The 2i's Coffee Bar, Music venue on Old Compton Street, London, England
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (City of Westminster).
56 Dean Street
54 m
Apollo Theatre
120 m
Gielgud Theatre
95 m
Sondheim Theatre
68 m
Wong Kei
116 m
Raymond Revuebar
92 m
St Anne's Church
35 m
Cinema Blue, Dean Street
98 m
19, Gerrard Street W1
116 m
22, Romilly Street W1
100 m
2-6, Meard Street W1
101 m
74, Wardour Street W1
77 m
13-21 Meard Street
77 m
67 and 68 Dean Street
91 m
18, Gerrard Street W1
117 m
63, Old Compton Street W1
9 m
39 And 40, Frith Street W1
118 m
21, Romilly Street W1
94 m
12, Brewer Street W1
90 m
62, Dean Street W1
68 m
48, Dean Street W1
79 m
1-7, Meard Street W1
78 m
37 And 38, Frith Street W1
118 m
69 and 70 Dean Street
112 m
68, Old Compton Street
25 m
9 And 11, Meard Street W1
80 m
31, Old Compton Street W1
96 m
29, Old Compton Street W1
106 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes