Friends Like These: Meet The Soho Flaneurs | My Soho Times

From the French word meaning ‘to stroll around’, you’ll most likely spot these Soho regulars in their usual cafe hangouts – Bar Italia, Bar Bruno and My Place, amongst others – catching up with locals, and even posing for the ‘gram. Fashionable and distinctively cool, they have a unique bond based on their connection to Soho. Join editor Kai Lutterodt and acclaimed photographer Darren Russell on a walk down memory lane with The Soho Flâneurs…

A catch up with ‘the gang’ at Bar Italia | Photo: Kai Lutterodtodt

BRIAN STEWART AKA SOHO HOBO

“I first came to Soho in the early 1970s. I used to get a red bus rover, it was about ten bob and first stop was Soho, to look in the sex shops and get chased out and see the brasses in the doorways. Never escaped since! Met this lot of reprobates from being in the manor and Instagram via our interest in film, music and clobber.”

GEORGE SKEGGS aka SOHO GEORGE

“I first arrived in Soho in 1957/8 attracted to the new rock n roll/ skiffle and Jazz scene, which had just exploded at that time. Clothes then and now are still an important part of my life. I design my clothes which are made by two Soho tailor friends of mine. I usually meet most people l know in either Bar Italia, Frith Street (established 1949) or My Place Coffee bar in Berwick Street.”

‘BIG AL’ GROVES

“Members of ‘the Gang’ and I kept meeting at different functions and we all became friends. I like to be well dressed as I’m ‘Old Skool’, and have my own unique style with my visible tattoos. I was always in Soho in the early 80’s… I’m glad there still exists some great characters and places.”

TOMMY LUCY

“I’m a London Black Cab Driver and an East End boy, but I’ve been coming to Soho for 40 years. Even as a young man I loved the atmosphere, the buzz and naughtiness of Soho. From an early age I’d always come for coffee and watch the world go by (and you do see the world in Soho). There is a special crowd of us that meet in Bar Italia on Frith Street… We are all so different in personality and style – but it works!”

DAVID TOSSELL AKA THE DAPPER CHELSEA GUY

“I’m also known as The Dapper Chelsea guy. I’m a retired financial advisor. Like most of the guys, we were all friends on Instagram before we started meeting up and going on days out. My style is rather traditional with the odd flourish and twist, although I do like to look for bargains in charity shops. My connection with Soho is because of football, I would always go to Bar Italia on my way to watch Chelsea play.”

ALAN OF W

“I’m an East End boy born and bred, with a large slice of Soho influence thrown in. The excitement of that mysterious, glamorous world below Oxford Street has always been a massive part of my life. The late, great Marquee Club on Wardour Street was THE music venue. Bar Italia of course is always a great meeting point, and that’s how I got friendly with the rest of the gang. My personal style? Well, not sure if you can ever accurately describe yourself, so I’ll just say ‘Modernist Mod.’“

FLASH AKA THE URBAN DANDY

“I’ve been coming to Soho since I was a teenager. Think I know London by the second hand and vintage shops, I do like a mooch around them. Now this band of crazy friends, I know them from hanging in Soho and social media. Over the years we all gelled and it hasn’t changed. I really do think we’ll all be friends till the very end.”

ALFIE SYKES AKA BERMONDSEY VIKING

“My connection with Soho is like the salmon; always returning to its pubs, coffee shops, cafes and bars as a creature of habit. My Father, Bruce Robertson was one of the original Soho Samurai who drank in the French House. As a child I’d shelter for cover inside my Dad’s Loden coat while waiting for a 24 bus on Charing Cross road as we ventured home to Gospel Oak. The coat is my ‘Thor’s hammer’ as my father’s spirit is always with me whenever I sport it.”

JONNIE TOO BAD

“I arrived in Soho aged 12 for the first time, the year was 1959. I was fascinated by a the sexy and attractive women that existed in the doorways, and the street corners – they all seemed to have exotic names, and models as their occupation! My style? You’re either born with it, or you don’t have it. You can’t buy it.”

BIANCA AKA SOHO SHOWGIRL

“I am an artist and performer. During the lockdowns I was performing in the streets around the West End, fan dancing, playing fire tuba and performing in a giant holographic shoe. I did these performances at least once a week as a one woman protest to highlight those forgotten and excluded. This was also my exercise and hopefully entertained the few locals who were still in the area. It was like a ghost town or a film set. I was really the last showgirl standing in Soho!”