Dec 30, 2024

The Toucan London

Soho's Guinness godfather

"With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint."

There are a lot of pints of Guinness in Soho but only the Toucan is Soho's Guinness spot. Knowing where to get the best Guinness in the city is a badge of honour to some Londoners, with every pub serving, but very few getting it just right.

The Toucan is one such spot, with its densely-packed and minuscule bar more akin to a pint factory because, despite its size, crowds will spill out into the street to the far side of the road at busy times to get their fill.

On the radar of famous faces (Jason Mamoa was spotted here recently) it has even featured heavily in the film Last Night in Soho, indicators of just how engrained in the fabric of the area this boozer really is. With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is every part the ideal spot to take a moment in the hustle and bustle of Soho and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.

With countless food spots and even Soho Square Gardens nearby, the Toucan often feels like the central point in so many of the weird, wonderful nights people are having in Soho at that moment -- for some its the first stop, for others it's the last, but know for a fact that this next Guinness will be perfect.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

About this spot

19 Carlisle Street

Guinnes:

£

6

02074374123

Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - 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

Unwined

Unwined – With a glass of wine

As an independent wine bar their focus is on stocking wines from smaller producers, lesser known regions and grape varieties, and also female winemakers.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
The-Penny-Drop

The Penny Drop – Proper coffee in Fitzrovia

The team at the Penny Drop are real coffee geeks in the best possible sense of the word and go to great lengths sourcing the best coffee beans out there.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Fortitude-bakehouse

Fortitude bakehouse – Sourdough enthusiasts heaven

If you arrive in the morning you’ll find their popular morning buns with a variety of fillings, sticky buns, beignets, and more!

024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Rondo-La-Cave

Rondo La Cave – A hip wine bar

Rondo La Cave is a hip wine bar situated in the basement of the Hoxton hotel and has a charming rustic interior with dim lighting.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Milk-cafe

Milk cafe – Best brunch in London

The menu has all the brunch classics you’d expect and also some more unusual offerings as well as weekend specials that change regularly...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Lambs-Conduit-Street

Lamb's Conduit Street – Bloomsbury's hidden gem

Quiet yet somehow buzzing, classy yet unpretentious, central yet hidden. What impresses me most is the concentration of great spots in such a small area.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Bloomsbury-Farmers-Market

Bloomsbury Farmers' Market – A mid week treat

The Bloomsbury farmers market is a small market for fresh produce and lots of different food stalls held every Thursday on Bloomsbury square.

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

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Southwark-Brewing-Company

Southwark Brewing Company – A special spot

Southwark Brewing company has a range of traditional beers such as ales, IPAs, porter, and bitter - all really fresh and available on draft or bottle.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Museum-Lates

Museum Lates – Enjoy museums without the crowds

Museum Lates is a concept that is essentially a late-night opening when you can explore the exhibitions without the day-trip crowds getting in your way.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
Stir-Coffee-Brixton

Stir Coffee Brixton – Coffee with a local vibe

Stir Coffee Brixton is a lovely neighbourhood coffee shop located on the corner of Brixton Hill and Arodene Road which has a very chilled vibe.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Angelina

Ivanova

Jan 21, 2025
House-of-Hodge

House of Hodge – Books, books and more books

It was set up in 2009 by Highbury resident and cat enthusiast Doreen Rolph, as a place to raise funds for local animal welfare organisations.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Madeline

Gowers

Jan 20, 2025
Brunei-Gallery

Brunei Gallery – Art from across the globe

Past topics include tent-making in Islamic Cairo, recycling methods in Japan and underground pop culture in ‘50s to ‘80s Ghana.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Madeline

Gowers

Jan 20, 2025