Life in Soho During the 1950s

   

Take a look back at the district in the ‘50s through 16 fascinating vintage black-and-white photographs below:

 
The Barbour Brothers from Blackpool strolling down Shaftesbury Avenue, 1952. (Chris Ware)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

 
Londoners relaxing during a summer heat wave at St Anne’s Churchyard Gardens, 1952. (Daniel Farson)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

 
A banjo player entertaining the customers outside the Windmill Theatre, 1953. (Bert Hardy)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

 
A couple dancing at jazz club the Blue Heaven, 1954. (Charles Hewitt)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Four women sharing a 9-foot-long baguette, 1955. (Daily Mirror)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Young men at La Caverne nightclub, 1955. (Joseph McKeown)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Waiters carrying half bottles of champagne setting off on the annual waiters' race from Soho Square to Greek Street, 1955. (Slim Aarons)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Young girls greeting each other, 1956. (Thurston Hopkins)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Two prostitutes leaning out the windows of a brothel, 1956. (Thurston Hopkins)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

People dancing at the Gargoyle Club, 1956. (Thurston Hopkins)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

A man in drag heading a carnival procession down Old Compton Street during the Soho Fair, 1956. (Ron Gerelli)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Miss Soho waving to the crowds during the annual Soho Fair, 1956. (Mirrorpix)

 

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

Pasta eating contest, 1956. (Jack Garofalo)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

London's youth hanging out on the backstreets, 1956. (Werner Rings)

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

A group playing and jiving in the street at a fair, 1957. (Evening Standard)

 

 

Life in Soho During the 1950s

 
Six models giving a preview of the latest in French haute couture, 1958. (Ron Case)