Christmas is coming, and what better way to enjoy the festive season than in the lavish surroundings of the Soho Club Lounge, upstairs at Comptons. We spoke with General Manager Neil Hodgson to tell us more…
How does the Soho Club Lounge differ from the downstairs Compton’s bar?
The Soho Club Lounge was a space that I started to work on 13 years ago. I wanted to create a space that was very different to the ground floor bar. Comptons will always be the institution for the male dominated, vertical drinker in the main bar – it’s what we are famous for.
When I came here in 1998, the upstairs bar had no character and looked like a dated Harvester restaurant. A lot of passion, time and money has been invested over the years, creating a space that now resembles a Gentleman’s private club in St James’s square.
One year the wallpaper alone was £8,000, as it is hand cut French flock that I sourced from Paris. Antique light fittings, panelling, ornate plasterwork, mirrors, oil paintings, bronze statues are all part of the effect that has been so many years in the creating.
This year a rosewood parlour grand piano, black velvet and gold silk damask swags and tails have been the new additions, and so it continues. The Soho Club Lounge now resembles a room from Downton Abbey!
Tell us about the food, what can we expect…
Our weekend food menu not only consists of homemade pub classics but we also have homemade weekend specials. We’re now serving Christmas dinner with all the trimmings throughout December, too! We offer a great selection of wines and whiskeys, our fish and chips are rated as being the best in Soho by a known food critic, and all this comes with table service from our well presented and friendly team members in an opulent environment. It’s not only is free but our food and drink prices are highly competitive.
Sounds great, when should we drop by?
Our menu is served 12noon to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday, we have Lee Reed on the piano every Thursday from 8pm -10pm playing requests and some firm favourites. The Soho Club Lounge is open every night from 6pm and all day at weekends. It’s also available for private hire.
• Comptons of Soho, 51-53 Old Compton Street , Soho, W1D 6HN
