Soho Gangster Tour: Experience the Exciting Sixties from an Insider
4.7
6 Ratings
Greater London
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of 1960s Soho with our Gangster Tour. Hear captivating stories from an insider who lived and worked in the area, surrounded by mod culture, gangsters, and vibrant nightlife.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- The London Palladium - We stop outside this theatre famous in the 1960’s/70’s for Sunday Night at the London Palladium and we also look at the plaque to Brian Epstein the manager of the Beatles
- Courthouse Hotel - We stop outside the stage door to the London Palladium to look at the many famous face who have appeared here. Then move along to the Courthouse Hotel which at one time was Great Marlborough St’s Magistrates court where many famous face were tried for drug charges and other offences
- Carnaby Street - Entering Carnaby Street we stop to talk about the many gangsters who were in soho over the years right from the 1920’s with people like Darby Sabini, Billy Kimber (Peaky Blinders) Billy Hill, Jack ‘Spot’ Comer, The Messina Bros etc
- 50 Carnaby St - Many clubs have stood here over the years right from 1930’s until 1970’s
- Spirit of Soho Mural - this show the many famous and infamous people who have lived in Soho From Cassonova and Mozart to George Melly, Jeffery Bernard, Brendan Behan and Johnnie Dankworth.
- John Snow - Here is a replica pump outside the pub named after John Snow recognized as the first British epidemiologist who solved the mystery of a cholera outbreak here in 1854 which had already killed 500 people
- Walker’s Court - Here stood Raymond’s Revue Bar the first place in Soho where stripper could move once naked. Paul Raymond also was a published of men’s magazines Men Only, Mayfair and escort and a property magnate worth
- Wardour Street - Here stood the Flamingo Club where a who’s who of British and American Rock and pop stars flocked in 1960’s-70’s
- Gerrard Street - From the Boulogne Restaurant, a hostess club at Wardour St end,to no 15, where the Kray twins open their El Morrocco club after their first central London club Esmeralder’s barn in Kensington bak to 1920’s and Kate Merricks (the Nightclub Queen) 43 Club at number 43 this street has been full of Clubs and gangsters over the years
- The French House - Opposite The French House we will further discuss the Kray Twins and their relationship with Lord Boothby
- Green Plaque:n2i’s Coffee Bar - The birthplace of British Rock & Roll run by a wrestler Dr Death here many future stars were discovered from 1960 onwards Tommy Steel, Cliff Richards & the Shadows, Screaming Lord Sutch and many others, now a great Fish & Chip restaurant Poppies!
- Frith Street - Looking down we can see Ronnie Scotts cLub still here today although the great man and his wife Cleo Laine are sadly now gone.
- Greek Street - On the corner with Old Compton St we will discuss the Krays and the murder of Jack the Hat and the Mad Axman Frank Mitchell, Freddie Foreman, Ronnie Knight ( Barbara Windsor’s 1st husband) and the murder of Alfredo Zomperelli
- 58 Greek St - The last stop where we will discuss police corruption in 1960’s-70’s Bernie Silvers top dog here at the time, Frank Mifsud who ran most of the doorbell flats.Commander Drury of Scotland Yard his relationship with pron baron Jimmy Humpheries and his wife Rusty Gaynor. We will end the tour here it is a five minute walk from either Tottenham Court Rd Tube Station (Central/Northern/ Elizabeth lines) or Leicester Sq TubeStation (Piccadilly/ Northern lines)
What's Included
- Guided walking tour of Soho
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Tea and coffee
- Bottled water
- Snacks
Additional Information
An excursion guided by an individual who resided or worked in the vicinity during the mod and the flower power eras in the 1960s and 1970s, when Soho was abuzz with mobsters, corrupt law enforcement, vogue, clubs, nightlife, and cafes! I was personally affiliated with numerous folks and partook in these events during those days! This empowers me to provide extensively detailed information regarding how exhilarating Soho was!
- Unsuitable for under 18’s
Location
ICE - International Currency Exchange
Oxford Street
Outside the exit of Oxford Circus Tube Station Argyll St Exit, on the corner of Argyll St
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(6 Ratings)
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1 star
Experience542184
Mar 19, 2024
Gangster Bus Tour - The gangster tour was fantastic. The tour guides were very knowledgable and funny at the same time and everyone one the bus seemed to be enjoying themselves. I would recommend it 100%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lulu_m
Jan 15, 2024
Fabulous tour of deepest, darkest Soho - I bought tickets for this tour for my boyfriend and I and we certainly weren't disappointed! The tour around deepest darkest Soho was absolutely amazing! So many stories, brilliant photos of various points we stopped at compared to back in the 50's and 60's and the tour guide was absolutely awesome! Having lived and worked in Soho at the time of all the places we visited she was so interesting, funny and honestly made me long I'd been there with her!! Hones can't recommend this tour highly enough. So much packed into 2 hours and we're definitely booking for her Jack the Ripper tour very soon! Best end to a rainy Sunday afternoon! Totally loved this 🌟🌟🌟
Review provided by Viator
U8926gjharrym
May 14, 2023
Fantastic Tour for a Beautiful Day! - Fantastic Tour! Jenny our Guide was very knowledgeable and shared many memories of her time in 60s & 70s Soho. Her enthusiasm carried us along and you could sense her love for Soho and its history. Was able to pick up wonderful new information and help via her memories and anecdotes. Definitely recommend booking yourself a place with Jenny as your guide. You'll learn something new and wish you could have been there.
Five stars all the way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seasider2020
Sep 13, 2021
Interesting and informative from a very knowledgable tour guide - Really interesting and informative walk in a small group. Met at Oxford Circus and walked Carnaby Street and Soho, hearing tales and anecdotes from Jenny who had lived and worked in Soho through some fairly seedy and gruesome times. It was lovely to be able to interact and find out so much about the recent past and how the area has changed so much. Would definitely recommend the tour and the tour guide as an interesting way to spend a couple of hours in London.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beardie50
Sep 12, 2021
A great tour and insight into Soho in the 60s - We have just completed a great tour of Soho learning about the Gangsters of the 60s by someone who was there and lived it. A brilliant and illuminating insight into what it was really like in the areas where it took place.
Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E5117qnleahh
Jan 21, 2024
Not exactly accurate or gangster focused but fun - I was a little confused as to why some parts of the ‘gangster tour of soho’ focused on 70s pop stars rather than gangsters as well as spending the first 10 minutes talking about the London Palladium. Some of the facts that were mentioned and some of the photos were not accurate. That said it was a fun 2 hours and the tour guide was a nice lady. It just felt a little bit thrown together and inaccurate. Not exactly as it was described.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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