5: The Hottest Number in Town

No.5 is the new-look ground floor bar beneath the Green Carnation. Now under fully gay ownership and ready for a whole new lease of life, it’s going to be a lush new destination for queer Soho drinking. Cliff Joannou talks to general manager Matt Roper

 


The Green Carnation has been neglected for a while now. 

I have seen the venue change over the past 10 years: Sanctuary, then Element, through to its current format Green Carnation. I have always felt its potential. Upstairs worked as a cabaret cocktail bar but the downstairs area lacked identity. London and NYC are two cities close to my heart, having split my time between them over the past few years. They go hand-in-hand.

I wanted to create a space that brought in the best qualities of NYC and London in one bar: The quick paced sophistication of Manhattan and the creative edge of London’s Soho. I am so proud to create synergy with this venue and fulfill these dreams.

Will it be pushed more as a gay venue still?

GC has always and will always be proud of its status as a gay venue. I am proud how far the LGBT community has come and what we have achieved in recent years. No5 Greek Street will maintain this recognition.

There have been some big changes to the place already and it’s looking a lot smarter. What else can we look forward to?

It was important for us to create a comfortable atmosphere. Big new sofas for relaxing, a cocktail bar and newly renovated private booths in the basement where you have the choice to listen to the entertainment upstairs in Green Carnation, the DJ in No.5 or plug in your own iPod and have your own party.

In terms of evening entertainment, which direction are you going? 

Across the two venues, we now offer the best DJs, cabaret entertainment and West End and Broadway performers that London and NYC have to offer. It has been so exciting for me personally to be working again with some of my favourite performers.

What’s in store for the Halloween weekend?

Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year partly due to the fact that it’s my birthday as well. Playing on the history of the building and the original theme behind Green Carnation we are transforming the venue into a four story Haunted House. On the ground, we have MisWhite and Matt Bogard playing the tunes. Upstairs, we have brought back the fantastically unique Holly Penfield and her band alongside Duncan Day and his piano. For those that dare to go into the basement, celebrity fortune-teller, Barbara will be offering free readings.

We will be revealing our new cocktail menu and a happy hour promotion all night plus loads more surprises. It’s our launch party so we are expecting it to get busy and we advise arriving early, but we are open to 4am.

Going into 2015, what’s the long-term plan?

2015 is a new chapter for us. We do have some very exciting plans for next year but let’s not spoil the surprise on that one.. No.5 is here and it’s time to put Soho back on the map.

 

• No.5 (5 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 4DD) launches on Thursday 30th October, 8pm-late.

 

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