Why go: SOHO'S MOST LOVED ROOFTOP BAR In the 19th century, Broadwick Street was home to a noted flute-maker who inspired the name of the rooftop dining and bar venue that crowns the hotel. Flute's landscaped wraparound outdoor terrace offers spectacular views over the Soho streets and London skyline. Inside, the décor combines cocooned comfort with maximalist glamour - animal-print upholstery, cork walls and mirrored ceilings united by an extravagant palm-frond carpet. From the onyx-topped central bar, Flute's bartenders serve up an ever-changing list of innovative cocktails complemented by a sensational soundtrack of music and menus featuring food designed to be enjoyed with friends.
Location: Soho Map
Address: Broadwick Street Soho
Why go: Everybody who was anybody passed through these doors in the 'Seventies and 'Eighties: The Clash, The Cure, The Jam, The Police, Dire Straits, The Specials, The Stranglers, The Damned, Dr Feelgood, X-Ray Specs, Eurythmics, Elvis Costello and Madness to name just a few! U2 (famously in front of 8 people) and Joy Division (tragic frontman Ian Curtis having his first epileptic fit as he returned home from the gig), both had their debut London shows here!! The venue gained such a high reputation that The Front Row Festival in 1977 (which featured XTC, Shakin’ Stevens and Tom Robinson) was recorded and released as a live double album by Warner, reaching No. 28 in the UK Album Charts. The Stranglers, Elvis Costello and The Saints also recorded live albums here, and Madness shot their music video to "One Step Beyond" in the place. The venue bar even inspired a song – Splodgenessabounds' cult hit 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please' - apparently an ode to the futility trying to get served at the Hope! It reached No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart. The legendary independent label Stiff Records was founded here.
Location: Islington Map
Address: Upper Street, Islington
Why go: "It's a family story Little Italy with its combination of fine dining, an exceptional wine list, music and dancing has become one of the most popular and best known Italian restaurants in Soho. Opened in 1995, it traces its roots deep into the heart of the Italian community in London. Back in 1949 Luigi and Caterina Polledri acquired the coffee bar which they named Bar Italia which has remained in the possession of the Polledri family ever since. It has become one of the best known landmarks in Soho and still remains the most famous coffee bar in London. And possibly renowned throughout the world."
Location: Soho Map
Address: 21 Frith St, London W1D 4RN
Why go: For more than six decades, Ronnie Scott’s has been at the centre of London’s jazz scene. Famous worldwide, the club is where the great and the good of jazz - and its rising stars - meet the city’s most passionate audiences. Founded in 1959 by saxophonists Ronnie Scott and Pete King, Ronnie's was the first UK club to host American jazz musicians regularly. From Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker to Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Amy Winehouse, some of the world’s greatest artists have played on our stage. Six decades of musical heritage and a touch of old-school Soho charm keep audiences returning night after night.
Location: Soho Map
Address: 47 Frith Street Soho London W1D 4HT
Why go: SABRAGE is London's most dazzling cabaret show — an extravagant evening of intoxicating allure and riotous edge-of-your-seat entertainment at Lafayette in King's Cross. This immersive cabaret experience brings together the finest circus and acrobatic talent from across the globe with titillating humour, vintage glamour, hand-crafted cocktails – and more than a few surprises. An adults-only cabaret show in London like no other
Location: Camden Map
Address: 11 Goods Way, Kings Cross
Why go: Three Sheets Soho is our central London spot, just off Greek Street. Like Dalston, it’s all about relaxed service, seasonal cocktails, and drinks that are meticulously simple. With British Oysters paired with champagne and London’s best Burger and Chips alongside a seasonal food menu.
Location: Soho Map
Address: 13 Manette Street, Soho
Why go: The Vortex Jazz Club is one of the UK’s premier jazz venues, programming almost 400 performances a year in an intimate space. We were winner of the Live Jazz Award category at the 2013 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.As a volunteer-led jazz club in North London, Dalston, we have been given the accolade of being one of the world’s best, and have even been singled out by the prestigious Downbeat magazine as one the top 150 jazz venues in the world. Most of the concerts are programmed by the club itself, exercising a judicious balance between quality and accessibility. This contrasts us with other venues, which just act as places for various outside promoters to use. For 25 years, the club has been serving as a platform for jazz, improvised and experimental music. The Vortex has been instrumental in the launch of up and coming artists’ careers, such as Mercury-nominated bands including Polar Bear and Portico Quartet.
Location: Shoreditch Map
Address: 11 Gillett Square London, N16 8AZ
Why go: Zum Barbarossa will serve as an all-in-one cocktail bar and club. Guests can choose from a selection of uniquely crafted cocktails and enjoy live DJs
Location: Soho Map
Address: 77 Dean Street Soho
Why go: The original Zuma is renowned as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the capital embracing the rich culinary heritage of Japanese cuisine with contemporary dishes, inspired by the founder’s many years spent eating + drinking after work in traditional Tokyo izakayas, this is where the story began…
Location: Knightsbridge Map
Address: Raphael Street