48 HOURS IN SOHO

24 HOURS IN SOHO

Soho has bucketful’s of atmosphere, with neon-bright lights and a

continuous buzz of people – both tourists and locals alike. In a part of London which never appears to sleep, you will never tire of finding fabulous things to do. We sent Holly Cannon to the square mile to construct the perfect Soho day and night.

You could spend a lifetime exploring London and not even scratch the surface (trust us, we’ve tried). As one of the world’s most vibrant cities, Britain’s bustling capital is bursting with things to see and do. But if you want to hang somewhere that’s brimming with diversity for fun-loving people, where you can find a bustling bar or restaurant day or night, then we advise you to head to Soho. People from different walks of life, race and culture can be found here.

Bordering the areas of Leicester Square and China Town, Soho is situated in the heart of London’s West End and as bustling as it is, covers no more than a square mile. You can stroll through its streets in less than an hour, but if you don’t know your way around, you may end up walking around for hours without discovering its secrets. As small as Soho is, it boasts no less than 7 Michelin star restaurants, unique boutiques and the world-renowned department store Liberty. This is today’s Soho. But the area wasn’t always like this. Soho was once host to brothels and illegal speakeasies were once the norm. In a way, this naughtiness is the area’s claim to fame and what many Londoners and visitors have come to love Soho for.

For mainstream fashion in Soho, you can’t beat shopping along London’s famed Oxford Street. This busy street is world-famous for shopping, stores include the flagship Nike and Primark stores and everyone’s favourite, the Disney store. Oxford Circus lies on the corner of Bloomsbury where the neighbourhood meets Soho and Mayfair, and the iconic shopping district encompassing Regent Street is not to be missed. The thoroughfares are packed with the UK’s top brands and stores, offering plenty of choices to suit any shopper’s tastes.

MORNING

Carnaby Street

If you are in Soho to shop you will want to make Carnaby Street your first stop. Known for its British brands such as Ben Sherman and Lazy Oaf, this particular street is known for its more quirky flagship stores. For a unique pair of shoes, head to Irregular Choice for shoes that will catch everyone’s attention every time you wear them. If you are visiting London during the Christmas season, Carnaby Street has some of the brightest light decorations in London, which often follow suit in being as different as the stores below them. Christmas Lights can also be found along Regent’s Street and Oxford Street.It’s when the weather is most ideal. Crowds are much thinner in the summer and winter months. However, June has a sticky humidity that is uncomfortable for most tourists, and January’s chilly temperatures are not much better.

Oxford Street and Regents Street

Situated just off Carnaby street is Kingly Court, a three-story drinks and dining destination and the perfect place for a quick pit stop. In the courtyard area you will find over 20 of the best international eateries and bars, making it the perfect place to catch up with old friends over a coffee, a cocktail and good food.

LUNCH

Pasta Heaven at Bancone

Bancone has two locations in Central London, their first Covent Garden outpost near Trafalgar Square and their Golden Square branch in Soho which opened in 2019. Whilst Genoa has the famous pesto Genovese, Rome has the carbonara, and Bologna of course, has the Bolognese, Bancone has chosen not to stick to one region and instead showcases speciality pasta recipes from all across Italy. Bancone has experienced an almost cult status with Londoners with muchInstagrammed dishes like the silk handkerchief with walnut butter topped with a beautiful confit egg yolk and the bucatini cacio e pepe.

All the pasta dishes are well-priced, ranging from £9 to £13.50 including our plate of half-moon shaped ravioli, stuffed with spinach and ricotta and served in sage butter and the squid ink tagliolini served in a tomato and garlic sauce. Save some space for pudding as the coconut panna cotta is delicious and refreshing with a mango and passion fruit compote.

Located on Wardour Street, The House of Minalima is a shop and exhibition showcasing the graphic art of the Harry Potter films. Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima created some of the most rememberable pieces for one the greatest film franchises of our time, including the iconic Hogwart’s acceptance letter. The quirky store is bursting with pieces of film history with memorabilia available to purchase as well. The House of Minamalina is open every day from 12pm – 7pm every day and is one of the best things to do in Soho during the day. The weekends do get really busy, so don’t be surprised if you have to queue on Saturdays and Sundays (and sometimes in the week!).

Head to Chinatown

Want a feel of China in London? Chinatown is where you need to go. Here, the food, drinks, and even the air has a way of transporting you to China. Some of the bars and cafes found at Chinatown are YiFang, W London Hotel, Caffe Concerto, The Blue Posts, Cappacha and De Hems. You can visit the traditional Chinese bakery – Bake and The Chinatown Bakery for something sweet, like a matcha teriyaki fish (it’s a thing).

Spend Some Time on Soho Square

One of the things we love about London is no matter where you are, no matter how central, there’s always a spot nearby for you to take five and relax. Soho Square is small oasis of relative calm in the middle of Soho. It’s got a laidback and peaceful vibe – even though it’s rarely ever empty. It’s also the perfect place to grab a coffee and a pastry and soak up some of London’s rare sunshine. Soho Square is not only pretty but also historically significant. It dates back from the late 17th century, and there’s a picturesque black-and-white Tudor house right in the middle of the square.

EVENING THE LONDON CABERET CLUB BLOOMSBURY, LONDON

As the sun goes down, we headed off to enjoy a night of stunning performances at The London Cabaret Show in the Bloomsbury Ballroom, complete with a gourmet three-course dinner and firstclass facilities.

With a range of shows throughout the year, you’re guaranteed a London night out like no other. Billing itself as a Bond-inspired dining and entertainment experience, we experienced London Never Dies, an immersive cabaret night set to music from the iconic film franchise. All the best songs are there, from Adele to Jack White to Tina Turner. The action takes place in the beautiful Art Deco ballroom and there are various food and drink price options for the evening.

The Show

The show programme consisted of very sexy dancers and singers who pay tribute to the Bond themes. Performances were superb and the speed of the action-packed night was partnered beautifully by the delivery of the great food. The evening concludes with an after-party where you can dance the night away from your table in the ballroom. If you’re after an evening of spangles and sequins and glamorous, escapist fun then the London Cabaret Club is the place to go.

Our Verdict A delicious departure from the banalities of everyday life, London Never Dies is ultimate escapism, even if you did arrive on a red bus, rather than an Aston Martin.