26/09/15: Chunky thighs, huge pecs, big rough hands, playing with balls…there seems to be a lot of crossover between the Six Nations Rugby and the clientele of the Grand Dame of Soho, Comptons.
On Saturday night, we ventured down to the legendary boozer to catch the game (MASC!) and throw back a few shandies (MASCARA!). On the huge HD screens, some disgracefully attractive and sweaty men from one country were playing some disgracefully attractive and sweaty men from another country. Let’s be honest, I really didn’t care where any of them they were from, did you see their BUTTS? I am an equal-opportunity rugby rump enthusiast. The upper floor of the venue was completely jam-packed with rowdy, burly boys, including what appeared to be the entire Kings Cross Steelers team, all cheering on the match and swigging celebratory pints with each successful try. Downstairs, the delightful Jo Publik was providing a thumping soundtrack of house beats, to accompany the brutes crashing into each other on the field, as the gorgeous bar team ably catered for the ever-growing crowd. While somehow still managing to remain professional, friendly and annoyingly handsome. Oh, and we got ourselves wonderfully drunk. No idea which team won the match but I was very excited about it. Grand dame, you never disappoint.
51-53 Old Compton Street, W1D 6HN
Words by James Egan
Photos by Freddy Krave
