Inside THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS
Walking up the stairs to THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS feels a bit like following Alice down the rabbit hole. At ground level, the hustle and bustle of Soho pulses through the night. But step onto the top floor and you’re greeted by Oscar’s Bar, the serene daytime hub that transforms into a stagey wonderland after dusk. According to recent data from the Society of London Theatre, the West End welcomed over 15 million attendees last year, a healthy chunk of whom were tourists seeking that unique synergy of culture and entertainment. Yet options for post-theatre experiences often remain limited to the usual bars or chain restaurants. THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS has changed all that: from 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as Saturdays, you’ll find professional actors donning aprons and swapping the stage for the serving floor.
But let’s not undersell the beverages. The bar is well-stocked with wines, draught beers, and cocktails so meticulously assembled they’d make any mixologist proud. The venue’s cocktail menu offers a cheeky homage to musical legends—take the “Judy,” featuring Chivas Regal 12, Disaronno, lemon, vanilla, and pinot noir, or the “Patti,” made with Olmeca tequila, lime, agave, cucumber, and chilli. They’re named after some of Broadway and the West End’s biggest icons, which is guaranteed to spark more than a few lively debates over which leading lady deserves the next drink on the list.
Meet The Singing Servers
Of course, the real magic happens when the staff break out in song. Starting from 5pm on select nights, talented performers—many of whom have trodden the boards on London’s grandest stages—will not only serve your drinks but also serenade you with show tunes. We’re talking the sort of vocals you’d expect to echo through theatre rafters, but up close and personal. According to one of the singing servers I chatted with, it’s as thrilling to perform for a small group of bar patrons as it is to belt to a full house of 1,500. The intimacy, they explained, makes each song feel like a private concert.
Things step up a notch from 9pm, when the resident pianist takes centre stage (or rather, the corner of the bar) to lead a full-blown sing-along of musical classics. There’s something undeniably magical about hearing On My Own drifting across the room while clinking glasses or tucking into small plates. If you’re feeling bold—and let’s be honest, after a “Judy” or two, you might be—patrons are encouraged to chime in. It’s a stress-free environment, more akin to a collaborative jam session than the dreaded karaoke machine. And should you become momentarily stumped on lyrics, there’s almost always someone nearby ready to fill in, over-enthusiastic jazz hands at the ready.
A Culinary Encore
Speaking of small plates, let’s talk food. Too many bars with a gimmick skimp on their menus, assuming the novelty alone will suffice. Not here. THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS boasts a tempting range of bite-sized treats and hearty mains. The bacon-wrapped king prawns deliver a salty, smoky punch, while the burrata with roasted aubergine is a creamy delight that contrasts beautifully with the tang of aubergine. For bigger appetites, options like miso-glazed salmon, rare duck breast with potato gratin, and a sirloin steak are on hand to satisfy. No one’s leaving hungry—unless, of course, you’re too busy belting out Don’t Cry For Me Argentina to remember to order.
Then there’s the Bottomless Brunch on Saturdays, priced at £45 per person. Eggs Benedict, smashed avocado toast, berry-stacked pancakes—comfort food favourites, yes, but served by West End performers in between their high notes. It’s a spectacle of bright morning sunshine, bottomless mimosas, and rousing renditions of classic tunes. In a city where brunch is practically a weekend religion, this sets the standard for how to turn a midmorning meal into a flamboyant celebration.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Show (Yes, It’s A Show!)
The question on many a theatre fan’s lips: “Isn’t this just a themed bar?” In theory, perhaps. But in reality, it’s more akin to an immersive theatre experience. The synergy between staff, pianist, and patrons is reminiscent of what you’d find in a good show, complete with spontaneous comedic moments and unrehearsed audience participation. It’s not surprising that the creative team behind THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS includes Tristan Moffat, once the operations director at the Piano Works, Maisie Sellwood from Sing Easy, and Lucy Penrose and Dave Cribb from Overtures. Each of these names is steeped in a background of interactive or musically driven venues, so they know how to keep a room buzzing.
From a broader perspective, London’s nightlife has evolved to cater to increasingly niche interests. According to a recent survey by UK Hospitality, demand for experience-led venues rose by 45% in the past two years. People no longer want to just sip cocktails; they want a story, a memory, or at least a decent show tune to hum on the tube ride home. THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS ticks all those boxes, attracting not only die-hard theatre devotees but also curious visitors in search of something a little different. Even the occasional theatre sceptic might be won over by the high-calibre talent and convivial spirit on display.
The Double Life Of The Performers
One nugget you won’t find on the bar’s promotional flyers is that many of the singing servers are actively auditioning for, or currently understudying roles in, actual West End productions. During quieter moments in the bar, you might overhear them rehearsing lines or practising scales under their breath. It gives a certain authenticity to the place—these are real theatre people plying their craft, not simply actors-for-hire. For them, this job doubles as a chance to hone their skills and stay sharp between auditions. And from the audience’s standpoint, there’s a unique thrill in suspecting that the person delivering your Patti cocktail today could be starring in a top West End show tomorrow.
This overlap between the bar and the professional theatre circuit is a testament to how deeply entwined London’s stage culture really is. In a city where theatre fosters a flourishing ecosystem of creativity, it makes perfect sense that a bar could serve as an incubator for next-generation talent. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a future Olivier Award winner belting out Memory from Cats right by your table.
The Unexpected Heart Of Soho
Beyond the cocktails, the singing, and the novelty factor, what truly sets THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS apart is its sense of community. After all, if you’re opening a musical theatre bar in the heart of Soho—a historically vibrant, sometimes rebellious neighbourhood—it needs to be more than just a fleeting Instagram backdrop. Conversations with staff reveal a genuine aspiration to create a haven where theatre lovers can mingle, share tips on upcoming shows, or simply bask in the collective glow of a good chorus.
The location itself, perched atop 5 Greek Street, lends a cosy, exclusive feel. It’s something of a hidden gem right now—though probably not for long, given the enthusiasm buzzing through social media. On busy nights, you’ll see groups of friends raising glasses mid-chorus, couples timidly joining in the final line of Seasons Of Love, and even the odd solo adventurer who discovered the bar online and decided to indulge in a bit of musical therapy after a long day.
As a self-confessed theatre enthusiast, I find it thrilling that London’s after-hours scene is evolving to meet the soaring demand for live entertainment beyond the stage. THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS isn’t just a clever nod to Hamilton; it’s a fully realised concept that merges the fervour of West End musicals with the conviviality of a local pub—only with a lot more singing. If you’ve ever left a show thinking, “If only I could bask in that energy just a little longer,” this might well be your new favourite haunt.
So, the next time you’re in Soho and the curtain has fallen, don’t wander off into the night lamenting the show’s end. Climb those stairs at 5 Greek Street, order yourself a “Judy” or a “Patti,” and let the singing servers whisk you into an encore performance of your own making. Because in THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS, the magic of musical theatre doesn’t have to end at the theatre door—it’s only just beginning.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
