Civilised afternoon tea
We have been to Soho Hotel several times as a group for a civilised afternoon tea whenever we have been able to come up with an excuse (Christmas, maternity leave, it's a weekend…) and it is perfect for a catch up when you don't want to go out for dinner or accidentally get wasted at drinks. You can of course have a drink: the afternoon tea has a champagne option but as you are gently supping in the relaxed and elegant surroundings of the library or sitting room you evade the usual guilt about consuming alcohol before the traditional 6pm English watershed. Anyway, you can drink as much tea as you can physically take on board (a propos of which, as with all hotels, the toilets are handily located on the ground floor and very accessible) which is, if not as fun as bubbles, at least as interesting as there are multiple brews from which to choose. And the food itself is fantastic: very refined with finger slices of cucumber sandwiches and the like, fruity scones, lovely little chocolatey and cakey mouthfuls. There's plenty of choice to please everyone and the kitchen accommodates any dietary needs. I get a little nervous sharing food sometimes (will there be enough for my greedy guts? will I eat embarrassingly more than my fair share?) but this is assuaged by the knowledge that sarnie top ups here are free-flowing. Service is great with waiters popping in to check on your progress but then leaving you to chomp and chat in peace. The library has a particularly lovely atmosphere being just off the lobby so you can see what's going on, with interesting lighting and decor and squashy comfy chairs, plus if you are a biggish group (8-10) it will probably be yours alone so it's very private. Our last visit was £28 a head which is good value especially when you think you won't want lunch before or supper afterwards.