Lights Of Soho: London’s Neon ‘Members-Only’ Club
Brewer Street has been under a cool-microscope for months now, especially for the fashion set and with the Brewer Street Car Park making a name for itself as the pseudo-HQ of London Fashion Week‘s Spring 2016 runway shows. Now, Soho creatives have a new art gallery and members bar: Lights Of Soho (35 Brewer Street). With a definite nod to the neon lights associated to the sex industry that made a reputation for the neighbourhood in the 1960s and beyond, the venue carries a cheeky and playful atmosphere thanks to its taboo past. Neon artwork is curated by local London artists and does double-duty as a member’s lounge and cultural hub for the local creative community in the area. The three-floor gallery has a bar, lounge and dining area for those who want more than just art.
The members club is in good company: Recent work from artists such as Tracy Emin, Gavin Turk and the late Chris Bracey, with vintage neon signs from Soho’s past placed amongst them. “People take neon for granted but it’s a dying craft,” says Emin. “There are many new ways of lighting up the town but it’s nice to be able to see and concentrate on the old traditional methods.”
Lights of Soho is open to the general art-loving public during office hours but transforms into a member’s only club apres-five (at 6 p.m. to be exact).
This isn’t the first time that Hamish Jenkinson has created a hub for creative types. He’s also the brain behind The Department and Lights of Soho is yet another place for artists to thrive in London. It’s what he describes as “the Soho House for creative types.” And he’s keeping these artists busy networking: Jenkinson has created a cultural calendar of events offering the creative community opportunity to share and celebrate work.
Already attracting a host of individuals from creative industries such as music and art, Lights of Soho offers escape to for those wishing to either start their night, or end it with a nightcap. In no order of preference you can enjoy food and drink while being surrounding by the energetic art pieces of the wall.
With the likes of London Fashion Week taking up it’s new residency on Brewer Street, with its recent move from Somerset House back in September, the area has become a creative epicentre attracting a variety of characters both day and night. Lights of Soho takes centre stage as the new social heartbeat.
Text by: Chris Chasseaud
Images: Courtesy of Lights Of Soho