Soho, the set of streets and alleyways between Oxford Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and Regent Street is one of the most cosmopolitan parts of London. Successive waves have brought French, Germans, Italians, Russian and Polish Jews, Swiss, Greeks and, most famously, Chinese to the area. Fleeing poverty and persecution in their own countries, Soho's tolerance, proximity to the centre of London, and low rents were all an instant draw. Once famous as the centre of London's vice industry, Soho is now celebrated as one of the most fashionable parts of London. Its main industries are television, magazine publishing, and fashion. Hoards of exclusive employees continue to fill the sophisticated boutiques of Carnaby Street and Kingly Court throughout the day. By night, the winding alleyways of Soho become packed with Londoners and tourists eager to sample some of the most varied entertainment the capital has to offer. Always the most tolerant part of London, Soho is also the heart of the capital's vibrant gay scene. Cinemas, pubs, bars, nightclubs, comedy clubs, some superb live music venues and a dozen West End theatres attract people of all ages and backgrounds into Soho's melting pot. Superb Chinese and Italian food, as well as restaurants to suit all conceivable tastes and budgets, make Soho a gourmet's paradise. It seems extraordinary that such a small area could contain so much life and energy, but the truth is that you could visit Soho every day for a year and still barely scratch the surface.
Gaz's Rockin' Blues
St Moritz, 149 Wardour Street, W1F 8WL
Valentine's Day, 14th February 2008, and every Thursday
Gaz Mayall started DJing in the early 1970s, picking up... More
The Art of Seduction
The Billiard Room, Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, W1T 3NG
12th February 2008
Guardian readers will know Guy Browning as the quick-witted author of the... More
Myla | ME & EM | Coco de Mer
If the thought of buying underwear makes you feel like the priests in that scene from 'Father Ted', you need help. We've... More
Hakkasan
8 Hanway Place, W1T 1HF
Hakkasan is solid proof that Chinese food in London doesn't just have to equate to an all-you-can-eat buffet in some insalubrious... More
Taking in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, Soho, Theatreland, Chinatown, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Edgware Road, The West End really does have ... More
Discover the newly refurbished Shaftesbury Hotel in the heart of London's Theatreland. Each of the 62 fully air-conditioned bedrooms boasts luxury fittings, state of the ... More
If you're bored of staying in faceless international hotels, then you should try this quirky gem where no two rooms are the same. Georgian panelling, ... More
The original Broadway cast are transferring to London's West End for this latest production of Hair, the 1960s musical written by out-of-work actors James Rado ...More
Offering over 140 blends of coffee (including Arabic and Lebanese) and 200 types of tea sourced from around the world this Soho-based shop is a ... More
If spirits are your tipple then this is the place to go. Gerry’s stocks an extraordinary selection of wines and unusual spirits from liqueurs to ... More
One of the best Spanish restaurants in London, as the loyal crowds of Hispanic diners would suggest. This cosy, unpretentious restaurant doesn't take reservations, and ... More
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken ... More
Thai food is the cuisine of the moment - green curries, red curries, satays, are everywhere. To the uninitiated,it's very difficult to recreate at home. ... More
In the shadow of both Centrepoint and St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, hidden from most tourists and residents alike, lies this beautiful West End garden. Originally a ... More
Celebrate in style at this elegant yet wholly unpretentious Baroque champagne bar in the heart of Soho. Dimly-lit, effortlessly elegant and with gleaming Mahogany surfaces, ... More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
Concealed in a particularly squalid and touristy corner of Piccadilly Circus is Bar Rumba, the bar that has kept the UK's Urban scene alive in ... More
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Soho, the set of streets and alleyways between 
![English [Out There!]](/lycos/assets/MN089802_85x142.jpg "English [Out There!]")
