Blood Brothers has been playing in the west end for over 20 years now. It has been at the Phoenix Theatre, I think for almost 15 years. The play its self is a classic, well written, fun, thought provoking musical. The downside to the play being at the same theatre for such a long time, is that the set looks old and the whole show could do with a revamp. Though I have to admit that recently I popped in and watched around 30mins of the show and this is the strongest cast I have seen in a long time. it’s a great family show and I would tell anyone to go at see it at lest once.

A frequent location to end up in when with anyone who considers themselves involved in ‘the arts’.

It’s very old school, and I’m sure it hasn’t been decorated since the Festival of Britain. This basement bar under the Phoenix theatre is the perfect environment for spotting people who think they should be celebrities.

The manager is a character, but altogether a rather good sort.

A popular haunt for those who bat for differing sides. There were a lot of feather boas going on last night.

Headshots of vaguely famous performers adorn the walls over the bar, with lots of old school theatre paraphernalia all over all the other walls.

Open late and good for practising your schmoozing abilities. It does have its downsides though. It feels like a pretty weird place to me and suffers from a faint stench of desperation.

If you're looking for a bar that doesn't get too crowded after work on a Thursday or a Friday, smack bang in the middle of the West End then then head to the Phoenix Bar. It's a members bar but they only start asking for proof of membership after 9 or 10pm so you should be ok until then and you can always blag yourself in if you try hard enough.

It's under the Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road and the entrance is on the side of the building so it's not obvious to all the passing tourists, plus it's quite spacious downstairs so you can usually find a seat if you're there early enough. The bar gets plenty of 'characters' thanks to the luvvy/actor/theatre/showbiz crowd it attracts, and the guy who runs the place is worth tracking down (you'll recognise him by the huge painting of him inside the bar!), if you get him drunk enough he might just start doing a song and dance number on the bar!

The Phoenix is open late too and they do food, so it covers all bases. One to put on your list for next time someone says 'where should we go now?'.

Probably the most low-key members bar in London, get there before 11.00pm otherwise you'll probably struggle to get in... open till 4am most nights.... Nice and dark... and those lucky members have an even darker members's area!!

I hear the bar was renamed The Noel Coward Bar in 1969.....(??)

Entrance to the bar is on Phoenix Street.

BLOOD BROTHERS, written by the legendary Willy Russell, tells the capitivating and mysterious tale of twins who were seperated at birth. The moving and graphic depiction of how they grew up on the differing sides of life kept me gripped to my seat-it was so interesting that I did not want to miss a moment of the play.
The brothers eventually do meet up when they are a lot older with very tragic consequences. The musical score includes many musical numbers like Bright New Day,Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged song Tell Me Its Not True.
Blood Brothers has been hailed as one of the best musicals in London, picking up awards 4 awards for the Best Musical and 7 Tony Awards nominations on Broadway. At present the show is in its 20th year and I think it will be staying for a lot longer.