Soho epitomizes everything that is touristy naughty and nice London. It has great shopping, bars & restaurants; it is the gay capital of London and attracts the wealthy, the arty, the media, the prostitutes and the poor. It's a little rough around the edges, home to many an adult shop but is also one of the most sought after residential and business addresses in London.
This lively hood is located in the West End and is within the boundaries of Oxford Street to the north, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square to the south, Regent Street is on the west and Charing Cross Road on the east.
Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square underground stations are all within the district of Soho.
The influx of refugees to the area during the 18th and 19th centuries explains Soho's cosmopolitan reputation. From Greek Street to Chinatown, the area is full of culture. This is what attracted the many artists, writers, radicals, musicians and intellects of the time to the district. By the latter half of the 20th century, Soho had developed into the city's media mecca as film & television production and post-production companies moved in. It's the perfect location for this industry as anyone that knows anyone is walking the pavements of Soho.
The adult industry is also rife in Soho. Some would say its part of the charm, and, since a police crackdown in 1991, it is probably true. The red light trade is limited now to adult shops.
The famous gay pub the Admiral Duncan is on London's best known gay strip, Old Compton Street. The Admiral Duncan was nail-bombed on 30th April 1999 by the neo-Nazi David Copeland, killing 3 people and injuring at least 30 others. But the pub has been back on its feet for some time now and is fantastic for a pint or five.
The French House on Dean Street, made famous for being the watering hole for the French Resistance during WWII, has a great atmosphere. Alphabet on Beak Street is said to be the best bar in Soho with great drinks, fab music and no door policy. Revolution on St. Anne's Court is all about the vodka; Two Floors on Kingly Street is one of Soho's oldest bars and a definite ´must pop in to´ and Yo! Below is on Poland Street with singing waiters and beer taps on tables - fun! And there are, of course, many world-class restaurants in Soho; something for everyone's palate and budget. Soho is also home to some great little jazz clubs with Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club first opening on Gerrard Street before moving in 1965 to its current location on Frith Street.
London's Chinatown is on and around Gerrard Street and there are many tasty, and not so tasty, eateries to dine in. Chinatown is always great for strolling around, checking out the Chinese grocery stores and the festivals thrown throughout the year are always spectacular, especially Chinese New Year.
And now for some shopping! There are some excellent record stores around Berwick Street such as Blackmarket Records and Vinyl Junkies. Wardour Street is probably the busiest strip, along with Dean Street, Frith Street and Greek Street. Not forgetting the very unique Carnaby Street is also one of the most popular shopping haunts.
Soho is about as close as you get to 24 hour frivolity. And being next door to London's Covent Garden, there really is no excuse for not having a good time.
Hotels near to Soho include the fabulous Courthouse Hotel Kempinski on Great Marlborough Street in the north of Soho and close to Bond Street and Regent Street. There are actually hundreds of hotels surrounding Soho and its easy to access from Mayfair, Covent Garden and Park Lane.
|
Search London