Soho makes up the heart and soul of modern and historical London
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by: Sarah Maple
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Soho is bordered by Oxford Street, Regent Street, Coventry Street and Charing Cross Road. Touted as the liveliest square mile in London, Soho had a bit of a sleazy image in the late 20th century as a centre of sex, taboo and debauchery. Since this time Soho has shed its old image like a butterfly shedding its flaky brown cocoon.
There about 5000 permanent residents in Soho, mixing with media workers, artists, writers, actors and tailors from different backgrounds and cultures. Soho also has a late night atmosphere that rivals New York, when the late night cafes and coffee bars really come into their own whilst the rest of London is asleep.
A favourite hang out of London’s fashionable bohemian scene, regulars are the likes of Rhys Ifans, Kate Moss and the most talented Fleet Street editors, hacks and PR guru’s. Although some would argue that the original characters such as the Dylan Thomas’s or Jeffrey Bernard’s have long since passed, Soho retains a constantly replenished sense of life that stays true to its legacy but stops it from falling into just legend.
Soho gets its name from the Middle Ages. Soho was once a heavily used farming site before the land became acquired by Henry VIII in the 1530’s. The wooded land in the area then became used as hunting ground for English aristocracy. 'Soho!' was the hunting cry that the Anglo-Normans used to summon the hounds to pursue their game.
After an influx of French Huguenots and Greek Christians fleeing persecution in their own country’s Soho flourished with the new injection of craftsmanship and talent. Café’s and restaurants followed the traders and opened up in the area which in turn attracted some of the 18th centuries best artists, philosophers, poets and writers who gravitated towards the buzz and cultured feel of Soho. This put Soho on the map as the most forewords thinking cosmopolitan area of London at the time, with well known icons such as Karl Marx taking up residence in the area.
Soho is also host to a number of excellent Gay and Lesbian clubs one of which is the Candy Bar which opened in 1996. The bar employs an all female staff of DJ’s pole dancers and bar staff and is the first woman’s bar in the UK to be granted a striptease licence. It has also won the ‘best night out’ award at the National Bar Awards.
Of course this is just a taster of what Soho has to offer, the whole atmosphere of the area can only be conveyed through experience. Just like a butterfly, Soho is fast, flirty and enchanting to watch but unlike the colourful insect, no amount of blinking could cause you to miss it!
About the Author
We Love Local features reviews by customers who have used services or visited businesses in London and throughout the UK. So if your looking for a great night out in Soho then check out their Soho pub reviews and Soho bar reviews.
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