The secret history of Soho House 76 Dean Street

Soho House 76 Dean Street is located among a row of historic Georgian townhouses in London’s central neighbourhood of Soho. The area has long been a fixture in the city’s nightlife scene, with everything from gay bars to after-hours venues attracting musicians, fashion designers and artists for more than three decades. In fact, Soho House emerged from this creative atmosphere: our first club opened in 1995 at 40 Greek Street above Cafe Boheme, a restaurant that was already much-loved by London’s creatives. 

Soho House 76 Dean Street then opened 20 years later in 2015. Despite its historical architecture, the House has a contemporary spirit. While reflecting the bustling atmosphere of Soho, the club has its own unique character and can cater to all members’ needs, which means whatever mood you’re in it always feels like home. 

Behind the dark brick facade, the House is much bigger than you might anticipate: the rooms in the historic 18th-century townhouse expand into a contemporary extension. Spread over four floors (plus a basement cinema), it’s the ideal destination for an ultimate day-to-night House experience. You can go from working over a morning coffee, having a few meetings and a low-key lunch, to a dinner party on the top floor or a romantic date for two by the fireplace. After a light refresh in 2022, it continues to be a sought-after destination. 

Here’s your ultimate guide to the House. 

History 

Soho House 76 Dean Street is located in one of the oldest townhouses in Westminster, built in 1732 by Thomas Richmond. The original tenant was the seventh Earl of Abercorn, a fellow of the Royal Society who lived in the building from 1735 until 1742. 

One of the most fascinating original features is the naval-themed murals in the main entrance hall and around the staircase by artist John Devoto, which were most likely commissioned by the Earl’s son, James Hamilton, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. During the 19th century, the townhouse was a school of industry for children and a leather-cutting factory. In the 1950s it was a favourite watering hole of acclaimed artists such as Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon.

The original building survived a devastating fire in July 2009, but miraculously the staircase and its original murals suffered only minor smoke damage. After taking over the building, the Soho House team spent 18 months restoring it to its former glory. The result, however, is pretty far from a ‘typical’ Georgian townhouse. 

Architecture and interiors 

Considering that Soho House 76 Dean Street is a Grade II listed building, the original structure has been preserved alongside its unique atmosphere. There is a sense of comfort in the Georgian fireplaces, and grandeur in its vintage marble cladding and centuries-old wooden floorboards. The club space on the ground floor has an abundance of sofas and armchairs to do some work by day, and enjoy a cocktail and jazz music in the evening. But as you walk through to the back of the House, there is a sense of space and light in its contemporary part. The garden bar at the back of the ground floor opens up into an adjacent courtyard, giving it an indoor-outdoor feeling with added greenery and airy furnishings. 

The colour scheme throughout the House accentuates the combination of old and new: burgundy, red and sage leather, polished brass, a muted coral tone and the signature Teal 03 76 Dean Street, which is part of Soho Home’s collaboration with Lick paint.   

During the refresh in 2022, the familiar cosy corners were updated with the addition of new art and accessories, breathing new life into the space. There is also a 43-seat cinema in the basement, which hosts member screenings every week, and a spacious Top Floor and Library Bar that’s great for hosting drinks and dinners for up to 80 people. 

Food and drink 

Soho House 76 Dean Street has various settings for lunch or dinner – from a more formal restaurant on the first floor and areas reminiscent of an upscale diner with leather booths and counter dining, to a more relaxed atmosphere for lunch. 

The House has its own unique menu developed by chef James Lord (Pappardelle with wild mushroom and truffle is a popular highlight, alongside the Club Steak for the ravenous). Apart from our much-celebrated Picante, there are also special cocktails to try: make sure you sample the Rose Paloma and the Naked and Gorgeous, developed by bar manager Maurizio Siani. The menu also features an extended wine list (but Lady A is still there too, of course). 

The art collection 

Art is a big part of Soho House 76 Dean Street’s character, adding to the texture and the gradual sense of discovery as you walk through the building. Historically, the collection has been mostly comprised of small black and white artworks. But while updating the collection in 2022 to coincide with the refresh of the House, our Global Director of Art, Kate Bryan, added around 40 new pieces, with a large number of works by emerging artists. Some of the highlights of the collection include paintings by Donna Huanca, Billy Bagilhole and Anousha Payne, a ceramic work by Lindsey Mendick, tapestry by Juju Wang, and a piece by Shirin Fathi (which we explored in detail previously).  

‘We tried as much as possible not to disrupt the existing image, because I think there is such a fondness for this club as one of the most historic-looking Houses,’ says Bryan. ‘It’s no accident that we were veering towards figuration, mediaeval imagery, the strange and surreal.’