The Toucan

"Disappearing into The Toucan for a Guinness is one of the best ways to spend time in Soho. The two levels of this 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’. The bar at street level fills up fast, so we prefer taking the narrow staircase down to the cosy basement." - sinead cranna

"Rarely without a crowd spilling all over Carlisle Street come 5pm, The Toucan is a Soho den that’s seen many a face lose a midweek afternoon to one Guinness too many. There’s memorabilia all over the walls, fraying posters, green tinsel, and Guinness paraphernalia everywhere you look. Upstairs can get a little sardine-like after everyone’s finished work, so we opt for the secluded basement." - jake missing

"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." - Sinéad Cranna