Soho Theatre will open Soho Theatre Pub, a new neighbourhood pub next door to Soho Theatre Walthamstow, with soft openings from Friday 1 May and a full opening on Friday 15 May.
Designed as a warm, welcoming pub for audiences, artists and the local community, Soho Theatre Pub will be a place to meet before and after shows — and to drop into on nights when there is no performance taking place. The pub will serve drinks from Waltham Forest–based Signature Brew, continuing their relationship with Soho Theatre Walthamstow, alongside food from award‑winning chef James Cochran from Friday 15 May, bringing big, bold flavours — from Around the Cluck’s signature ‘fried chicken on acid’, pub roasts, small plates and more — to a relaxed neighbourhood pub setting.
When the Hoe Street site became available earlier this year, Soho Theatre was keen to find a way for it to continue as an active, welcoming place for both the local community and audiences visiting the borough to attend shows. Working with Sam and Paul from the former operators, The Collab, and with the support of Waltham Forest Council, Soho Theatre has been able to move quickly to bring the space back into use as Soho Theatre Pub — creating new hospitality jobs, supporting the local evening economy, and adding another informal place to eat, drink and meet on Hoe Street.
Soho Theatre Walthamstow Co‑Executive Directors Mark Godfrey and Sam Hansford said: ‘Soho Theatre Pub builds on the role Soho Theatre already plays in Walthamstow’s cultural and evening life. With food from James Cochran and drinks from Waltham Forest’s own Signature Brewery, it will be a brilliant new local pub for residents, audiences, artists and visitors alike. We’re excited to open the doors and welcome people in.’
Sam McGregor, Signature Brew and The Collab, Co-Founder said: ‘In 2019, Signature Brew and Paul Human came together to create The Collab, and over the following seven years some epic times were had over amazing food and beer, with the likes of Suggs, alt-J, Mogwai and Dynamite MC all getting involved. Now we’re pleased to be handing over to our neighbours, Soho Theatre, so the great collaboration vibes can continue!’
Chef James Cochran: With parents from St. Vincent in the Caribbean and Glasgow, Scotland, chef James Cochran grew up by the sea in Whitstable, Kent – a mixed heritage reflected in his innovative and exciting dishes. After getting his first job at Wheeler’s Oyster Bar in his hometown, his talent took him to the world-renowned, two-Michelin-starred, The Ledbury – where he honed his skills under mentor Brett Graham. He went on to run the kitchen at Michelin-starred gastropub, The Harwood Arms and opened his flagship restaurant, 12:51, in Islington, North London in 2018 – the same year he won the BBC’s Great British Menu – a feat repeated in 2020. A winner of the prestigious Eater London Chef of the Year and Restaurant of The Year from Fay Maschler, voted best roast in North London by Jimi Famurewa through Time Out, these are just a few of his accolades James has achieved in his career. He launched Around the Cluck through lockdown and has had huge success with this and at Urban Golf and Old Fountain. Now to launch Soho Theatre Pub.
The opening of Soho Theatre Pub marks the return to use of a prominent Hoe Street unit, made possible through a partnership between Soho Theatre and Waltham Forest Council. Rather than a long vacancy, the space will support the local evening economy, create new hospitality jobs, and offer another welcoming social space alongside Soho Theatre Walthamstow, a local theatre with a national profile and a major cultural destination for north-east London. Alongside Signature Brew, the pub will also work with a range of local and London‑based suppliers, including Mother’s Ruin, Burnt Faith, East London Brewery and East London Liquor Company.
Soho Theatre Pub will operate across the rhythm of a theatre night: pre‑show dining for audiences, a local pub during performances, and a lively post‑show space where artists, audiences and locals can mix. It is conceived as an open, habit‑forming place for Walthamstow — a pub first, with the theatre’s creative life at its heart.
Soho Theatre Pub opening hours:
Soft launch opening hours (walk in, drinks only): from 5pm Fri 1 May, Sat 2 May, Tue 5 May, Wed 6 May, Thu 7 May, Fri 8 May, Sat 9 May
Official opening (food + drinks): from Fri 15 May with further details, including menu and reservation information to be announced soon.
Media enquiries:
Soho Theatre press@sohotheatre.com