Backstage Basement at The Spice of Life - Soho

Basement in a Pub · Private space

About this space

The Backstage basement is available for hire weekdays until 5PM and Thursday evenings. Hire is possible outside of these times with sufficient notice. Please get in touch if you have a specific date in mind.

Our space is perfect for small corporate use, bespoke events, as well as rehearsal and showcase space. We welcome film and music video shoots.

The bar & kitchen can cater with buffet options as well as our everyday menu.

Event offers and packages

FESTIVE MENU

£15.95 per person

- Marinated olives*(ve) (Boscaiola, Kalamata olives)
- Hummus and pitta (ve) (traditional hummus, beetroot & apple hummus, wholemeal pitta)
- Chicken liver pâté toast* (Tracklements onion marmalade)
- Honey-glazed sausages (grain mustard mayonnaise)
- Smoked salmon & cream cheese toast* (chives, lemon)
- Chicken wings* (festive coating, cranberry dip)
- Roast potatoes*(ve) (sea salt and gravy)
- Dough balls (v) (garlic butter)
- Beetroot falafels*(ve) (herb dressing)
- Mini beef & horseradish Yorkshire puddings
- Sweet treats(v) bite-size (chocolate brownies*, mince pies and salted caramel profiteroles (v). )

Buffet available for a minimum of 10 people or more only. (*) non-gluten option available

SILVER BUFFET

£11.50 per person

- Marinated olives*(ve) (Boscaiola, Kalamata olives)
- Hummus and pitta (ve) (traditional hummus, beetroot & apple hummus, wholemeal pitta)
- Chicken liver pâté toast* (Tracklements onion marmalade)
- Honey-glazed sausages (grain mustard mayonnaise)
- Smoked salmon & cream cheese toast* (chives, lemon)
- Chicken wings* (festive coating, cranberry dip)
- Roast potatoes*(ve) (sea salt and gravy)
- Dough balls (v) (garlic butter)

Buffet available for a minimum of 10 people or more only. (*) non-gluten option available

XMAS MENU

£24.95 per person

2 COURSE – £24.95 3 COURSE – £29.95 (FRIDAY - SUNDAY)
2 COURSE – £19.95 3 COURSE – £24.95 (MONDAY - THURSDAY)

STARTERS
- Broccoli & almond soup*(ve) (bread, toasted seeds, olive oil)
- Duck, gin & orange parfait ‡* (Tracklements onion marmalade, toast & butter)
- Crispy breaded brie*(v) (toasted pumpkin seeds, rocket and cranberry relish)
- Prawn & avocado salad* (gem, tomato, cucumber, Sriracha cocktail sauce)

MAINS
| All served with carrots, kale, Brussels sprouts and roast parsnips |
- Roast turkey* (sweet onion & cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, gravy)
- Slow-cooked flat iron beef ‡* (buttered mash, silverskin onions, thyme, mushrooms, red wine gravy)
- Baked sea bass fillets ‡* (parsley new potatoes, Champagne butter sauce)
- Parsnip & chestnut roast*(ve) (cranberries, mixed seeds, roast potatoes, gravy)

DESSERTS
- Stronghart Christmas pudding‡ (brandy sauce, mint, strawberry)
- Passion fruit cheesecake*(ve) (raspberry coulis, vanilla ice cream, mint)
- Chocolate & orange pudding (ve) (chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream)
- Green apple sorbet*(ve)
- Tiramisu‡(v) (mascarpone, whipped cream, Amaretto, sponge fingers, espresso, cocoa)

Add coffee and mini mince pie for £1.50 extra per person.

£10 deposit per person

‡Contains alcohol
(*) non-gluten option available

FESTIVE MENU - 2 courses

£34.50 per person

STARTERS

SWEET POTATO, SAGE & NUTMEG SOUP
Toasted seeds, olive oil, malted bloomer

BRIE & CRANBERRY TART
Tracklements apple & cider brandy chutney, herb oil, balsamic reduction, rocket

KING PRAWN & AVOCADO SALAD
Baby gem lettuce, diced tomato, cucumber, Sriracha cocktail sauce, malted bloomer, butter

WHIPPED CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT
Tracklements red onion marmalade, toasted malted bloomer, butter

MAINS

All served with seasonal vegetables and roast parsnips

ROAST TURKEY
Sweet onion & cranberry stuffing, Old Spot sausage wrapped in smoked bacon, roast potatoes, red wine gravy

SHREDDED PRESSED BEEF
Caramelised onions, red wine sauce, buttered mash

BAKED SEABASS FILLET
Buttered baby potatoes, Champagne butter sauce

BEETROOT WELLINGTON
Roasted roots, hassleback potatoes, red wine gravy

PUDDINGS

MAC’S STRONGHART CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Brandy sauce, strawberry

CHOCOLATE, ALMOND & PISTACHIO TORTE
Chocolate sauce, toasted pistachios, vegan vanilla ice-cream

PASSIONFRUIT MARTINI MESS
Vodka infused cream, mango puree, (add shot of prosecco £1)

LEMON TART
Shortcrust pastry, cherry compote, whipped vanilla cream

FESTIVE MENU - 3 courses

£40 per person

Prices

Monday

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

The Backstage basement is available for hire weekdays until 5pm and Thursday evenings. Hire is possible outside of these times with sufficient notice. Please get in touch if you have a specific date in mind.

Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.

Tuesday

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Wednesday

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Thursday

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Friday

12:00 – 23:00

from £3000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £3000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Saturday

12:00 – 23:00

from £3000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £3000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Sunday

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000 min. spend

Per day

12:00 – 23:00

from £2000

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Pricing updated by venue 8 months ago

Pricing rated as accurate by 2 verified users

Capacity

Standing

up to 100

Dining

up to 75

Catering and drinks

Facilities

Air conditioning

Microphone

Piano

Exclusive Bar

PA and sound desk

Parking available

Music & sound equipment

Accessibility

Rules of the space

Allowed events

Age policy

Guests under 18 are not allowed after 19:00

Reviews and ratings

(16 reviews and ratings - )

About The Spice of Life - Soho

It is thought that there has been a tavern on the site of The Spice of Life since around 1750, although its present incarnation was built in 1898.

It was known then as The Cantons, and this name can still be seen in the building's stonework as well as on the flags held by the rooftop gargoyles overlooking Cambridge Circus.

The tavern underwent a few name changes over the next 80 years, becoming The George and 13 Cantons, The Scots Hoose, and then finally The Spice of Life in 1986, when McMullen (the Hertford Brewers) became the owners. The Spice of Life is apparently a reference to a line in the William Cowper poem ‘Task' …variety's the very spice of life / that gave it all it's flavour…”.

As well as being a listed building, The Spice of Life also has an esteemed musical heritage.

In the 1960's and 1970's The Scots Hoose (as it was called then) was a popular venue for folk musicians, and saw many great acts of the time, such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Bert Jansch, The Strawbs and Sandy Denny performing here.

Then in the heyday of punk in the late 70's The Spice of Life became a regular haunt for many punk musicians and followers, including The Sex Pistols.

In the late 90's a thriving Jazz Club started up at The Spice, and has attracted many top acts, such as Jamie Cullum, Soweto Kinch, Darius Brubeck & Daryl Sherman.