Image 1. Artwork in Soho
In the heart of Soho, we can see that Pride runs twenty-four seven. This is limited to the few streets such as Old Compton Street; Wardour Street; Winnett Street which is close to each other making it into a compact prideful community square. Here you can find restaurants, clubs and pubs and shops. The bars here contribute to a fantastic evening and night out as lots of venues will have talented drag queens and (now and again drag kings), quizzes, karaoke, food, cocktails, cabarate, live music and late-night discos - the list can go on and on.
Image 2. Old Compton Street
Image 3. Admiral Duncan
There is Admiral Duncan: A thin but long bar with history as it was a part string of grotesque terror attacks on minority groups in 1999. It was a horrible series of attacks which did not deter Admiral Duncan, the LGBT+ community and patrons and together continued to help Soho thrive. This venue does have karaoke on Mondays and live drag performances like cabaret during the weekend and weekdays. A similar theme Rupert Street, is a tasty cocktail venue and has great deals, hires drag queens for entertainment events and supports the LGBT+ magazines. Which you can pick up free of charge and it always has a great advertisement signpost you to upcoming events and where to find them. Alternatively, if you just want a chilled out evening with little to no performances Little Ku, which is not to be confused with their larger award-winning sister bar KU Bar which is a cute little venue in which I enjoy spending my time here offers this. Lastly, there is a designated bar for women called She Soho which offers similar events but more focus on drag kings! Most of the venues have a designated smoking area and a few have outdoor seating!
Soho is not all about drinks, Poppies is a perfect place to get your fish ‘n’ chips if you are feeling some traditional; did I say traditional? Try Sunday Roast at “Old Compton brassieres” but don’t be confused with the bar “Comptons.” It literately has the largest pizzas I’ve seen and neat vegan burgers - come sea-some other food they have here! Take a walk through these streets and you will find a lot, probably what you are looking for can be found in Soho!
Okay… so 56 dean street is an important sexual health clinic. It has been clinical in London queer history - and it still today is an important part where services provide are understandable and knowledgeable to gay sexual health like other facilities lack. Honestly, if this is fitting or not isn’t important - sexual health is a vital part so remember to get tested for STIs and HIV!
Image 4. 56 Dean Street
Soho Square
It is just a cute square where the sun hits it and it has a few different things around like newly after COVID-19 lockdown it and it is so cute as the honours the LGBTQ+ community with a specially designed art piece.
General information: The park opens up at 8 am on weekdays - Monday to Saturday; Sundays and holidays and 9 am and its closing times during summertime change but are generally around 8 pm to 9 pm. After summer times expect earlier closing times. There is also the cute little hut which has a Tutor-type architecture style a British style around the years late 1400 to early 1600. Besides all that you will find a lot of benches, open space to sit and even two ping pong tables so do pack your lunch and a cuppa to breathe in the atmosphere.
Image 5. Soho square
It should definetly be mentioned that between Carnaby Street and Soho you should walk there as on your route you will pass high-end designers and restaurants, local and independently owned coffee shops and outdoor food, and vendors. However you will need to travel within Soho so whilst Walking through Regent Street or Oxford Street might sound tempting, take the alternative path and explore more of Soho.
Carnaby Street
Is this hip and trendy shopping quarter that has a lot of focus on shoes, clothing and make-up. Carnaby Street has larger international brands such as NBA Store, MUJI and Happy socks but it is not limited as it has UK owned brands like NICCE and New Era. It has a broad variety of trendy shops. Even it has make-up for men (and women) which is a new and interesting idea so have a lookout for War Paint. There are always benches to sit and enjoy your meal and drink which you bring from their outdoor food court Kingly Court or have a meal at a restaurant nearby. With Carnaby Street, it is possible to tell that Soho used to be one of the fashionable districts for the aristocracy as it is so vibrant here.
Image 6. You know you’re in the right spot when you see this haha!
So far Soho has so many different atmospheres in what is not actually that big of an area, however, there is more. There are a few different theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue with Apollo Theatre and Sondheim Theatre that plays ‘Les Mis’ and but there are also theatres such as Soho theatre closer to Soho Gardens and Prince Edwards theatre. At this point, Soho is a cultural and community-based area which thrives through the days and is worth visiting as it is actually central. Soho is connected to Chinatown, Regent Street and Oxford Street and whilst they are great places to shop and eat, take a detour and have a gander at the great shopping opportunity in Carnaby street, LGBT+ bars in Old Compton Street and then chill in the park.
Image 7. Soho Theatre
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