Soho, so good...

Soho is the heart of London — both geographically and emotionally. Situated slap-bang in the middle of the West End, this tiny enclave is home to some of the capital’s most thriving communities, and boasts unbeatable bars, clubs and restaurants. Cool, buzzing, scruffy, fun, crazy and totally unique,

Ronnie Scott's
If there's a Mecca for jazz music, then it's got to be Ronnie Scott's. Since 1959, this club has been providing music-lovers with an eclectic range of acts, all served up in the relaxed, comfy ambience of Ronnie's. Legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie have all played here — a visit is a must.
www.ronniescotts.co.uk

Patisserie Valerie
Dribble...gurgle: sorry, it's just the sound of our very unseemly salivating at the sight of all the goodies on offer at this wondrous place. In Soho since the 1920's, this Old Compton Street café, decorated with its famous Toulouse-Lautrec cartoons, is a much-loved purveyor of Continental pastries, cakes and more delights...
www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Bar Italia
Another Soho institution: in a city with senselessly draconian licensing laws, Bar Italia is still one of the only places to come for an early-hours espresso. This isn't to say that we wouldn't frequent it anyway — with the authentic 50's décor, bustling crowd and brilliant coffee, there's no better place to pull up your scooter next to.
www.baritaliasoho.co.uk

The Gay Hussar
It bills itself as Britain's only Hungarian restaurant, but that's not why we love this totally singular eatery. It’s a classic: from its Socialist political history, the crammed-on photographs and books on the wall, to the cosy ambience and filling food. A true Soho favourite.

Agent Provocateur
It's practically become a byword for the sort of classy yet brassy lingerie it does so well — Agent Provocateur is the original and still the best. Situated at 6 Broadwick Street, it's a treasure trove of exquisitely made, sexy, delicious underwear. A guaranteed winner should you ever be stuck on what to get for your girlfriend's birthday…
www.agentprovocateur.com

Soho Square at lunchtime
OK so it's tiny and ridiculously overcrowded when the sun comes out — but that's part of its charm. The teeming hordes that flock to this W1 patch of grass give it its buzz and unique meeja-crowd atmosphere. There’s often free music performances on, too.

Garlic and Shots
The truly eccentric Garlic & Shots is brilliant — a Swedish, gothic-style restaurant and bar which specialises in — you guessed it — garlic and vodka. A totally bonkers idea, but the G&S peeps pull it off to give you a dark and delicious night to remember.

G-A-Y Bar
They've transformed the Astoria into the camp Saturday night hotspot G-A-Y, which attracts some of pop’s biggest name performers. Adding to the empire, they've recently taken over Old Compton Street's Manto and gave it the G-A-Y treatment. It's now one of Soho’s best bars, with video plasma screens, cheap drinks and a fabulous atmosphere.
www.g-a-y.co.uk

Hazlitt's Hotel
In a world almost overrun by Holiday Inns, Radissons and Best Westerns, it's nice to find that such a unique one-off place still exists. Hazlitt's is an elegant, small hostelry, taking up three Georgian houses on Frith Street. With opulent, classic décor, an unbeatable location and bags of intimate charm, there’s nowhere else quite like it.
www.hazlittshotel.com