81 Wardour Street,
Soho,
London,
W1D 6QD
(020) 7478 0530
The ViewLondon Review
Since 1991, Village has been firmly placed on the gay map of London. Ideally located in the heart of trendy Soho, and with a fresh contemporary edge, it stands out amongst the many other less welcoming venues nearby.
The Venue
Despite being in the hub of crowded Soho, expect to be welcomed to Village with open arms by a friendly crowd often spilling out into the street, giving it a cool continental vibe. The venue itself is spread over three separate floors, each with a very distinctive style. The contradictory interiors of each floor, including the metallic industrial look of the main floor, the decadent and period featured boudoir upstairs, and the modern decor of the underground bar, strangely complement the diverse crowd that flock to this West End hangout. The only thing that lets this place down is the toilets that, given the modern style of the rest of the venue, could do with a lick of paint.
The Atmosphere
Village attracts a real mix of people, and although it sells itself on being a trendy bar, it really does have a local pub feel given that many of its crowd seem to be frequent visitors. There’s also plenty of room to move around, so whether you’re looking for a wild night or an intimate drink, this place is a pretty flexible venue.
The Music
With funky laid back tunes played throughout, Village doesn’t feel too loud to have a conversation like many other late night bars. And if you’re looking for something a little more lively, the famous underground bar karaoke is just the place for all aspiring Christinas and Britneys.
The Food
Even though there’s plenty of space for intimate dining, there’s a traditional but rather limited selection of food on offer at a reasonable price. Just don’t be expecting to be spoilt for choice.
The Drink
With a vast selection of cocktails, wines and spirits, you could spend a long time deciding what to have here, but the late license means you’ll have plenty of time to sample your favourites. The bar staff are friendly and knowledgeable, although if you order from the cocktail menu, their attention to detail means perfection could take a while - not ideal on a busy night. There’s also a happy hour – perfect for an after work tipple.
The Last Word
Whether you’re gay or straight, Village is a fresh and funky hangout, ideal for meeting friends old and new.
Village Soho has been reviewed by 17 users