Welcome to SOHO.
Back in the eighties, Soho was described as a “village full of low-lifers and high-lifers, romantics and realists, drunks and dreamers, sex workers and bar workers”. While Soho has most definitely been gentrified, there is still a beautiful mischievousness to it that leaves its visitors with intrigue and inquiry.
Old Compton Brasserie sits upon one of London’s most infamous streets in the heart of Soho, known for its buzzing restaurant and bar scene. A risqué, lively hotspot full of Colourful Characters ready to celebrate love and life! There is a vibrancy, exoticness, brilliance and an abundance of life that, arguably, you won’t find anywhere else.
Art
Old Compton Brasserie is not only a venue for Londoners and visitors to enjoy great hospitality, but also a place in which people come to be immersed in culture. We aim to help cultivate the London art scene, providing a space where both mouths and eyes can feast!
Soho’s history is that of eclectic people and eclectic art. Being located in the heart of Old Compton Street, it’s only right that we embrace the eclectic roots of our beautiful venue. On your next visit to Old Compton Brasserie take a minute to look at our collection of art, from the original pieces on the walls to the beautiful authentic Parisian lighting above the restaurant booths. Not only do we celebrate the art, but also the artists themselves. Every 6 months we feature bespoke art from varying artists on the back of our menus, here are the stories behind those artists…
Casey Ann Bartlett (2022-23)
For the second year running, students from the University of Arts London were invited to present to us a piece of art that ‘embodies the Soho culture’.
Taking cues from the lively nightlife of Soho and evoking the imagery found in vintage theatre programs and posters, Casey Ann Bartlett has paid homage to Soho's renown as a centre for theatre, entertainment, and hospitality.
We are proud to have rewarded Casey a £1000 cash prize to help assist with her career development, and are excited to have her beautiful piece of work displayed in the restaurant for all guests to see and enjoy.
Eva Aphrodite Katerina (2022 - 23)
Eva Aphrodite Katerina was the first University of Arts London student to win our Menu Design and Artist Feature Competition with her piece ‘The Masquerade Theatre of Soho’.
Students of the University of Arts London were invited to present to us a piece of art that ‘embodies the Soho culture’. This piece was a true stand out.
We are pleased to have rewarded Eva with £1000 cash to help assist with their career development and we loved having her work displayed in the venue and on the back of our menus for the 2022 - 23 season.
Marcus Raven (2021-22)
Marcus Raven is a London based artist. Exploring his passion for drawing through mixed media including painting, print, collage and digital techniques, he creates visual impact using abstract dynamic forms, both vibrant and monochrome.
His piece was the focal point of our menus for the 2021-22 season. The painting now hangs on the upper level of the restaurant for guests to enjoy as they dine on the mezzanine.
Hayden Kays (2020 - 21)
Hayden Kays is the artist behind our 2020-2021 artwork, aptly named; ‘Beyond The Rave’.
Hayden has been widely acclaimed as one of the most vital and proactive artists of his generation, producing work that both celebrated and critiques the all-pervasive culture industry. Kays’ work is characterised by bold imagery, acerbic wordplay, accomplished craftmanship and deadpan humour.
Beyond The Rave featured on our second menu, and the original piece can be seen on the stairs going up to the mezzanine.
Anna Laurini (2018 - 19)
Anna Laurini was our first featured menu artist when we opened in September 2018.
Since, she has gained notoriety as one of the most distinctive urban contemporary artists to burst onto the London and New York scene. Her process is dynamic and bold yet her underlying femininity permeates her prolific body of work.
Inspired by Picasso and Matisse, Anna earned a fine art diploma at Central Saint Martins and attended life drawing at Art Student League, New York. Her work has been exhibited in London, Tokyo, New York, Milan and Paris.
The piece of art featured on our first menu’s can be seen on the wall opposite the bar.