Soho Theatre Bar: Central London’s fierce and fabulous arts hub

The phrase “theatre bar” probably either makes you think of those fun brunch places where staff members serenade you with showtunes, or of counters in huge commercial playhouses where a small glass of wine puts you on the verge of bankruptcy. Soho Theatre Bar is neither of those things: it’s a buzzy, un-showy, neon-lit hub that’s a creative hive by day and an electric hotspot by night; located in the heart of London’s West End. While very much a key part of Soho Theatre (the relentlessly exciting performance house to which it is literally and figuratively attached), the Bar is also its own thing: it’s a co-working space perfect for a freelancer (hiya!), a relaxed place to grab a coffee or a wrap, somewhere convenient and vibey to meet a friend for drinks, or – on very special occasions – a place to go fully out-out. Whatever you need from a city hangout, this versatile little venue can probably do it. Located on Dean Street, just down the road from the new-ish Elizabeth Line entrance at Tottenham Court Road, it’s usually open from 10am on weekdays (midday on Saturdays) and continues to thrive well into the night. You can’t miss it: a huge vertical neon sign marks the spot, and the outside is usually covered in eye-catching artwork for whatever shows are coming up across the building’s three performance spaces. Step through the bar doors during daylight hours and you’ll find a wonderfully well-lit area, thanks mainly to some extremely fabulous neon signage and a glass front that looks out on the city’s Zone 1 bustle. Spare pillars and walls are covered in posters from past shows, and boy, there are plenty: Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag has particular pride of place, given that it started life at Soho before going on to conquer the world as a TV show, but plenty of other big names from the worlds of stand-up comedy and theatre can be spotted, too. With healthy green plants scattered around and colourful decorations hanging from the high ceilings, it’s easy to feel...