Big Topshop on Oxford Circus flipping our way through shirts with Peter Pan collars marvelling at the fact that they had a DJ at the top of the escalator SwiftSophie KnightAfterwards, we made our way through Soho. It was early afternoon, so the revelry was confined to hen-dos moving from A to B and people far older than us hanging out outside pubs. I was too young, too poor and too early in the day to witness Soho’s brilliant nightlife, cocktail bars or Queer spaces – that came later Hannah CrosbieSophie KnightI assumed at the time some places exist seemingly solely to offer dinner before a West End show Quo VadisSophie KnightThere is increased excitement around the ‘old man boozer’ – a traditional pub space that has fallen into favour with the younger generations and a cursory glance on Zoopla explains why The top result is £6.9k a month for a two-bed flat The cheapest is a studio for £1.9k a month people forget that people do actually live there It’s particularly popular among the Arc’teryx-wearing Sophie KnightTheir popularity comes at an important time: new predictions released by CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale) show that more than 1,000 pubs will likely shut this year warning that pubs everywhere could be in jeopardy without meaningful government action All Bar One can wait for the work Christmas dos which is a bit more bistro-coded with a more traditional leaning wine list Sitting outside at these places is always cute I've witnessed more than one bag grab sending glasses of wine flying and ashtrays emptied onto the floor which is so close to Tottenham Court Road that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was eternally rammed and totally unenjoyable lots of fun and incredibly well-stocked with hundreds of whiskies available to taste There are so many good places to drink in Soho and many unique places with incredible historic value that have closed their doors for good ex-Soho resident Yasmine El Ghamrawy remarked on how it had changed after just seven years out of the country “I couldn’t find my way around [anymore] and I knew Soho like the back of my hand.” There is also a growing concern amongst locals that big chains are taking over the area that these businesses want to use the history and unique character of the area “for profit” Receive our review of the hottest new restaurant in London every week It's not all croissants and steak frites – from falafel to fine dining, these are the best restaurants in Paris right now Discover The World’s 50 Best Bars The most delicious cities in the world The true story behind the burnt Basque cheesecake Read one of the UK’s favourite restaurant critics Enjoy wine expert Jancis Robinson’s peerless column of news Enjoy Alice's popular HTSI column about drinks and bar culture Learn what's new and trending according to our our award-winning HTSI food columnist Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times For advertising, partnerships and venue hire visit www.outernet.com/b2b Bar Italia the most iconic coffee bar in the world has partnered with Outernet to open a second Bar Italia on Thursday 9th January This is the first time since it welcomed customers through the doors in 1949 that Bar Italia has had another site and comes as the revered coffee bar celebrates its 75th birthday Bar Italia has been run by the Polledri family for 75 years and is renowned for offering hospitality almost 24 hours a day The cafe has won many prestigious awards including "The Best Coffee Bar in London" multiple times and was recently recognized as one of the best global coffee bars Bar Italia has been run by the Polledri family for 75 years Bar Italia is a place that people from all walks of life can relax hide away or enjoy their night into the early hours this fiercely independent Soho stalwart owned and run by the founder’s family will join forces with Outernet Soho’s newest and thoroughly modern arrival Since launching two years ago Outernet has become the UK’s most visited cultural attraction as visitors enjoy arts and entertainment on the immense immersive screens - all for free Bar Italia was opened in 1949 by Lou and Caterina Polledri With just a few modernisations over 75 years the Polledri family has been careful to maintain the original bar’s details with many parts remaining from 1949 It has counted celebrities as customers across the decades including David Bowie Al Pacino and Harry Styles.Philip O’Ferrall CEO Outernet said: “This is new Soho coming together with classic Soho and proving that the two can combine to create something very special with real soul Both Outernet and Bar Italia are completely unique and so this is a natural partnership I couldn’t be happier that Outernet will be the home of a new Bar Italia spot for the first time ever.” “The original iconic Bar Italia is thrilled to announce our opening at Outernet We are excited to collaborate with such a legendary space bringing our rich heritage and passion for quality to this vibrant and dynamic location This marks the perfect union of the original 1949 café with the world’s most modern and advanced tech building – a blend of timeless tradition and cutting-edge innovation.”