The Hideout

Shhhh, don’t tell too many people about this great little members bar. It’s grotty and dark and weird. But that’s why I love it. You’re unlikely to find the entrance to it unless someone points it out. It’s a downstairs bar, with a tiny little outide smoking area in the basement. When this place gets busy on a Friday night, it’s one of my favourite little spots. Music is usually old classics and the atmosphere is so wonderfully friendly. Every time I’ve been there I’ve ended up talking to some wonderfully interesting people, ranging from some proper old time Soho locals, to a younger crowd who have discovered the place through word of mouth and who like something a little different. If you’re lucky enough to catch their ‘live music’ you’re in for a treat. Don’t expect amazing drinks though. They have a full bar, but nothing fancy. And the only beer is bottled Peroni. But somehow, none of that matters.

I’ve been to Trisha’s a few times now, after one of my friends who’s a member introduced us to the hidden little staircase. I was kind of intimidated the first time, until my friend pointed out her photo is on the wall! It’s usually rammed, but is a real gem of a place.
The drinks are cheap, the people are friendly and willing to talk outside their groups (I’ve had some astonishingly honest talks with complete strangers there), and the addition of a small back garden means you can even smoke — even if it does feel like a mini outdoor jail cell.
Go on – walk down the little staircase and take a peek!

Like being transported back to the 60s — apart from the old albums stuck to the ceiling it was full of hipster boys in drainpipe trousers and girls with definitely-​not-​inspired-​by-​Winehouse eyeliner. Beatles on the crackly sound system, cold Italian beers, packed to the rafters. Excellent night.

I’m not too sure what this place is called because there is no sign on the door even indicating there’s a bar here! If it wasn’t for the mean-​looking (though he’s actually quite friendly) doorman lurking about the narrow entrance you’d never know. It’s all rather secretive and mysterious — the first time I came here I half expected to walk in on the shady dealings of some gangsters! But instead, when you come downstairs you’ll feel like you just walked into somebody’s house party, it’s got such a buzz and it’s jammed full of people. It’s sort of grotty but it’s got a really cool atmosphere, you get the feeling somebody just converted their basement flat to a bar. There are posters and pictures on all the walls, most of them depict either the pope (!) or various well-​known mafia figures. On some Saturdays there will be a four piece jazz band squeezed into one corner playing some fast-​paced tunes. Amazing.