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Friendly Society

(42 Ratings)
Soho basement den doing its own thing

Slightly tucked away in a subterranean spot down an alleyway in the thick of Soho, the Friendly Society is a haven for a youngish crowd craving a touch of gloss, a splash of camp, a reverence for kitsch and a nod to indie, all in a low-intensity but still sparkling hanging-out environment. A bit like something out of a movie. Action men and an army of Barbies of dangle from the ceiling in one room, mirror balls in another. Entrance in Tisbury Court – with girly peep shows for neighbours – just off Wardour St and immediately opposite the start of Old Compton St. Opened 2001 and is linked to gay-friendly venue Commercial Tavern in Spitalfields/Shoreditch. [see entry].



Address
79 Wardour St
London, England W1D 6QB

Near: Tisbury Court

Soho

Hours
Mon to Thu 4pm—11.30pm
Fri and Sat 4pm—midnight
Sun 4pm—10.30pm


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Reviews

dsgangels
dsgangels
Over a year ago

THE OLD/UGLY QUEENY DJ KILLED The Friendly Society place DARLING!!!

THE OLD/UGLY QUEENY DJ KILLED The Friendly Society place DARLING!!! Forget about how it was entering in the cosy Friendly Society bar in Soho, and be prepared to be one of the victim from the nasty new manager/owner, who can bite as a rabid dog if you dare facing him with some music request. The worse ever experience in the gay scene in Soho London today is the Friendly Society venue . This past Saturday I was celebrating a very happy birthday occasion with my straight girlfriends and after haven enjoy some of the lovely happy bars in gay Soho I decided to take them and finish in the Friendly Society. Bad idea!!! and I didn't suspect it. Once inside with my girlfriends I was banned from drinking from the wine that they already have paid, and I soon discovered that banning me was because in my pass visit to this place I requested a song that the DJ ignored and when I left I strongly complaint about it. My conclusion, how sad it is that this bitter person has changed a so sociable place into rigid and unfriendly venue. This time when I left the venue my complain to him was that for the last decade I have been a regular client on this venue, and that I have met and befriend many of the previous managers and owner, and I couldn't believe and stand that he now in the right present is messing around so badly with the place. Finally, I will like to give an advice to this person. Stop and think about choosing something that will suit you better and won't be so badly wrong for the gay scene in London. What about other location/and ambience, like old town/retired Hasting scene, where you will be more suitable to play and run any music you choose and life....


freshlyroasted
freshlyroasted
Over a year ago

something different

Something different from the usual off-the-peg gay bar look. A quiet and friendly place to relax in the afternoons. I like it.


dannilondon
dannilondon
Over a year ago

urgh!!

If you think the name is pretentious wait till you get inside. Dreadful decor, bad and over-priced drinks. "We only sell lager in two pint pitchers".,Indifferent service- with so many good bars in soho why would you bother?


legalbeagle
legalbeagle
Over a year ago

quirky

I had no idea this bar existed. Later my boyfriend told me it had been there for years! Any way, went in for a after dinner drink with a friend and like everyone else I noticed the Barbie dolls stuck to the ceiling. It seemed quite chilled and pleasant. The only thing my friend didn't like was the fact that the bar did not accept American Express. I did't like the fact that it shut at 11.30! I would have quite happily stayed there for longer! I would go back though may be not for a whole evening but I would pop my head in.


Mollykat
Mollykat
Over a year ago

Don't bother if female!

Was physically thrown out of this bar tonight. On hen night with two lesbians getting married after 22 years together. The irony is that we were being harassed by straight guys in straight bar and decided to go to the friendly society for solace. The two brides had matching joke veils which obviously offended the homophobic staff and we were made to leave. When made clear party was gay they tried to back track but damage done!!


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