Iconic Venues From The ‘60s

A run around Soho

Warm up with a run around Soho, this route takes you past six of London’s most iconic venues from the swinging sixties. Jogging through the streets of Soho you’ll be able to take in many famous locations. The clubs included on our route were all-important to the development of the 60s.

They provided places for musicians to meet, jam and create some of the best rock, pop, jazz and R&B ever written. Thankfully some of these venues are still going strong, so after your warm-down you could pop back for a gig – you might come across the next big thing.

Bag o Nails (9 Kingly Street, Soho)
The Bag O Nails hosted an early performance from The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix and Paul McCartney were regulars and Fleetwood Mac’s John McVie proposed to fellow Fleetwood Mac-er Christine Perfect there.

The London Palladium (Argyll Street, Soho)
The variety show Sunday Night At The London Palladium saw many acts come and go, none as ground-breaking as The Beatles in 1963. They topped the bill and Beatlemania was born.

100 Club (100 Oxford Street, Soho)
Blues R&B and the Beat scene took over the 100 Club in the 60s. Recently saved from closure, the 100 Club still draws in huge acts like Muse and The White Stripes.

Ronnie Scotts (47 Frith Street, Soho)
Still thriving, Ronnie Scotts is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world. In 1969 The Who
performed their legendary rock opera Tommy for the first time in.

The Marquee (90 Wardour St, Soho)
Rod Stewart and the Yardbirds opened the Marquee with performances on the opening night in 1964. The club witnessed the rise of Hendrix, Bowie, Cream and Pink Floyd to name a few.

La Chasse (100 Wardour Street, Soho)
Sister club of The Marquee, just down the road La Chasse served alcohol when The Marquee didn’t have a license. Members included Elton John, David Bowie and Robert Plant. Yes formed at La Chasse in 1968.

Words by Emily Anderton and Brian Murnin

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