ListingsUpdated Fri 23 Oct
Soho London: what's on and things to do
Soho is the densest square mile of evening in the country. Theatres, comedy rooms above pubs, jazz clubs, kitchens that serve past midnight and more bars than anyone could visit in a year, all packed into the grid between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue.
It is also the part of London that has changed most and complains about it most loudly. Some of that is fair. Enough of the old Soho survives that an evening here is still unlike an evening anywhere else in the city.
Daytime
Soho in daylight is for eating and for records. Berwick Street still has record shops and the fruit and veg market; Bar Italia has been open since 1949 and effectively never closes. The bookshops on Charing Cross Road are fewer than they were but the survivors are good. Chinatown, technically its own place on the southern edge, is busiest at lunch and cheapest before six.
Evening and night
The theatres go up between half past seven and eight, which is why the restaurants have two clear sittings and why a table at nine is easier than a table at seven. Ronnie Scott's runs a late show after the main sitting, usually from about a quarter past eleven, and it is cheaper and better than the early one. The comedy rooms above pubs are where most of the country's stand-ups are actually working on a Tuesday.
The pubs on Dean Street and Frith Street spill onto the pavement from six. Last orders in most of them is eleven, which is when Soho's second half starts: the members' bars, the late licences and the places that only make sense after midnight.
Getting home
Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square all serve Soho and all are unpleasant at closing. The Victoria, Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines all run overnight on Friday and Saturday, so weekends are easy. Midweek, the last trains go around half past midnight and the night buses from Trafalgar Square go everywhere.
What to expect
266 listings ahead in Soho. The busiest rooms are The 100 Club, Ronnie Scott's and JK Comedy Club Piccadilly Circus. Mostly Gigs, Comedy and Cabaret.
Nearby
Each venue above has its own page with its address, its opening hours and every date we hold for it.
Friday
23 October-
Free
Carnaby Street and the courts
The street itself takes five minutes; Kingly Court behind it takes an afternoon. Three floors of a courtyard with the roof open in summer and closed in winter.
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Exhibitions Free
Outernet London
Four storeys of screen wrapped around a public hall by Tottenham Court Road station, free to walk into. What is on changes constantly; five minutes is usually enough.
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Exhibitions From £45
The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
The television set rebuilt under Shaftesbury Avenue, played in teams of up to eight with a maze master shouting at you. Ninety minutes, and you do need to book.
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Food and drink From £35
Bottomless brunch in Soho
More bottomless brunch per square yard than anywhere in London, and the offers change often enough that the street is the reliable part rather than any one room. Book: Saturdays go.
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Cabaret Table booking or membership
The Box Soho
A late night theatre club on Walker's Court running a variety show that is deliberately hard to describe. Over 21s, tables and membership only.
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Clubs Guest list or a table booking
Cirque le Soir
A circus themed nightclub on Ganton Street that puts the performers on the floor rather than a stage. Guest list or tables, not a walk up.
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Late night Late
Sophisticats
A licensed strip club on Brewer Street, open Monday to Saturday from ten until three and closed on Sunday. Over 18s, photo ID on the door.
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Comedy £5
Belly Laugh
Until 9 Dec
Comedy in the studio at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Gigs Free
Bar Jams
Until 27 Oct
Live music in the bar at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Comedy £20 to £45
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Until 1 Nov
Comedy in the main theatre at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Talks £5
ESP Live From Soho
Until 2 Dec
A podcast recorded live in the main theatre at Underbelly Boulevard, on Walker's Court in Soho. It is a run rather than one night, so there is more than one chance at it. Start time is on the venue's page.
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Gigs £12
Ronnie Scott’s: Late Late Show with TUCAN
TUCAN in the main room, doors 23:15 and on until three. Tickets from the club's own page.
