Backstage Basement at The Spice of Life - Soho
Basement in a Pub
·
Private space
17 reviews
–
6 Moor Street, London, W1D5NA
–
Leicester Square Station (0.2 mi)
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
Christmas Party Offers
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
- 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
- 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
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
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
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
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
Prices
Monday
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
Per day
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
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.
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
min. spend
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.
Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.
Wednesday
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
Per day
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
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.
Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.
Thursday
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
Per day
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
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.
Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.
Friday
12:00 –
23:00
from
£3000
min. spend
Per day
12:00 –
23:00
from
£3000
min. spend
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.
Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.
Saturday
12:00 –
23:00
from
£3000
min. spend
Per day
12:00 –
23:00
from
£3000
min. spend
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.
Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.
Sunday
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
Per day
12:00 –
23:00
from
£2000
min. spend
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.
Our venue is available EVERY DAY in December.
Pricing updated by venue 9 months ago
Pricing rated as accurate by 1 verified user
Capacity
Standing
up to 100
Dining
up to 75
Catering and drinks
In-house catering
External catering not allowed
Venue provides alcohol
BYO alcohol not allowed
Facilities
Music & sound equipment
Own music allowed
Bring your own DJ
Noise restriction
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Rules of the space
Allowed events
Promoted and ticketed events
Wedding licence
Temporary event notices (TENs) available
Age policy
Guests under 18 are not allowed after 19:00
Reviews and ratings
(17 reviews and ratings - )
LT
Lissy T.
December 2024
Christmas Party · 50 guests
We recently hosted our Christmas party at this venue, and while the overall experience had some positives, the buffet was extremely disappointing. At £30 per person, we expected a substantial and satisfying spread for our 50 guests. However, the buffet did not live up to expectations. The food portions were very limited, with only one small piece of food per dish per person, which left many of us still hungry by the end of the event. This hardly resembled what we expected from a buffet, especially considering the price.
On a positive note, the staff were excellent. They were very hands-on, helping us set up the venue and preparing drinks at the bar quickly. Their attentiveness was definitely appreciated and made the overall experience better, but the lack of food quality and quantity was a major letdown.
I would recommend this venue if you're looking for a well-organized event with great service, but be cautious if you're planning a buffet. The food offering did not justify the cost, and unfortunately, that took away from what should have been a great night.
Would I return? Possibly, but I’d look into alternative food options first.
What I disliked the most was the buffet. For £30 per person, we expected a much larger and more satisfying spread for our 50 guests. The portions were extremely limited, with only one small piece of food per dish per person. By the end of the event, many of us were still hungry. This was far from what we expected from a buffet, especially at that price point. The food quality and quantity were definitely a letdown and did not match the cost of the event.
4.1
AA
Abigail A.
December 2023
Xmas Party · 50 guests
Very responsive team and very accommodating. Very nice team and helped us with everything we needed on the night. Great place for a party.
5.0
EF
Elisabeth F.
December 2023
Pub · 70 guests
Great venue for a party. Bar staff were very good and the band excellent
The food served on the day was not great
4.4
JK
Julia K.
January 2024
Christmas Dinner · 80 guests
4.1
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.
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