Things to do in Londons Soho district, Explore and eat your way round Soho with these Soho London day out tips

London is diverse and everchanging and also the perfect day out. Read this day out guide to on what to do in Soho London before you hop off of the underground. If you want to know the best things to do in Soho London such as what to eat in Soho and where to drink, read on. These Soho London day out tips take in all this area has to offer. Take a walking tour of this urban area and discover how to make the most of your time in Londons soho district.

So what is it with soho?

The Colourful Soho grid of streets are buzzing with Londoners having a  good time. There are many side roads full of interesting bars and restaurants. The narrow alleyways and quiet areas offer a buzz not seen anywhere else in London. Soho is famous for having had many famous faces in its streets. There is still a sleazy reputation to some of it, with a splattering of sex shops and strip clubs. But Soho is however still up and coming and still where everyone wants to be seen.

Soho is also known for its risqué vibe but in a sexy way too. You will find many of  gay and lesbian bars here alongside many others. There are swanky bars and eateries popping up everywhere and it is host to pride festival year after year. There is also an annual fair in Soho which even holds a waiters race! The Soho village fete is held every June in Wardour Street and promises to be bigger and better every year. You can not deny you will find something here any day of the year.

If you are a tourist there are plenty of Hotels in Soho so you can stay right in the heart of all of the action. In London it is sometimes nice to have an idea of where you are going so I’ve set up this handy itinerary of some places you can visit whilst you are staying in the area.

With so many things to do here you can skip some and take your time or simply cram it all in, so here are my things to do in Soho London day out tips.

Why not catch a show when you are in London with a cheap London Lottery ticket?

Accessing and getting around Soho London

Getting around Londons Soho is super easy you can walk around it in just a few hours depending on what you wish to stop for. There are a few underground stations surrounding Soho so it is easy to get too. Choose which station to start from and then you can tailor make your day. The Soho area has four tube stations on its perimeter all of which are within a few minutes walk.

• Leicester Square
• Tottenham court Road
• Piccadilly circus
• Oxford Circus

The Nearest Rail Station to the Soho District is Charing Cross

The bus routes for the Soho area are Routes: 9, 13, 15, 19, 23, 24, 29, 38, 139, 153, 176, and the RV1

Leicester Square is just outside of soho and a good place to start. It is also good to start here if you need to get some theatre tickets. Leicester Square is the heart of theatre land and film land. This is where all of the film premieres take place and the official London ticket booth is.

You could also start your tour of Soho at Tottenham court road, Piccadilly circus or Oxford street.

You can pretty much do anything in Soho and normally do not need to book. There is a mountain of shops, restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas and unusual places to go in London.

If I am heading to Soho on a day out I don’t normally plan it. I like to wander around the Soho district taking it in and checking out how the locals live. For more Soho London days out tips read on.

Find unusual places in Soho

There are some amazing and unusual places to go in Soho London. If you are a Harry Potter fan then Minalima is a must. This is situated in between Leicester station and Tottenham court road in Greek street. MinaLima is A fabulous museum and shop for fantastical Beasts fans and Harry Potter fans alike.

Soho Food and eats

London Soho’s food varies and there is so much choice from different cultures and plenty of cake shops! The whole area including Carnaby street area has a wide choice of restaurants. One of my new found favourites is Ceru a turkish restaurant which uses authentic ingredients and cooking methods. You will also find an array of places that offer bottomless brunches in London which are always one of my favourite things to do. Of course only  stones throw away is China town with its many Restaurants another perfect choice for lunch or dinner when you are in the area.

More Soho Eats

Bodega negra is a fantastic mexican in Old Compton street Soho. The outside of the restaurant  is an eyeopener ( think Soho peep show ) and you have to book it in advance. The other side of this restaurant is a cafe style Mexican more like street food in Moor street and you experience similar food without having to book so far in advance. You could also try some Indian specialities in Dishoom or Tamarind Kitchen or try some French Cuisine in Pierre Victoria at the top of Dean street or its sister restaurant Prix Fixe at the start.

If you are a meat eater you may love to visit Blacklock Soho with its award winning Sunday roasts. Blacklock Soho is a restaurant in what used to be an old brothel in Windmill street. Now it is a trendy and lively restaurant and without the sleazy hidden past.

For more fabulous Soho food you can head towards Kingly street you will find even more choice here. Kingly court is a fabulous undercover area over three stories with a plethora of restaurants. Including the fabulous Darjeeling express supper club.

Obica Mozzarella Bar is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Poland street where you can experience fresh mozzarella flown in from Italy three times a week. There is even a retaurant in Londons soho where you can press a button for Champagne in Bob Bob ricard!

Where to Shop in Soho

Shopping should also be top on your list for Soho London. There are plenty of shops in and around Soho. Also bear in mind that Regents street and Oxford street are a stones throw away too.

Of course you can not miss the iconic Liberty of London which  stands proud on the corner of Soho’s Great Marlborough street. This shop is a must to visit as it is just as spectacular inside as out.

Carnaby street has some quirky flagship stores including Vans, Irregular Choice and Adidas.

Vintage shops feature alot throughout Soho London, My favourite is Beyond Retro Vintage thrift shop in Great Marlborough street. For your designer vintage pieces you should also  head to Reign vintage in Berwick street.

Regent street is also on the border of Soho with its famous Hamleys toy store. There is  also do Regents Streets traffic free Sundays here.

For some of the best Make up and Beauty shops in Covent Garden check them out here!

Pretty parks in Soho

Soho even has some greenery in the form of two pretty parks in Soho. Soho Square and Golden square sit nestled in Soho. All around the parks are  restaurants and bars close by. These two soho parks offer a bit of solace in the summer should you wish to sit in the sunshine on a picnic bench and take in the atmosphere.

Evening vibes and cocktails in Soho

Some of my favourite bars and night life are in the heart of Soho including one of the top bars in the world Bar Termini. Bar Termini Soho is a bar just like you would find in the heart of Venice but it is in Old Compton street serving authentic venetian cocktails. Another great hidden cocktail bar is The Experimental Cocktail bar in Gerrard St Chinatown. Hidden behind a brown door you would never know what awaits you inside this speak easy bar.

If dancing is what you are looking for in soho try some music or an event in the famous Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club

Graphic bar in Golden square is great to pop in to anytime of day a stylish bar serving cocktails and music with a DJ by the night.  100 Wardour street is another trendy bar in the heart of Wardour street soho. During the day grab a snack and a drink or play pool. In the evening it is the the place to be with more cocktails, dancing and late night trendy vibes.

Soho even has some themed bars in its midst including Cahoots a secret bar with a london underground theme and a 1940s atmosphere. They also have a cocktail bar in Kingly court and a ticket hall and control room for drinks too!

Opposite Cahoots you will find another hidden cocktail bar called Disrepute another underground speak easy bar.

Have your cake and eat it in Soho

Maitre Choux  probably make the best choux buns I have ever seen and you can find them in Soho.  If you want to find a cute French cafe with fresh cream cakes then you should head over to Maison Bertaux for pure indulgence! Not only that but Maison Bertaux is a picture perfect shop too great for instagram lovers. If its doughnuts your are after then head over to Doughnut Time on Shaftesbury Avenue.

See more places to eat in my London restaurant theatre guide here

Theatre land in Soho

Soho has many theatre’s and some great shows to see. The amazing Disney’s Mary Poppins is at the Prince Edward theatre and is a must see. Harry Potter is also playing  at the Palace theatre and there are many more shows in the area. Check out my guide to getting theatre tickets on the cheap in London you may pick up a bargain! Head over to the main TKTS booth in Leicester Square to get some cheap tickets. Alternatively you can also try your luck at a London theatre lottery ticket. 

These are the London theatres you will find in Soho

• The Dominion Theatre
• Soho Theatre
• The London Palladium
• The Pheonix Theatre
• The Prince Edward Theatre
• The Palace Theatre
• Gielgud Theatre
• Sondheim Theatre
• The Ambassadors theatre

Leicester Square “Scenes in the Square” bronze statues.

Just Launched in Leicester Square in February 2020 is the new “scenes in the square” statues bronze film statues. You can now visit some of the nation’s best-loved characters and iconic film scenes as they’re brought to life in Leicester Square which is the London’s home of film.

These “Scenes in the Square”  feature some of our most loved film character cast in bronze. Each one is immortalised in bronze in and around Leicester Square. Some  these of these will be interactive and are also some brought to life in the evening through lighting. 

You can find  DC’s iconic Superman on the roof of the ocean cinema and wonderwoamn bursting out of wall. Gene Kelly from Singin’ in the Rain is swing from a lamppost in the square and and Mary Poppins is flying down with her umbrella. Bugs Bunny and his carrots are near the TKTS booth and Paddington Bear is eating sandwiches, happily on a park bench. Mr Bean is also sitting on a park bench waiting to start a conversation and the legendary comics Laurel and Hardy are balancing on a plank on the rook of the Ticket booth.

So next time you need to know where to go in London refer to my Soho London day out tips.

You can use this handy map of things to do in Soho London to guide you to the best Food, Soho dancing and good vibes in this trendy area of London.

Thanks for reading my Soho London days out tips I hope yo enjoy meandering around this fabulous part of London.

This is sponsored post with all views are my own.

D x