It may be older than much of the clientele mincing round Old Compton Street, but the Grand Dame of Soho is stronger than ever.
As Comptons celebrates an incredible 25 years in business, we sent Lee Dalloway to have a chinwag with Guv’nor Neil Hodgson to share the secrets of its success…
What do you know about the history of Comptons?
My great uncle Noel Coward frequented here during the Second World War and we have in his diary an entry that they had to evacuate Soho on numerous occasions during the blitz, which he felt was, “most inconvenient and very interrupting of his socials”.
As I’m sure most people will know, the pub was hit by a bomb that demolished most of the upper levels of Comptons and destroyed St Anne’s church behind us.
I have managed to find the architects drawings of Compton’s that were submitted to the royal academy of builders in the 1890s, and had it enlarged, framed and mounted. We will unveil it on our 25th anniversary.
Tell us about when you first started working there…
When I came here in 1998, there were still shutters on the windows and the doors had to be kept closed during trading hours. I took theshutters down, opened the doors and put tables and chairs outside, much to the disgust ofthe residents and annoyance to the council, but we had an off sales license and we own the pavement line, so there was no stopping me.
The outside drinking culture started from there and became a victim of its own success; hence why we now have been forced to use barriers.
What’s the ethos of Comptons?
When I came here I found the gay West End pretentious and unfriendly, so I wanted to create a local boozer for the gay community; a place that is theirs. We don’t care what you look like, where you come from or how you dress, even what you do for a living. We just want you to be yourselves and that way you will meet decent like-minded guys here.
I have continued to change things at Comptons over the years, but only in line with what the people and community wants. I refuse to just open my doors and expect people to support the venue like most pubs around here. Comptons is a tough old Dame and will outshine and remain the true heart of Soho.
WE LOVE 1986 By Lee Dalloway
Life in gayland was a little different twenty-five years ago. Here’s what we were up to… well, not us of course, we’re far too young…
Gayin’…
Old Compton Street would have looked very different back in ’86; there were hardly any gay bars for starters. This was a time when many gay clubs were being accused of spreading AIDS, which decimated the gay community at the time. Ironically, it was the puritans of the Tory-led Westminster council, which caused Soho to become the centre of gay life in London. They moved out all the illegal, heterosexual sex venues and when the Swiss Tavern became Comptons in 1986, others soon followed. London’s gay centre gradually left Earl’s Court and hit the West End.
Watchin’…
Wearin’…
Scrunchies, leggings, lycra miniskirts… and that was just the men! Hair and shoulders were ultimately at their mountainous peak, glasses were at full-on, ridiculousDeidreBarlow proportions and the new romantics had grown up, got greedy, moved into the city and become yuppies.
Whether you power-dressed in pinstripe, ‘Miami-Viced’ it up with a suit, T-shirt and ‘flock of seagulls’ combo, or rinsed the lime green Adidas, chances are, you looked like a right twat.
Listenin’…
The British ruled the roost in the American Billboard charts, whilst new acts included Whitney Houston, Belinda Carlisle and LL Cool J. Not forgetting the first rap/rock co-mingling, as Run DMC and Aerosmith told us to ‘Walk This Way’, and Sade brought jazz/elevator music to a new generation.
• Don’t miss the big Comptons birthday bash on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November at 51-53 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 6HN.
