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Mon / Jan 18
Party Earth Review Any love-hate relationship between England and France is hidden at Cafe Boheme, which – from the sidewalk on in – could as easily belong on a side street in Montmartre as it does in London’s hopping Soho district. Despite... ... read full review
13 Old Compton Street
London W1D 5JQ
Northern, Piccadilly Lines: Leicester Square; Central, Northern Lines: Tottenham Court Road
020 7734 0623
M–F 8am–3am, Sa 9am–3am, Su 9am–midnight
Covent Garden / Soho, London –
Any love-hate relationship between England and France is hidden at Cafe Boheme, which – from the sidewalk on in – could as easily belong on a side street in Montmartre as it does in London’s hopping Soho district.
Despite opening in the early 90s, the space has a distinctly vintage feel. The stools and booths are deep red leather, the mosaic floor is speckled black and white with the occasional missing tile, and the cozy zinc bar is frequently garnished with platters of croissants and little jars of jam.
A French coffee paired with a pastry provides a boost of caffeine and carbs for the local media workers and trendy shoppers beginning their day in the café area, while afternoons see lots of business hashed out over garlic-drenched escargot and coq au vin in the more formal dining room.
The space doesn’t truly come alive until evenings, when trendy couples and exuberant groups of gay gents share carafes of wine and classic cocktails on the patio, which provides prime people-watching opportunities long into the night.
Red-tasseled lamps switch on as stylish party girls sip Chartreuse Swizzles and Autumnal Punch, their voices growing ever louder as booming conversation and/or the weekend live music – which can vary from gypsy swing to French jazz – echoes through the room.
Sophisticated but unpretentious, Cafe Boheme’s late-night liquor license means the party can continue long after the pubs have closed. And it does, mon ami.It does.
Local Soho film and media industry types, trendy couples, posh party girls, stylish gay boys, Francophiles, area theatergoers, and anyone in need of one more cocktail after most pubs have closed, mid-20s to late 30s.
Live music on most Saturdays and Sundays from 4–6pm featuring a varied and often Latin-inspired lineup, including Brazilian samba, gypsy swing, Cuban fiesta music, British blues, and French jazz.
Small but traditional French bistro menu including Toulouse sausages, hamburgers, salmon nicoise, sea bass, coq au vin, and lemon sole meuniere. Brunch items include French toast, eggs Benedict, and duck rillette.
Breakfast offered daily 9am–noon, brunch menu offered Sa–Su noon–5pm.
Limited late-night menu available M–Sa 11:30pm–2:30am.
Breakfast £2–£11, brunch £3–£19, starters £3–£22, entrées £7–£19, desserts £6.
Beer £2.50–£3.50 or £9/jug, wine £5–£7.50/glass or £13–£50+/bottle, cocktails £8.50, champagne £7.50–£10/glass or £36–£80/bottle, coffee liqueur £6.
Trendy casual: skinny jeans, button-downs, blazers, working girl with a twist, cocktail dresses, heels.
Thursday or Friday evenings after sundown for the requisite people-watching and to get the London weekend started Parisian-style, or Saturdays and Sundays to check out the live music.
Arbutus (63-64 Frith Street) is a modern French “gastro-bistro” that attracts a similar crowd looking to spend, and eat, a little more.
Cafe Boheme User Reviews