Difference between revisions of "Soho"
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| − | Soho is a quarter in the [[West End]] of [[London]] considered to be the gay district of the city. This is due to its popularity with LGBT people, its high concentration of bars, eateries and shops, as well as its traditional creative and media industries as well as | + | [[File:Soho - map 1 original.png|thumb|Soho]]'''Soho''' is a quarter in the [[West End]] of [[London]] considered to be the gay district of the city. This is due to its popularity with LGBT people, its high concentration of bars, eateries and shops, as well as its traditional creative and media industries as well as theatres. A central street, often regarded as ''the'' gay street in London, is [[Old Compton Street]]. Soho used to have a prominent red light district <ref> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soho_walk-up During the mid–2000s several walk-ups on streets leading off Shaftesbury Avenue were bought up and closed or renovated for other uses. By the end of 2014 the gentrification of Soho had reduced the number of flats used for prostitution to around 40, it has since reduced to about a dozen walk-ups </ref>. |
| − | Soho, | + | Soho had long been a traditional place for gay people to hang out: [[Harry's Restaurant]] in Lisle Street was noted as a "resort of perverts and women of Ill-repute" in the 1930s. The area experienced a quick and large growth of modern gay bars and eateries in the early 1990s, such as [[The Village]], [[The Yard]] and [[The Edge]]. |
| − | The gay scene of Soho is often thought of as attracting a younger more fashion-conscious and mixed crowd than other gay districts, such as [[Vauxhall]]. Soho preceded Vauxhall as a popular place for gay people to hang out, but also followed [[Earls Court]], which was popular in the | + | In 1984 a Conservative MP, Keith Hampson, was charged with an indecent assault on a man arising from an incident in the Gay Theatre (a gay strip venue) at 69 Berwick Street. Hampson was found not guilty <ref> Matthew Parris and Kevin Maguire Great Parliamentary Scandals, Robson Books, 1995 [2004], p266, 263 </ref> . |
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| + | The gay scene of Soho is often thought of as attracting a younger more fashion-conscious and mixed crowd than other gay districts, such as [[Vauxhall]]. Soho preceded Vauxhall as a popular place for gay people to hang out, but also followed [[Earls Court]], which was popular in the 1970s and 80s with [[clones]], most notably due to the [[Coleherne]] pub and [[Brompton's]] nightclub. | ||
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| + | [[Gay London, 1997|''Gay London'', 1997]] lists 53 establishments in Soho and [[Covent Garden]]. | ||
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| + | [[Soho Masses]] at one time provided church services for LGBT Roman Catholics. | ||
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| + | [[Sweatbox Soho]] is a gay sauna and gym. | ||
== Soho Pride == | == Soho Pride == | ||
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== Famous people who frequented == | == Famous people who frequented == | ||
| − | Film director [[Derek Jarman]] was often seen drinking in Comptons | + | Film director [[Derek Jarman]] was often seen drinking in Comptons. |
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| + | Artist [[Francis Bacon (artist)|Francis Bacon]] frequented [[The French House]] in Dean Street, his portrait is still on the wall in the ground floor bar. | ||
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| + | See [[Timeline of West End Bars and Clubs]]. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references> | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:West End]] |
| − | [[Category:London]] | + | [[Category:Soho| ]] |
| + | [[Category:Localities in London]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Articles lacking references]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:46, 7 July 2023
Soho is a quarter in the West End of London considered to be the gay district of the city. This is due to its popularity with LGBT people, its high concentration of bars, eateries and shops, as well as its traditional creative and media industries as well as theatres. A central street, often regarded as the gay street in London, is Old Compton Street. Soho used to have a prominent red light district [1].
Soho had long been a traditional place for gay people to hang out: Harry's Restaurant in Lisle Street was noted as a "resort of perverts and women of Ill-repute" in the 1930s. The area experienced a quick and large growth of modern gay bars and eateries in the early 1990s, such as The Village, The Yard and The Edge. In 1984 a Conservative MP, Keith Hampson, was charged with an indecent assault on a man arising from an incident in the Gay Theatre (a gay strip venue) at 69 Berwick Street. Hampson was found not guilty [2] .
The gay scene of Soho is often thought of as attracting a younger more fashion-conscious and mixed crowd than other gay districts, such as Vauxhall. Soho preceded Vauxhall as a popular place for gay people to hang out, but also followed Earls Court, which was popular in the 1970s and 80s with clones, most notably due to the Coleherne pub and Brompton's nightclub.
Gay London, 1997 lists 53 establishments in Soho and Covent Garden.
Soho Masses at one time provided church services for LGBT Roman Catholics.
Sweatbox Soho is a gay sauna and gym.
Soho Pride
Soho Pride started in 1994 as the Soho Pink Weekend organised by Gary Henshaw and encouraged by The Village bar owner Gordon Lewis.
Soho bomb
On 30 April 1999, two people were killed and many injured when the Admiral Duncan pub was blown up using a nail bomb. It was a Friday night and the start of a long bank holiday weekend. Many people had finished work and were enjoying the spring evening in Soho.
Famous people who frequented
Film director Derek Jarman was often seen drinking in Comptons.
Artist Francis Bacon frequented The French House in Dean Street, his portrait is still on the wall in the ground floor bar.
See Timeline of West End Bars and Clubs.
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soho_walk-up During the mid–2000s several walk-ups on streets leading off Shaftesbury Avenue were bought up and closed or renovated for other uses. By the end of 2014 the gentrification of Soho had reduced the number of flats used for prostitution to around 40, it has since reduced to about a dozen walk-ups
- ↑ Matthew Parris and Kevin Maguire Great Parliamentary Scandals, Robson Books, 1995 [2004], p266, 263
