The Toucan

Disappearing into The Toucan for a couple of pints of excellent Guinness is one of the best ways to spend time in Soho. The two levels of the characterful, old-school pub are plastered in memorabilia—there are toucans emerging from walls, fraying posters, green tinsel that’ll inevitably end up around your neck, and bar mats emblazoned with 'Don’t Worry Drink Guinness'. There’s a bar at street level but that fills up fast, so we prefer taking the narrow staircase down to the cosy basement. Come alone and make friends, sit by the bar for a quiet solo pint, or bring a group—you’ll be warmly welcomed however you choose to play it.