Raymond Revuebar, Soho, London 1977

The Raymond Revuebar was a famous and iconic strip club and theatre located in Soho, London, that played a key role in the city’s nightlife and adult entertainment scene from the 1950s through the 1990s.

Location and Background

• Address: 11–13 Walker’s Court, Soho, London W1

• Area: Soho, a district in the City of Westminster, central London

• Opened: 1958

• Founder: Paul Raymond, a British entrepreneur known as the “King of Soho”

History and Significance

Paul Raymond opened the venue as the first strip club in Soho, transforming what had been a small theatre into a glamorous revue bar featuring topless dancers and burlesque shows. Over the decades, the Raymond Revuebar became synonymous with Soho’s risqué nightlife and the wider sexual revolution in Britain.

• The club featured variety acts, comedy, and striptease performances, blending entertainment with adult content.

• It attracted celebrities, tourists, and Londoners alike, becoming a cultural landmark of Soho’s swinging and sometimes seedy reputation.

• The venue was also linked with Raymond’s wider business empire, which included magazines, nightclubs, and other adult entertainment venues.

Architecture and Interior

The building itself was modest but became famous for its intimate atmosphere, decorated with plush seating, mirrored walls, and a well-lit stage. Its narrow entrance on Walker’s Court gave way to a labyrinth of rooms and bars, creating a unique theatrical experience.

Decline and Closure

The Raymond Revuebar operated until 2004, when changing tastes, stricter licensing laws, and redevelopment pressures led to its closure. The site was later converted into a pub and restaurant, but the legacy of the Raymond Revuebar lives on in the history of Soho’s entertainment district.

Cultural Impact

The club is often referenced in discussions about the liberalisation of British society in the 1960s and beyond. It played a role in shifting attitudes towards sexuality and public entertainment and remains a symbol of Soho’s colorful and sometimes controversial past.