The 2i's Coffee Bar, Music venue on Old Compton Street, London, England
The 2i's Coffee Bar was a music venue located on Old Compton Street in Soho with a small stage positioned in its basement. The tight space was designed for live performances, with audiences gathered closely to watch musicians perform.
The venue opened in 1956 under the management of professional wrestlers Paul Lincoln and Ray Hunter. It remained active for about 14 years before closing its doors in 1970.
The venue served as a gathering place for young musicians and aspiring artists to perform their first shows in front of small audiences. It became an important meeting point where talent was discovered and nurtured during the early years of British rock and pop.
The former location can be found at number 59 on Old Compton Street in Soho and is marked by a green commemorative plaque. Visitors can see the plaque today, which serves as a reminder of the site's history even though the original venue no longer exists.
Two men who later became prominent music industry figures worked as waiters here: Lionel Bart went on to write musicals, and Mickie Most became a respected record producer. This connection reveals how the venue attracted young talent long before they achieved their later success.
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