The Friendly Society
The Friendly Society
4
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Monday
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
2:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Soho
The go-to district for a good time in London, Soho hosts a wealth of world-class theatres and a compelling lineup of cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs. At Soho's core is London's original Red Light District and the epicenter of the LGBT scene – and thus the city's hottest nightlife. For shopping enthusiasts, Soho is not only the home of London's greatest concentration of boutique shops, but also the most strategic place to set off on a tour of the world's most celebrated department stores. In the southern part of the neighborhood lies Chinatown, with its multitude of delicious and affordable restaurants. Closer to the Thames, Chinatown's narrow and teeming lantern-lit lanes spill onto the expansive hub of glitzy Leicester Square.
How to get there
- Piccadilly Circus • 4 min walk
- Leicester Square • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,385 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
81 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
9
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
12
neilwasho
Stoke-on-Trent, UK14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Was here on Friday 17 January. Was busy with three bar man serving, but despite this waited about ten minutes. Another member of staff started cleaning the bar surface from the customer side, telling everyone to step back, and having already waited a long time I suggested their time might be better spent on the other side serving. This didn’t go down well & I was met with a load of frosty stares from all the bar staff who developed a pack mentality. When I said I wasn’t happy with the wait, the bar man told me to “f@@k off.” I was frankly shocked & have never received such abuse. I complained that the language used was totally uncalled for and they beckoned security over. Credit to the security personnel who did listen to my explanation of what had happened and asked me to point the person out. However, we weren’t prepared to stay after being treated with such disdain. The “Friendly Society” is anything but, and now I’ve had the chance to read the various reviews it seems terrible bar staff attitude is a recurring theme. Perhaps in London you can afford to insult people as there is an endless supply of customers, but manners cost nothing & bad language towards customers is inexcusable. The staff need training, not just in customer service, but how to behave in a pub environment. Any personal licence holder knows that you don’t swear or act confrontationally if you are trying to calm a situation down.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatofmydrum
Maidstone, UK110 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
Came here for a drink, as I was passing through soho. I bought a gin and tonic which cost me £12, that mostly had lumps of dry orange peel in it. I said hello to the member of staff who served me, and he just gave me a dirty look.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K Sm
2 contributions
Jun 2021
The bar is small, but can be a lot of fun and the music is great. However, the terrible customer service and rude staff really lets the place down. One member of staff (the Team Leader?) who has been there a while is so incredibly rude - no idea why he feels he needs to be that way. My drinks order, whilst exactly the same order, would often change cost each time. The place needs better training for staff in customer service, as well as a website with contact details for customer support.
I last visited before the pandemic. Hopefully things will change.
I last visited before the pandemic. Hopefully things will change.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francoise L
Paris, France3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Terrible experience here mainly because of one of the bartenders, an older, bearded man. He was extremely obnoxious and his hygiene standards were also very questionable. We didn't drink the cocktails he prepared despite paying for them and left shortly afterwards.
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Javier D
2 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
For me it was a very unpleasant experience. As I entered the place I was greeted with shouts by the administrator (an older blonde white lady). She started yelling that she didn't want a Latino man in her bar. At first I thought they were jokes, but after the situation escalated, I realized that she was serious and a gentleman asked me to leave because she was very drunk. I cannot believe this still happen in 2022.
I know she was drunk but when we are drunk is when we show our true colors. They should change the name of the bar to Racist Society.
I know she was drunk but when we are drunk is when we show our true colors. They should change the name of the bar to Racist Society.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter S
London, UK11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
One of my favourite bars ever. I have been there hundreds of times. It screams crazy and fabulous. The eclectic style of the bar adds to its character and charm. The drinks are delicious and decently priced. Highly worth a visit (if you can find it!)
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary W
11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Visited twice during a weekend trip to Soho due to reading a few reviews before our visit. Had to lean on Google Maps before the trip as the entrance is very inconspicuous.
Absolutely worth visiting though, as the decor and atmosphere are quirky but adorable, the drinks menu is comprehensive, and above all the bar staff we encountered made us feel so welcome due to their friendliness and helpful attitude. (It would be shallow to say they were gorgeous as well, but facts are facts 😀🥰).
Thanks to all concerned, and when we re-visit Soho next time we'll 100% return. Cheers all! ❤️❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻
Absolutely worth visiting though, as the decor and atmosphere are quirky but adorable, the drinks menu is comprehensive, and above all the bar staff we encountered made us feel so welcome due to their friendliness and helpful attitude. (It would be shallow to say they were gorgeous as well, but facts are facts 😀🥰).
Thanks to all concerned, and when we re-visit Soho next time we'll 100% return. Cheers all! ❤️❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beoutstanding
Alton, UK52 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Came with some friends after we had taken part in the low pay BA campaign. The rude manager decided to give us his opinion on our dispute and told us to get back to work! We walked out and are busy telling everyone we know on social media of our experience!
Written January 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keshia H
London, UK15 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
Came here for a friends birthday…a glass fell from out table and smashed. We asked for a dustpan and cleaned it up but they refused to serve us afterwards!! I understand that glasses break, but we cleaned it up and then they stopped serving us!
Wouldn't come here again due to how they treated us.
Wouldn't come here again due to how they treated us.
Written November 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ToroGinger
New York City, NY19 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Two consecutive nights this bar was our anchor spot as we explored the SoHo bars. The bar made a nice G&T, the DJ offered up a fun, if cliched, playlist, and the staff danced with patrons. But on New Years Eve, when there was pretty much no one there, the bouncer became unnecessarily rude and militant. As I approached with my husband I said hello he blocked my way in and shook his head at me. I asked if there was some tin wrong. He said “this is a gay bar”. I said, “I know I’m gay.” He said “this bar is not for you.” I’ve been in gay bars all over the world and never been refused entry in this manner. There was there was no line, we were dressed appropriately, and we were behaving politely. So while his bar has its merits, none of them really matter when there’s an a-hole out front on a power trip. My advice, go to the Village, Duke of Wellington or one of the many other bars down the street.
Written January 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to reserve/book an area?
Written January 11, 2019
I don't know best to speak to the bar.
Written January 20, 2019
What’s the best time to arrive to make sure you get in and it’s lively enough for a dance? Thanks.
Written May 1, 2018
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