11-12 Walkers Court, Brewer Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F 0ED
(020) 7434 4374
The ViewLondon Review
If you want to mingle with an achingly cool crowd made up of the capital's leading tastemakers and plenty of famous faces, then the seedy yet highly sophisticated The Box is the place to be in 2011.
The Venue
You will find The Box just a few minutes’ walk from Leicester Square, hidden in a dark Soho alleyway in the old Raymond Revue club. It has transferred to London after the original NYC club was such a controversial hit and it has caused all sorts of commotion in the press since it launched at the end of 2010. Already notorious for its super-tight door - even if you're on the guestlist you may not get in - there are no flashing lights or brightly lit signs as you approach the venue, just five or six bouncers standing at some old wooden doors, with a red velvet rope and a few paparazzi hanging around. This is when you know you have arrived.
The Atmosphere
Don’t be surprised if the doormen say nothing to you, as they won’t unless you’re not welcome. Assuming you are on the guestlist, a sharply dressed man comes out and asks for your name and quickly ushers you inside. Greeted by two burlesque girls, you feel like you're entering an old 1940’s French boudoir with its candle-lit hallways, hazy mirrors and X-rated cherub wallpaper. Continue down a dimly-lit corridor and you enter into the main space of the club where all the action happens. There are two stages, one in the middle of the floor and one main stage, flanked with red velvet curtains. The space itself is not huge making it quite intimate, with seated areas all along the walls and the bar to the back of the room.
The Box attracts a very sophisticated crowd full of good-looking, well-dressed people, all out to have a good time. Expect to bump into the odd celebrity, like previous guests Leona Lewis, Kate Moss, Mark Ronson, or even Prince Harry. Upstairs is an outdoor terrace which acts as a smoking area, the toilets and the all important Green Room or VIP area, where only the chosen few can continue partying till the early hours.
The Drink
Table service is available for a minimum spend of between £1,000 and £3000, depending on how close you want to be to the stage and what day of the week you visit. The bar staff are very helpful and full of information about what they serve. They have a great selection of drinks, anything from top-end cocktails with some seedy names at £15, to a bottle of the finest special edition Dom Perignon at a gob smacking £20,000. Although it is pricey, it's nothing out of the ordinary for this type of club.
The Music
The music is a crowd-pleasing mix - from urban to 70s with a bit of chart thrown in to make you get up and dance. The first show starts off at 1am and varies in length each night. Famous acts from around the world perform what you might call ‘erotic’ or even ‘artistic’ acts on stage. There are a mix of female dancers, fire breathers, singers and trapeze artists all performing magnificent acts on stage, but remember some of these acts are not for the faint-hearted so be prepared! Once the stage acts are finished, the venue turns into a full-on club with people dancing on any surface they can find.
The Last Word
If you’re looking for something fresh on the London club scene with a bit of erotica thrown in, this is the place to go. Although the drinks are expensive they are justified by the amazing on-stage performances and the great staff. Be prepared for one very special and completely unique night out.
The Box has been reviewed by 19 users