Established long before most other gay bars in Soho were even on the scene, The Yard is a very refreshing place to visit - it’s a classy joint for a start! This place doesn’t have a sticky carpet in sight and it caters for a much older and more mature bunch of drinkers.

With The Loft upstairs, it’s the perfect drinking hole to watch the crowds gather outside in the courtyard below and to watch the world fly by on its ogletastic balcony.

Where Is It?
Just a short stroll from Piccadilly Circus tube station. It’s not among the usual crowds of Old Compton Street, but it isn’t a far waltz from any of them and is in a much classier area of Soho. The bar and courtyard is behind the other shop fronts on Rupert Street, so make sure you don’t walk past the glass doors of the main entrance! These lead to an inviting short corridor with Tuscan murals before the courtyard stretches out before you.

Address: 57 Rupert Street, Soho London, W1V 7HN

Has it Entered The Multimedia Age?
Unfortunately not, no. On a few websites I paid a visit to it states www.theyardbar.co.uk is the official website, but don’t be fooled. This is simply a review of the venue on another website and the information is very short and sweet. All the information I could find was very dated and extremely limited, which is a shame as not enough Soho goers know about The Yard.

What Can People Expect?
The first thing you’ll notice if you’re new to The Yard is the amount of space. A large courtyard with tables and heaters occupy the area in front of the bar, which is perfect for those summer nights when you’re stuck to find anywhere in Soho with a beer garden.

 This is one place in the gay village which isn’t small and cramped, which is a very pleasant surprise. The Yard’s very classy, with sofas and funky stools, and there’s a long bar with plenty of seating space.

Upstairs is The Loft, which is very similar to downstairs yet smaller, and it has a small balcony which is handy for checking out the eye candy and having a breather. It attracts just as many people and gets very busy on a Friday and Saturday night and there’s always a busy and thriving atmosphere.

What About the Deco?
One word for you; simple - but this works very well. Cosy sofas take over most of the space in The Yard and The Loft and it could be seen as quite an old-fashioned pub for its lack of disco balls and drama queens, but this is why people like it, and punters always come back for more.

What Are the Punters Like?
For a nice change, this classy joint isn’t too cruisey. Drinkers seem to pay The Yard and The Loft a visit to chill out with friends after work with a few bottles of wine or for taking a seat and enjoying the view. Everyone tends to stick to their own groups, but this always seems to work well and it makes The Yard and The Loft very chilled and comfortable places to be seen at. Plus, there aren’t any 18 year-old scene queens in sight, which is a nice change from most places.

What About the Talent?
If you’re after an older man in a suit, then The Yard and The Loft are definitely the places to head for. As with anywhere you get your regulars in and a lot of people tend to use the stylish venues as drinking holes before hitting the clubs. Come 8pm on a Friday and Saturday night the DJ comes out to play with some fab tunes in tow.

The venue(s) are filled with blokes, and the odd bird in tow, but as it’s a friendly place and people are generally older, you won’t feel left out if you’re a woman, and you won’t be getting perved on if you’re there with your mates to enjoy the atmosphere and have a few drinks.

What Should I Wear?
There’s a scary looking bouncer on the door, and the chances of you getting in wearing your tatty and torn jeans are minimal. So dress up a bit, but don’t overdo it.

What About the Booze?
There’s a happy hour from 6pm to 8pm Monday to Thursday, which is worth paying a visit to - just make sure you get there early as this is always a busy time and there’s a wide range of booze available upstairs and downstairs. Prices outside of happy hour are very expensive, which is to be expected for this type of venue.

The Yard / The Loft
57 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D 7PL.  020 7437 2652

Monday-Saturday: 4pm-11pm; Sunday: 4pm-10.30pm

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