Soho and the 2 i’s Coffee Bar (updated)

Dancing in a Soho carpark in 1956

Dancing in a Soho carpark in 1956

I’ve updated Soho and the 2 i’s coffee bar story with tons more great pictures from the fifties, originally from the Picture Post in 1956, of teenagers in Soho and Soho generally. I’ve also added some more music, plus a recording of a sketch with Peter Sellers playing a Larry Parnes type character.

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11 Responses to “Soho and the 2 i’s Coffee Bar (updated)”

  1. ally says:

    bloomin marvelous dearie – well found
    x

  2. davyh says:

    Seeing that lovely pic of Georgie Fame, I had to drop in to say that he was right behind us in the queue at our Sainsbury’s Local yesterday; I went down again tonight for some tomatoes, but only got Holly Willoughby.

  3. davyh says:

    No! I mean I got the tomatoes, but I saw….oh never mind.

  4. Pete says:

    Thanks for the great photos ! Brings back many memories of playing guitar in the “2 I´s with my group 1959 – 1960.

  5. Jacquie says:

    Just found this great site. Brings back many happy memories of hours spent in the 2 i’s. I still have my member card fron 1958.

    So many of the guys there went on to fame and fortune.
    On Saturday night I met up with Liquorice Looking after 50 years, He still has the big grin. He & Vince Eager made a guest appearance.. at a gig. They are both still going strong, Vince can still belt out a great song!
    Keep the pictures coming, it’s great to see!
    Jacquie

  6. michaelandrewjanson says:

    ok i think i was in a drugs raid one saturday night in the 60s.the press was there and photos were in the sunday papers i saw them when i got home and maybe my parents did.i did not keep a copy of the paper maybe the sunday mirror I am trying to get to them via the net if you any info maybe you can email me .im in manchester now and have picked up northern soul the old mods are still out here but cant get the purple hearts anymore!

  7. Jay Chance says:

    It is great to see the 2I’s get the recognition it deserves. There are still lots of us around who performed there regularly – and we are proud to have been part of a legend in the making

  8. Barry says:

    Memories flooding back of Lance Fortune (then Chris Morris) and I (guitar) part of resident entertainment here in summer 59. Keith Kelly, Joe Moretti. Adam Faith lurking at the back of the place, Hank M, Wee Wilie H. Not great on names, but so many faces… And Tom Littlewood giving us dried unsold sandwiches and an orange juice at the end of long, sweaty sessions…

  9. Carol Stothard says:

    I used to frequent the two I’s, and there was a guitaristnwhomi always asked to play mulagania
    I also watched Soho fair from the upstairs flat windows
    I was a friend of Paul Lincoln and Ray Hunter
    So long ago now.
    They were from Tasmania, in those days i didn’t think I would end up n Tasmania, but I have.
    I think Paul Lincoln has passed away but I don’t know about Ray Hunter

  10. Peter Robinson says:

    I played drums at the 2 i’s in early 1957, along with Terry Dene @ Brian Gergg (we all worked at the HMV store).

    The basement was always packed with dancers and lots of debs & their escorts.

    Happy days!

    Peter Robinson …..still ‘bashing the skins’!

  11. ??? says:

    Hi, I want to subscribe for this web site to get newest updates, therefore where can i do it please
    help out.

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