Apr 3, 2025

The Social London

Cocktails and 70s interiors

""The Social" is the sanctuary you'll be craving after your walk on London's Oxford St. This bar/restaurant is reminiscent of a Big Lebowski film set..."

The first time I stepped in to The Social I could not believe I hadn't had the pleasure of visiting previously... As more and more of my friends have come to realise I write articles about the hidden treasures of London I'm put under more and more pressure to pluck somewhere interesting out of thin air wherever I am in London. Most of the time I relish this and can expertly duck us in to a cool wine bar or backstreet restaurant but there are still a few areas of London where I am short of ideas!

Oxford Street, it has to be said is a one stop shopping heaven/nightmare. Whichever way you look at it your tired feet will at some point give up on you and you'll be craving a sanctuary... Established by Heavenly Records at the end of the 90s - The Social is it. With a colour scheme reminiscent of The Big Lebowski film set and a - just on the right side of kooky - cocktail list featuring some classics and new faves (but sadly no White Russian).

The wooden clad interior and fab brown leather booths take you a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and you can even grab one of the gourmet Hot Dogs if you need to seriously refuel. Feel free to get carried away as most nights they open the basement club for nights including Hip Hop Karaoke!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

5 Little Portland Street

Hot Dogs:

£

6

2076364992

Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

A tiny urban jungle

Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Geranium

The Barbican Centre’s best kept secret

Shelves run all around the edge of the shop, piled high with upmarket store cupboard essentials in addition to handmade soaps and eco-friendly products.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Sutton House

Hackney’s hidden Tudor gem

Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Eel Pie Island

An artists’ colony in the Thames

It was once the site of the Eel Pie Hotel, a 19th-century guesthouse turned jazz venue and now it’s been transformed into a hippie artists’ colony...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Leighton House

An architectural masterpiece

The domed Arab Hall – a glittering chamber inspired by the inside of the Castello della Zisa in Palermo – is what most visitors come for.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

The Cosmic House

A postmodernist masterpiece

Features of particular interest include the Architectural Library, the Solar Stair, a central spiral staircase with 52 steps for each week of the year...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Morocco Bound

Bermondsey’s secret cultural hub

Tucked away in Bermondsey, Morocco Bound does it all, it is at once a bookshop, café, co-working space, beer bar and intimate events venue.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

The Phoenix Garden

A secret leafy paradise

The Phoenix Garden is remarkably inconspicuous: a bombsite turned car park turned community garden hidden behind high hedges and wrought iron railings.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

London Fields Lido

Hackney riviera

"London Fields Lido" is for those rare days when it's actually hot and sunny. Beat the crowds, head over to this colourful pool and meet me there!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 25, 2025

Caravan

The traveler's choice

"Caravan" London is one of my favourite restaurants for having one of my favourite meals of the day: brunch. It's easy to savour every last bit here and...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 20, 2025

Chuku's

North London Nigerian tapas

"Chuku's" in North London serves Nigerian tapas that invites you to 'chop, chat and chill!'

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Claire

Creighton

Apr 19, 2025

Eltham Palace and Gardens

Art Deco haven

In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ellie

Swain

Apr 6, 2025

Heading to London?

222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to London?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

222 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
19
Filters