Flat Whites, Wifi & Silent Community: Inside Soho’s New Work Ritual
In a city addicted to productivity, noise, and hustle, it’s the quiet places that are holding us together. Across Soho, cafés have evolved from casual coffee spots into something more essential — the unofficial workspaces of London. Here, amidst the hiss of espresso machines and the low hum of easy-listening jazz, people gather not to mingle, but to simply get things done. No name badges. No small talk. No networking.
In this exclusive piece, former Westminster strategist turned political firebrand Peter C. Barnes — whose views often reflect controversial right-leaning perspectives — turns his wry gaze away from Parliament and toward Soho’s café culture, where flat whites replace policy briefings and the unspoken rules of London life are playing out in real time. Written with sharp humour and tender honesty, he explores how these spaces have become quiet sanctuaries — and why you should think twice before asking for a teaspoon…
Marking the first International Day of Hope with music that brings us together
In a world that often feels fractured, music reminds us of what connects us. On Sunday 13 July, a colourful new street piano appeared in the heart of Soho, tucked into the courtyard of Carnaby Street’s Kingly Court. Designed by artist Yinka Ilori in partnership with Sing for Hope and The Global Goals, the piano is part of the #BeHope campaign launched to mark the first-ever International Day of Hope.
Playing the role of more than a striking installation, the piano is an open invitation to pause, reflect and take part in a global movement rooted in optimism and action. It stands for the pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals—People, Planet, Peace—and for the belief that hope, when shared, can inspire meaningful change.
Fabio Tedde aka Pianist Without Borders with the Be Hope piano, Soho | Photo credit: My Soho Times
We were introduced to this special piano not through the official launch, but through a spontaneous invitation from someone who’s made public music his life’s mission: Fabio Tedde, better known as Pianist Without Borders. Editor Kai Lutterodt shares more.
Imagine sipping your way through 20 of London’s finest bars — all without leaving a manicured private garden in central London. That’s the magic of Cocktails in the City, the UK’s leading cocktail festival, back this summer for its 10th anniversary.
Set against the historical backdrop of Bedford Square Gardens (think Bridgerton vibes), the space was transformed into a colourful fête-style celebration, complete with ribbon-draped trees, food and drink stalls, a live music stage, and a silent disco. With one weekend down and another to come (7–9 August), My Soho Times‘ editor – our girl about town – Kai Lutterodt went to soak it all in… A cocktail (or two) in hand.
With the UK currently basking in a heatwave, those typical summer showers we’ve become accustomed to feel like a distant memory. But if there’s one thing we know about British weather, it’s that it doesn’t like to be predictable — especially during festival season.
Whether you’re gearing up for festivals or a smaller local celebration, the key to enjoying every moment is being prepared for anything. From scorching sun to sudden downpours, festivals throw everything at you, and how you pack can make or break your experience.
Pride Weekend is back — and Soho is, as always, the beating heart of the celebration. Whether you’re joining the parade, dancing in the streets, or just soaking in the atmosphere, this is a weekend full of joy, visibility, community and culture.
Here’s your My Soho Times curated guide to making the most of it — from pop-ups and parades to secret quiet corners when you need a breather. Also check out our Last Min Guide to Soho Pride.
🏳️🌈 SATURDAY 5 JULY: THE PARADE + STREET CELEBRATIONS
Pride in London Parade
📍 Hyde Park Corner → Whitehall 🕛 12:00–18:00 Grab your friends and flags! London’s iconic Pride Parade features thousands of marchers, floats, and performers making their way through central London. Expect incredible energy and huge crowds. Prime viewing spots include Soho Square, Piccadilly, and Trafalgar Square.
📍Don’t miss the Pride in London Pop-Up at Walker’s Court, where you’ll find limited-edition merch, refreshing ice cream, and photo ops galore!
Beauty on demand? Yes please. Say hi to the DropGlam street team sharing the love around Soho this weekend at Pride in London. They’re promoting their one-hour beauty delivery app (for when you need that Ruby Woo asap!) — and they’re recruiting users and allies to be amongst the first to sign up! @dropglam.app
💄 Hourglass Cosmetics: The Vinyl Lounge (1 Day Only!)
📍Sounds of the Universe, 7 Broadwick Street 📅 Friday 5 July | 10am–6pm Music meets makeup at this exclusive one-day pop-up. Plus, keep an eye out for the brand’s new global ambassador, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, in town for BST Hyde Park. Enjoy:
📍 41 Lexington Street 📅 Now until Sunday 6 July Aesop Soho is transformed into a beautiful literary space, offering complimentary books by LGBTQIA+ authors, curated in partnership with Gay’s the Word and indie publishers. No purchase necessary — just the power of queer storytelling.
Nothing like a summer house party, especially one in Soho. Expect drag queens, disco beats, and seriously good cocktails. @thelittlevioletdoor
🎭 Greek Street Live – Pride Takeover
📍 Greek Street From 11:00am Saturday Start your day with a drag brunch and stay for the street party, featuring DJs, dancers and all-day celebrations in one of Soho’s most iconic lanes.
🧘 Need a Breather? We Got You.
☕ London Grand Coffee
📍 11 Warwick Street, Soho (Regent Street end of Soho) 📅 Open Monday to Saturday If the buzz gets too much, escape to this calm, coffee retreat just moments from the chaos. Great coffee (on ice too), intimate yet cosy, and free Wi-Fi — plus a few shaded seats downstairs if you need total downtime. A perfect place to regroup before heading back out. Use code “SohoTimes” for 10% off your order. @londongrandcoffee
🍰 Pride Bites: Rainbow Food Specials
Hummingbird Bakery (Wardour Street, Soho): Don’t leave without trying their range of Pride-themed cupcakes. Fluffy, colourful, and 100% Instagrammable.
BBagel Bakery Bar (Wardour Street, Soho): Taste the rainbow with BBagel Bakery’s rainbow bagel baked fresh for Pride! Available for a limited time only!
🎾 Not Just Pride: More Weekend Picks
🎾 Wimbledon on the Big Screen
📍 King’s Cross or Covent Garden 📅 All weekend Catch the tennis action with a cold drink in hand. Outdoor screens, deck chairs and big-match energy.
🎤 Gracie Abrams at BST Hyde Park
📍 Hyde Park 📅 Friday 5 July Gracie headlines at BST on the same day as the Hourglass pop-up — a perfect pre-show stop!
📅 Suggested Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Pop into Aesop’s Queer Library for a literary moment
Visit Hourglass Vinyl Lounge on Broadwick Street
Chill at London Grand Coffee or enjoy drinks at The Little Violet Door
Saturday
Pride Parade (12–6pm) — don’t forget to spot the DropGlam street team!
Greek Street Live + Carnaby Street DJs
Soho after-parties till late
Sunday
Brunch in Soho
Watch Wimbledon at King’s Cross
Take home a book from Aesop if you haven’t already
Join the Celebration
Whatever your vibe — loud, proud and on the parade route, or tucked away with an iced coffee and a queer romance novel — Soho welcomes you.
📸 Tag @mysohotimes in your weekend snaps and use #MySohoTimesPride to be featured!
A beauty experience for the senses is coming to Soho — and it’s here for one day only.
This Friday 5th July, Hourglass Cosmetics is bringing its signature glow to London’s iconic Sounds of the Universevinyl store (📍 7 Broadwick Street) with a Pride-weekend pop-up that merges music, makeup, and self-expression.
The most colourful weekend of the year is upon us – and once again, Soho is at the very heart of the celebration. With over 1 million people expected to flood into central London, Pride in London 2025 is set to be one of the biggest and boldest yet.
Whether you’re planning on marching in the parade, dancing in the streets, or relaxing in one of Soho’s secret gardens, this guide has you covered. From travel to the best spot for a rainbow bagel or a quiet coffee retreat – our Soho resident and editor, Kai Lutterodtaka The Soho Girl, shares her essential last-minute tips for doing Pride… Get your progress Pride flags out!
Twice voted the World’s No.1 DJ by DJ Magazine and widely regarded as a founding father of electronic dance music, Paul Oakenfold has taken British dance music to global heights, quite literally, from Mile End to Mount Everest. As Perfecto Records marks 35 years, editor Kai Lutterodt sits down with the legendary DJ to reflect on independence, evolution… and the iconic remixes that helped shape a generation.
Need a quick break from the city buzz? I recently joined a press trip hosted by Visit Essex that gave me a refreshing taste (literally!) of what the county has to offer – and let me tell you, Essex is not just about TOWIE and seaside chips…
Summer in Soho is anything but slow. With longer days and brighter evenings, our neighbourhood pulses with energy – from family outings and freelance gigs to festival season and jam-packed social calendars. For many locals who live, work and play here, the pace can feel more overwhelming than restorative. So how do we find space to breathe when life speeds up?
MY SOHO TIMES 