Greek Street is a street in

Soho Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century. The area was develop ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, leading south from Soho Square to

Shaftesbury Avenue Shaftesbury Avenue is a major road in the West End of London, named after The 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. It runs north-easterly from Piccadilly Circus to New Oxford Street, crossing Charing Cross Road at Cambridge Circus. From Piccadilly Cir ...

. The street is famous for its restaurants and cosmopolitan nature.

History

It is thought to take its name from a

Greek church The term Greek Orthodox Church (Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία, ''Ellinorthódoxi Ekklisía'', ) has two meanings. The broader meaning designates "the entire body of Orthodox (Chalcedonian) Christianity, sometimes also call ...

that was built in 1677 in adjacent Crown Street, now part of the west side of

Charing Cross Road Charing Cross Road is a street in central London running immediately north of St Martin-in-the-Fields to St Giles Circus (the intersection with Oxford Street) and then becomes Tottenham Court Road. It leads from the north in the direction of ...

. The church is depicted in William Hogarth's 'Noon' from '' Four Times of the Day''. Although the street has several houses from the 18th century and earlier, it is mainly 19th-century in appearance. No. 1 Greek Street is the

House of St Barnabas The House of St Barnabas, at 1 Greek Street, Soho, is a Grade I Listed Georgian building in London notable for its rococo plasterwork interiors and for other architectural features. Since 1862 the House has been run as a charity to help those w ...

, built in 1746. It became the offices of the Westminster Commissioner for Works for Sewers in 1811. This is where Chief Engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette started to work on the construction of the London sewerage system. By 1862 the house had been taken over by The House of Charity, which was established in 1846 to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people.

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...

used the house and gardens as a model for the London lodgings of Dr Manette and Lucy in '' A Tale of Two Cities''. There has been a public house known as Pillars of Hercules at no. 7 since 1733. The current pub building sports some artwork by

Invader ''InVader'' is the fourth album by Finnish glam metal band Reckless Love, released on 4 March 2016 through Spinefarm Records. Track listing All songs written by Olli Herman, Pepe Reckless, and Ikka Wirtanen, unless otherwise noted. Reception Wr ...

and was long favoured by many figures in the London literary scene, including

Martin Amis Martin Louis Amis (born 25 August 1949) is a British novelist, essayist, memoirist, and screenwriter. He is best known for his novels ''Money'' (1984) and ''London Fields'' (1989). He received the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his memoir '' ...

, Ian Hamilton,

Julian Barnes Julian Patrick Barnes (born 19 January 1946) is an English writer. He won the Man Booker Prize in 2011 with ''The Sense of an Ending'', having been shortlisted three times previously with '' Flaubert's Parrot'', ''England, England'', and '' Art ...

and

Ian McEwan Ian Russell McEwan, (born 21 June 1948) is an English novelist and screenwriter. In 2008, ''The Times'' featured him on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945" and ''The Daily Telegraph'' ranked him number 19 in its list of th ...

. Indeed,

Clive James Clive James (born Vivian Leopold James; 7 October 1939 – 24 November 2019) was an Australian critic, journalist, broadcaster, writer and lyricist who lived and worked in the United Kingdom from 1962 until his death in 2019.Freemasons Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

met. The Ancient Grand Lodge of England was organized there on 17 July 1751. The Coach and Horses pub (also known as Norman's), famous for the rudeness of its former landlord Norman Balon, is at no. 29, at the corner with Romilly Street. The fortnightly editorial lunch of ''

Private Eye ''Private Eye'' is a British fortnightly satire, satirical and current affairs (news format), current affairs news magazine, founded in 1961. It is published in London and has been edited by Ian Hislop since 1986. The publication is widely r ...

'' is held in the Coach and Horses. There has been a public house of that name on the site since the 1720s. No. 47 is known for having provided temporary lodgings for Giacomo Casanova, famed

Venetian Venetian often means from or related to: * Venice, a city in Italy * Veneto, a region of Italy * Republic of Venice (697–1797), a historical nation in that area Venetian and the like may also refer to: * Venetian language, a Romance language s ...

adventurer and author, in 1764. No. 49, on the west side of Greek Street, was the home of the legendary folk music club Les Cousins. No. 58 was a temporary lodging for Thomas De Quincey in 1802, as described in Part I of '' Confessions of an English Opium-Eater''. The noted

Victorian Victorian or Victorians may refer to: 19th century * Victorian era, British history during Queen Victoria's 19th-century reign ** Victorian architecture ** Victorian house ** Victorian decorative arts ** Victorian fashion ** Victorian literature ...

sheet music Sheet music is a handwritten or printed form of musical notation that uses List of musical symbols, musical symbols to indicate the pitches, rhythms, or chord (music), chords of a song or instrumental Musical composition, musical piece. Like ...

lithographer Lithography () is a planographic method of printing originally based on the immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface. It was invented in 1796 by the German a ...

Alfred Concanen Alfred Concanen (1835 – 10 December 1886) was, for over twenty-five years, one of the leading lithographers of the Victorian era, best remembered for his illustrated sheet music covers for songs made popular by famous music hall performers ...

was living at no. 66 with his wife and children in 1861. In the southern part of the street (past Old Compton Street), no. 28 is the site of Maison Bertaux, a renowned French

pâtisserie A () is a type of Italian, French or Belgian bakery that specializes in pastries and sweets, as well as a term for such food items. In some countries, it is a legally controlled title that may only be used by bakeries that employ a licensed ...

, founded in 1871. Owned by sisters Michele and Tania Wade, it is known as the headquarters of the artist Martin Firrell. The upstairs tea room shows work by comedian and artist

Noel Fielding Noel Fielding (; (born 21 May 1973) is an English actor and comedian. He is best known for his work with The Mighty Boosh comedy troupe alongside Julian Barratt in the 2000s, and more recently as a co-presenter of ''The Great British Bake Off'' ...

and members of Icelandic band

Sigur Rós Sigur Rós () is an Icelandic post-rock band from Reykjavík, active since 1994. The band comprises singer and guitarist Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm, and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Known for their ethereal sound, fron ...

, among others. It is also the home of the Maison Bertaux Theatre Club, which performs within the tiny confines of the shop. The street is the setting for the 1930 film ''

Greek Street Greek Street is a street in Soho, London, leading south from Soho Square to Shaftesbury Avenue. The street is famous for its restaurants and cosmopolitan nature. History It is thought to take its name from a Greek church that was built in 1 ...

'', directed by Sinclair Hill and starring

Sari Maritza Sari Maritza (born Dora Patricia Detring-Nathan; 17 March 1910 – July 1987) was a British film actress of the early 1930s. Early years Born Dora Patricia Detring-Nathan in Tianjin, China, Maritza was the daughter of Major Walter Si ...

and

William Freshman William Freshman (1 November 1902, in Sydney, Australia – 1980 in London, England) was an Australian-born actor, scriptwriter and director. He moved to England as a child and worked in the British film industry, writing over 20 screenplays an ...

. In the 1971 film ''

Villain A villain (also known as a "black hat" or "bad guy"; the feminine form is villainess) is a stock character, whether based on a historical narrative or one of literary fiction. ''Random House Unabridged Dictionary'' defines such a character a ...

'', the crime lord Vic Dakin ( Richard Burton) recommends Greek Street as a venue of prostitution. "Try the Manhattan Club in Greek Street... lot of 'sunburnt' girls there... for twenty quid they'll do anything... enjoy yourself!" "Hot Neon", a song featured in the 1976 British TV series ''

Rock Follies ''Rock Follies'' (together with its sequel, ''Rock Follies of '77'') was a musical drama shown on British television in the 1970s. The storyline followed the ups and downs of a fictional female rock band called the Little Ladies, as they struggl ...

'', begins: "She writhes in her bed/ In her sweltering room/ In Greek Street/ She tosses and moans/ And her glistening sweat/ Stains the silk sheets/ She is dreaming of…/ Hot neon".

Former occupants

Trade-card 'Sir Hans Sloane's Milk Chocolate', Wellcome Collection

* No. 9: Turk's Head Tavern * Nos. 12–13: Josiah Wedgwood (as pottery warehouse and showroom) * No. 16: Le Beat Route (club in the 1980s) * No. 17:

Crab Tree Club The Crab Tree Club was a nightclub in Greek Street, Soho, London, that was established by the painter Augustus John in April 1914 with the financial support of Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Baron Howard de Walden, Thomas Scott-Ellis (Lord Howard de Wal ...

* No. 18: The Establishment Club * No. 20: Hopkins Purvis & Sons,

colour Color (American English) or colour (British English) is the visual perceptual property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. Color categories and physical specifications of color are associ ...

merchants * No. 40: Soho House * No. 47: Giacomo Casanova * No. 49: Les Cousins * No. 58: Thomas De Quincey * No. 66:

In the present day

Greek Street is known for its selection of restaurants and cafes, which currently include a Hungarian restaurant (''

The Gay Hussar The Gay Hussar was a celebrated Hungarian restaurant located at 2 Greek Street, Soho, central London, England. It was established in 1953 and closed in 2018. History Victor Sassie was the founder of The Gay Hussar restaurant in 1953. Sassi ...

'' at No. 2), an oriental

organic Organic may refer to: * Organic, of or relating to an organism, a living entity * Organic, of or relating to an anatomical organ Chemistry * Organic matter, matter that has come from a once-living organism, is capable of decay or is the product ...

vegetarian Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism m ...

restaurant, a

Thai Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode block ...

restaurant, a

pizzeria A pizzeria is a restaurant focusing on pizza. As well as pizza, dishes at pizzerias can include kebab, salads and pasta. Many pizzerias offer take-away, where the customer orders their food either in advance or at the restaurant and then take ...

, a traditional

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

restaurant, an Italian restaurant and a Moroccan and Lebanese restaurant. There is also a gallery, a whisky shop, several bars and some offices. At number 48 is L'Escargot, a

Michelin-starred The Michelin Guides ( ) are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments. The acquisition or loss of a ...

restaurant. There are also several "walk-ups" (providers of legal prostitution) along the street. The street crosses

Manette Street Manette Street is a small street in the Soho area of London, linking the Charing Cross Road to Greek Street. Dating from the 1690s, and formerly named Rose Street, it is now named after the fictional character of Dr Manette in Charles Dickens' ...

, Bateman Street, Old Compton Street and Romilly Street.

Current occupants

* No. 1:

* No. 2:

* No. 3: Milroy's of Soho * No. 5: 68 and Boston * No. 6: Gamma Gamma * No. 7: Pillars of Hercules * No. 9: Jazz After Dark * No. 10: 10 Greek Street * No. 11: BiBimBap * Nos. 12–13: Miabella * No. 13A: Bar San Valentino (Valentino Cafe) * No. 15: Westend Films * No. 17: Be At One Cocktail Bar * No. 18: Zebrano * No. 20: Endor Productions * Nos. 23–24: Maison Touareg Restaurant * No. 25: The Three Greyhounds (Public House) * No. 26: Pop-up Shop (varying short-term occupants) * No. 28:

Maison Bertaux Maison Bertaux is a French pâtisserie in Greek Street, Soho, London. The shop began in 1871, making it the oldest pâtisserie in London. Maison Bertaux Maison Bertaux was founded in 1871 by a French communard from Paris named Monsieur Bertau ...

* No. 29: Coach and Horses * No. 34: Viet Pho * Nos. 35–36: Yming * No. 48: L'Escargot * No. 49: Club49 * No. 50: Union Private Members Club * No. 51: Trattoria Da Aldo * No. 53: Thirst Bar * No. 54: Chin Chin Club * No. 55: Lick * No. 57: The New Evaristo Club * No. 58: Balls and Company

References

External links

No 1 Greek Street in the Survey of London

Greek Street in the Survey of London

Greek Street in Flickr
{{Restaurants in London Shopping streets in London Restaurant districts and streets in England Streets in the City of Westminster Streets in Soho