11/02/12: Everyone loves a birthday party, and Compton’s stalwart Neil Hodgson is no exception. Turning the big 4-0, Saturday night saw plenty of happy returns with nearly a thousand people coming to celebrate with the birthday boy.
Things started sedately with a VIP party for the near and dear. A vodka luge, string quartet and plenty of bubbly kicked things off in grand fashion.
As Compton’s doors were flung open to all and sundry, the party really got underway with a Boogie Night’s theme of 70s disco. Blondie‘s ‘Heart of Glass’ played as punters downed jelly shots and drag queen Diamond Pearl schmoozed the crowd.
Jo Publik kept the music going into the early hours, by which point a young stud was pulling pints in his pants while Soho’s favourite barman Jamie had stripped to his waistcoat as admirers stroked that famous chest rug.
As parties goes, Neil certainly had a memorable one and proved you can have your birthday cake and eat it too.
51-53 Old Compton St Soho. London. W1D 6HN
Words by Colin Gentry
Photos by Chris Jepson
